Community Grants

Northern Grampians Shire Council is seeking suitable applications from local community not for profit groups and organisations to support projects that contribute towards outcomes that result in: 

  • Increased social connectedness for all Northern Grampians Shire residents. 
  • Creation of safe environments that are inclusive of the growing diversity across communities in the Northern Grampians Shire 
  • Positive impacts to physical health, mental health, and wellbeing
  • Greater sustainability of community groups and assets.

Round 2 Grant Priorities

Do you need some funds to hold an activity, provide some training, expand your groups promotional opportunities and media presence, or improve your groups facilities. This round of the Community Grants Program will enable your group to do all those things and more as it aims to support initiatives that:

  • Enable residents to have the opportunity to be socially connected. 
  • Support local communities to increase their resilience to disasters. 
  • Enable community groups to build on their membership. 
  • Support community groups to improve their facilities or enhance their place/space. 
  • Establish initiatives that specifically promote Gender Equality and invest in advancing women.

Available funding

Applications for Community Grants can be up to $5,000. 

Information sessions and support 

Sessions 

  • Stawell: 13 March at 6pm in the foyer at the Stawell Town Hall
  • St Arnaud: 18 March at 6:15pm in the Perry Room at the St Arnaud Town Hall

Drop in for a chat 

  • Stawell: 25 March between 8am and 6:30pm in the in the foyer of the Stawell Town Hall
  • St Arnaud: 27 March between 8am and 5:30pm in the Community Room at the St Arnaud Town Hall

Ongoing support 

  • Contact Rachel Whittaker on 03 5358 0512 or at community@ngshire.vic.gov.au

Eligibility

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for Community Grant funding, applicants are required to: 

  • Be a not for profit or incorporated body with an ABN or be auspiced by a not for profit or incorporated body with an ABN and able to provide documentation demonstrating the auspice agreement.  

  • Be based in, or demonstrate their project has a direct benefit to the residents of, Northern Grampians Shire. 

  • Be able to demonstrate financial viability and competence. 

  • Not already receiving substantial support from council. 

  • Be able to demonstrate compliance with the council’s regulatory requirements.  

  • Provide evidence of Liability Insurance. Events, activities, or construction that have a likelihood of causing damage or personal injury must have public liability insurance (of at least $20 million). Other amounts will be considered where there is no likelihood of damage or injury. 

Applicants will not be eligible if:
  • Organisations or groups are based outside the Northern Grampians Shire, unless the project can be proven to still have benefit to residents of Northern Grampians Shire.  

  • Applicants have already received substantial grants funding within the same financial year. 

  • Applicants are an individual applying for funds.  

  • Funds are contributing towards operating costs e.g., wages/utilities. 

  • The funding is clearly the responsibility of spheres of other Government i.e., Department of Health & Human Services or Department of Education. 

  • Projects duplicate other locally available services or resources.  

  • The project or initiative has commenced prior to the date on which the funds are released.  

  • Applications are for ongoing or recurrent funding. 

  • Previous funding received from council has not been acquitted satisfactorily. 

Resources

Writing a grant application can be daunting. The following documents and information will assist you with the grant writing process:  

Helpful Hints for Grant Writing(PDF, 183KB)

Community Grants Auspice Agreement(PDF, 101KB)

Community Grants Auspice Agreement(DOCX, 121KB)

Project Plan Template(PDF, 126KB)

Apply

Application Form

Before submitting your application, it is helpful if you:

  1. Check that you meet the eligibility criteria.
  2. Speak to a member of the council's Community Development Team to ensure you are applying for the most suitable grant.
  3. Read the program guidelines to understand the application process and your obligations. 
  4. Read through the 2023-24 Community Grant Round 2 Application Form(PDF, 137KB) preview  

     

If you are ready to apply, please fill out this application form 2023/24 Community Grants Round 2 

Acquittal

Acquittal 

The appropriate acquittal form will be available in your Smarty Grants account once you have received your funds. The form is due one month after the specified completion date detailed in your application form.