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.

Purpose of the program

Council recognises that running and sustaining local community groups and organisations can be challenging. Many groups have members who are getting older, and volunteers are not as easily found as they once were. Planning for a sustainable future and sourcing of larger amounts of funding can be assisted through the development of strategic plans.  

This round of the Community Grants Program has a community strengthening focus. These grants, in line with the program outcomes, will support initiatives that assist community groups to:  

  • Develop project planning and event management skills.  
  • Develop strategic plans (or business plan) for their groups.
  • Build their organisational capacity (e.g., develop operational skills, grant writing, web-site creation, volunteer training etc).  
  • Provide opportunities for inclusion, connection, and participation within the community for First Nations people, young people, older people, people living with a disability, LGBTIQ+, or migrant communities.

Availability

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

Grants opened on 27 September and close on 30 November 2023.

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 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(PDF, 101KB)

Community Grants Auspice agreement word.doc(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 application form preview. 

     

If you are ready to apply, please fill out the 2023/24 Community Grant application form.

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.   

 

Contact Us

Phone

03 5358 8772

Email

community@ngshire.vic.gov.au

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