All Year Round Grants

All year round grants provides funding to support initiatives that help residents participate in community life and improve personal outcomes. 

Open for applications all year.  Applications for community participation projects and events must be submitted at least 4 weeks prior to the planned activity or event.

To apply online go to our grants website to complete and submit the application form.

Community Participation Grant - for individuals

Support to individuals who are residents of Merri-bek that have been selected to pursue an achievement and / or development activity in their chosen area of expertise. Funding up to $750.

  • Supports individuals to attend development
    opportunities and access to programs and activities such as:
    • Helping an individual to participate in an
    event or activity such as, artist/cultural events,
    sporting competitions
    • Opportunities to participate in State, National
    and international forums that will bring new
    skills and knowledge to the Merri-bek
    community
    • Leadership and professional development
    opportunities that will help build leadership
    capacity of the Merri-bek community.

  • Applications are open during the financial year for this grant category until funds are expended.

    Applications must be submitted at least four weeks prior to the planned activity.

  • Funding up to $750 can be funded

  • Applicant must:

    • be a resident of Merri-bek
    • show that they have been invited to participate in an activity by an organisation or group
    • show that there are financial barriers to participating in the activity
    • demonstrate a strong commitment to their area of endeavour
    • show the benefit of your activity to the Merri-bek community

  • • Travel costs expenses to the activity
    • Costs to participation (e.g. Transport, disability support, interpreters)
    • Equipment, materials or uniforms directly related to being able participate in the development activity.
    • Registration fees for the activity.

     

    • Applications for coaches and trainers
    • Activities where there has been no selection process to participate
    • Activities that are part of ongoing activities i.e. activites that are part of education; school, tertiary and TAFE studies cannot be funded)
    • Read more What we wont fund.

    For further information on the grants programs, and what will and won't be funded view the Community Grants Guidelines (PDF).

  • Applications can be submitted at any time of the year at least four weeks before the planned activity.

    To apply online go to our SmartyGrants applicant page: https://merri-bek.smartygrants.com.au/

Community Participation Grant - for groups

Community groups and organisations needing support with quick response funding for programs and activities designed to build participation in the community includes projects that fall outside of the annual grants timeframes. Funding up to $3,000.

  • Community groups and organisations needing support with quick response funding for smaller once-off activities or projects or programs designed to build participation in the community includes projects that fall outside of the annual grants timeframes. Support priority communities to be healthier and participate in community life, including:

    • Community events
    • Leadership and development activities
    • Once off - training and capacity building of the group.
    • Sports programs
    • Community projects (e.g. sustainability, social inclusion, health promotion, participation etc)
    • Relevant equipment that has long term relevance to the organisation / community
    • Establishment of a new group. Read more about incorporation in Frequently Asked Question 

     

     

    • Open for applications all year round
    • Applications are open for this grant category until funds are expended.
    • Applications must be submitted at least four weeks prior to the planned activity.

  • Up to $3,000 can be funded.

    • Applications are accepted throughout the year until funds are exhausted.
    • Applications must be submitted at least 4 weeks prior to the activity or
      event
    • Once submited applicants will be notified of the outcome within 3-4 weeks.

  • Organisations, groups and clubs

    • Be a Not-for-Profit community group, organisation or club,
    • Be incorporated or auspiced by another incorporated organisation,
    • Have adequate public liability insurance,
    • Have acquitted previous Council grants and have no outstanding debts to Council,
    • Be able to supply financial statements and requested supporting documentation,
    • Ensure the proposed activity is consistent with Local, State and Federal laws.

    Funding will be prioritised for activities which support for residents from at least one of these communities:

    • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities,
    • Migrant and refugee communities
    • People with disability,
    • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual plus, Transgender and gender diverse, Intersex, Queer, Asexual and Aromantic communities (LGBTIQA+),
      • Women,
      • Youth,
      • Children,
      • Seniors.

  • • Temporary staff costs to implement the project (e.g. project worker, instructor etc.)
    • Printing, advertising, translation, promotional activities
    • Equipment or community venue/meeting room hire (up to $500)
    • Costs to encourage participation (e.g. Transport, disability support, interpreters)
    • Catering and refreshments (up to $300)
    • Volunteer expenses
    • Small equipment that is useful long term to the community and is needed for the project and aligns with the Community Grants Objectives (Up to $500)
    • Communications, media, advertising and marketing.

    Yes the limits set out as above will be adhered to in the assessment process, it is encouraged that project expenses across spread across other costs.  Unfortunately we cannot place flexibility for the above set limits.

  • Funding may not be used for:

    • Projects that do not align with the Community Grant Program Principles and Objectives
    • Fundraising activities/ projects that are for general fundraising and fundraising events, competitions, trophies, prizes or awards.
    • Permanent public art installations
    • Projects that have already started or have been completed.
    • Activities that are part of an organisation’s regular programming or that duplicate an existing program
    • Items that are part of an organisation’s core business or normal operating expenses e.g. salaries, insurances, utilities, rental of business premises.
    • Projects that are the funding responsibility of other levels of government.
    • Privately-owned, for-profit businesses.
    • Further information on the grants program, what we won't fund view the Community Grants Program Guidelines (PDF1.2Kb).

  • Applications can be submitted at any time of the year at least 4 weeks before the planned activity.

    To apply online go to our Smarty Grants website to complete and submit the application form.

    Our page on applying for community grants provides further details about the application process and information around reporting and other requirements for grant recipients. 

    Read more useful information Frequently Asked Questions.

Membership Activity Grants

Supports Merri-bek based community groups incorporated community groups who meet on a regular basis to address issues of isolation and promote active community involvement. Funding up to $3,000 per year for 3 years.

  • Supports Merri-bek based incorporated community groups who meet on a regular basis to address issues of isolation and promote active community involvement.

    This grant category funds groups which have a substantial proportion of their membership base living in Merri-bek and can support expenses associated with membership activities such as transport costs, refreshments, insurance, dinners and general day-to-day expenses.

    Community Grants Program guidelines (PDF 1.2Kb) provides further information about this grant category.

    To apply online go to our grants website to complete and submit an application.

  • Applications are open during the financial year for this grant category until funds are expended.

  • Funding up to $3000

    • $2000 for groups with up to 20 members
    • $2500 for groups with 21 to 60 members
    • $3000 for groups with over 60 members

    Funding levels allocated are based on: the membership numbers as above; the level of in-kind support from Council;  the groups limited ability to fund expenses; and activities offered to members. e.g. free use of Council facility, exercise classes.

  • Funding is for 3 years.

    Payment is annually - up to $3,000 is paid each financial year, a total of $9,000 over 3 years.

  • Organisations, groups and clubs

    • Be a Not-for-Profit community group, organisation or club,
    • Be incorporated or auspiced by another incorporated organisation,
    • Have adequate public liability insurance,
    • Have acquitted previous Council grants and have no outstanding debts to Council,
    • Be able to supply financial statements and requested supporting documentation,
    • Ensure the proposed activity is consistent with Local, State and Federal laws.

    Community groups must:

    • Meet regularly in Merri-bek
    • Address Community Grants Objectives and Funding Priorities
    • Provide activities to members that support health and wellbeing, such as social or active programs
    • Provide evidence of membership and that it meets in Merri-bek.
    • Must complete an acquittal every year to show how the organisation is operating.

  • Costs that support activities of member:

    • Guest speakers, classes, workshops
    • Social outings (e.g. bus hire)
    • Consumables and supplies e.g. refreshments, tea & coffee,  activity materials
    • Special events (e.g., social lunches, end of year celebrations
    • Administration; rent, utilities, insurance, governance costs
    • Volunteer expenses
    • Small equipment that is useful long term to the group
    • Communications, media, advertising and marketing.

  • To apply online go to our grants website https://merri-bek.smartygrants.com.au to complete and submit the application form.

    Our page on applying for community grants provides further details about the application process and information around reporting and other requirements for grant recipients.

Successful grants for 2022-2023

  • Funding Up to $750

    Recipient Endeavour Amount
    Harrison Hall Yokohama Performing Arts YPAM event $450
    Leanne Mitchell 2022 FISU University World Cup Cheerleading $750
    Paraskevi (artist name Freda) Drakopoulos Affirmations of the Personal $650
    Samuel McGilp Yokohama Performing Arts YPAM event $450
    Yuiko Masukawa Yokohama Performing Arts YPAM event $450

  • Funding up to $3,000

    Applicant Project Title Amount 
    CALD Voices Barriers of CALD Women Writers  $3,000
    Casa Cultura Inc. Fiesta Junina event in June 2023  $3,000
    Laneway Learning Ltd Queer Social Brunswick  $3,000
    Moreland Community Gardening Inc. Moreland Community Garden Essential Equipment to improve gardens accessibility and sustainability  $2,845
    Mossfolk Incorporated Mossfolk Pop Up  $2,420
    Plus Sport Victoria Inc Come and play!  $3,000
    Yoruba Heritage and Cultural Association of Victoria Inc YORUBA Day Annual Festival  $3,000

  • Funding up to $3,000 per year for 3 years.

    Groups funded for years 2022/23 to 2025/26

    Recipient  Annual Amount Over 3 years
    Alexandrians Friendship Social Club Inc  $2,500  $7,500
    Arabic Womens Group  $2,500  $7,500
    Associazione Arma Aeronautical  $2,000  $6,000
    Australian Chaldean Family Welfare Assoc. Inc  $2,500  $7,500
    Circolo Pensionati Italiani di Merlynston  $2,500  $7,500
    Circolo Pensionati Italiani Di Moreland  $2,500  $7,500
    Circolo Pensionati Italiani Di Pascoe Vale Inc  $2,000  $6,000
    Glenroy Art Group Incorporated  $2,500  $7,500
    Glenroy Greek Elderly Club  $2,000  $6,000
    Glenroy Ladies Probus Club Inc  $2,500  $7,500
    Gowanbrae Residents Group  $2,500  $7,500
    Greek Elderly Citizens Club of Coburg and Pascoe Vale $3,000  $9,000
    Italian Senior Citizen Club of Coburg  $2,500  $7,500
    Italian Women's Health Group Fawkner/ Campbellfield Inc  $2,500  $7,500
    Marinai D'Italia Gruppo M.O.V.M Stefano Pugliese Inc  $2,500  $7,500
    Moreland Italian Women's Group  $2,000  $6,000
    Moreland Maltese Senior Citizens Pension  $2,500  $7,500
    Pakistan Seniors Association  $3,000  $9,000
    Samos Island Seniors Friendly Group Incorporated  $2,000  $6,000
    Senior Citizens Group for the Greek Orthodox Parish of St Eleftherios Brunswick  $3,000  $9,000
    St Bernards Out Of School Hours Care Inc.  $3,000  $9,000
    The Australian Association of Kastorians Inc  $3,000  $9,000
    The Australian Greek Orthodox Community of Moreland  $3,000  $9,000
    The Rotary Club of Coburg Inc  $2,500  $7,500
    U3A Moreland Inc University of the Third Age  $3,000  $9,000
    Unione Nazionale Suttefficialiitaliani In Congedo Inc  $2,500  $7,500