Support for Grant Applicants
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Support for Grant Applicants
The Merri-bek Community Grants Program gives financial support to community led initiatives and collaborative projects that demonstrates multiple benefits and focuses directly on the Merri-bek community.
This grants program is targeted at not-for-profit incorporated community groups or groups auspiced by another incorporated organisation.
Free training for volunteers is available to volunteer-led committees and community groups in Merri-bek, the training is completed online at a time convenient to you. Read more and register here to get started.
Community Grant Information Sessions
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Held at Coburg Civic Centre - 90 Bell Street Coburg
- Thursday 7 December at 10.30am - cancelled
- Thursday 18 January at 2pm
- Contact us if you would like us to schedule an in-person session. E-mail communitygrants@merri-bek.vic.gov.au
Book your place at any of the above sessions at our Eventbrite page
Sessions run for approximately 1 hour with time for questions at the end of the session.
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Online sessions (via Zoom)
2024
- Wednesday 10 January at 5pm
- Tuesday 30 January at 11am
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Wednesday 14 February at 5pm
- Tuesday 27 February at 11am
- Wednesday 13 March at 5pm
- Tuesday 26 March at 11am
- Wednesday 10 April at 5pm
- Tuesday 30 April at 11am
- Wednesday 8 May at 5pm
- Tuesday 28 May at 11am
- Wednesday 12 June at 5pm
- Tuesday 25 June at 11am
Book your place at any of the above sessions at our Eventbrite page
Regular Info Sessions:
Last Tuesday of each Month at 11 am
Second Wednesday of each month - evening sessionPlease Note: No session will be held on Tuesday 26 December due to a public holiday.
Session timing
Sessions run for approximately one hour with time for questions at the end of the session.- Contact us if you would like us to schedule a session. E-mail communitygrants@merri-bek.vic.gov.au
Key application dates
All year-round grants
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To support 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.
Up to $750
Application Dates: Applications are open during the financial year for this grant category until funds are expended.
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This funding aims to support one-off community led initiatives that help residents participate in community life.
Applications dates: Applications are open all year until funds are expended. Applications must be submitted at least four weeks prior to the planned activity.
Funding up to $3,000
Read more about the Community Participation Grant category
Read the Community Grants Program Guidelines PDF 1.2KB.
- Open for applications are open all year round.
- Applicants will be notified of outcome in 4-6 weeks after application is submitted.
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Supports Merri-bek based community groups community groups who meet on a regular basis to address issues of isolation and promote active community involvement.
Application Dates: Applications are open during the financial year for this grant category until funds are expended.
Funding up to $3,000 per year for 3 years.
Annual grants
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To support projects that enhance the Merri-bek Community and aim to address areas such as social inclusion and community participation, environmental sustainability, healthy and active living and creating vibrant spaces.
Funding amount: Up to $7,000
Applications open: 1 January 2024
Applications close: 26 February 2024
Notification: May 2024
Anticipated payment of funding: June 2024
Project and funding start date: 1 July 2024Find out more about this category on our Annual Grants page.
Read the Community Guidelines (PDF).
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To support newly established organisations or groups over three years, to grow and become independent.
Next Round
Funding amount: Up to $10,000 per annum for 3 years
Applications open: 1 January 2024
Applications close: 26 February 2024
Notification: May 2024
Anticipated payment of funding: June 2024
Anticipated payment for first year 1 of funding: June 2024
Funding term 3 years: 1 July 2024 - 30 June 2027Find out more about this category on our Annual Grants page.
Read the Community Guidelines (PDF).
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This funding supports changes to community facilities or assets that will help community members participate more in community life. Priority is given to community-led projects that increase community access and participation, demonstrate collaboration between groups and result in greater use of facilities.
Plans, permits or site audits may be required, depending on the project.
Next Round
Funding amount: Up to $10,000 per project
Applications open: 1 January 2024
Applications close: 26 February 2024
Notification: May 2024
Anticipated payment of funding: June 2024
Funding term 12 months: 1 July 2024 - 30 June 2025Find out more about this category on our Annual Grants page.
Read the Community Guidelines (PDF).
Read the Facility Improvement Manual (PDF). -
To support larger improvements to facilities that will help local people participate more in community life. This is a two stage process.
This category typically requires planning and building permits to proceed. Applicant must contribute 25% of total value of project.
Funded Amount: Up to $40,000
Stage 1
Expressions of Interest- Applicants must submit an Expression of interest via our Smarty Grants pageduring open times to be considered eligible to submit a full application.
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The next round is 2025-2026 and the timelines are:
Expressions of interest (EOI's):
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Expression of Interest submissions for 2025-2026 to open: 1 August 2024 (anticipated date) and will close mid-October 2024.
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- An interview will be required for all EOI submissions and may be conducted within the EOI period. Otherwise we will assign you Council officers after the EOI's close in mid-October.
Full application
If deemed eligible to Stage two, a full application will be accepted between and include all information such as full quoting, final schematic plans, permits, permissions and site audits.- Eligible applicants progressed to Stage 2 are to submit a full application from 1 January to 28 February 2025.
- Notification of full application outcome is May 2025.
Successful applications
- Implementation documents are due June 2025.
- Funding payment by installment - first payment 80%: June 2025
- Agreement start date: 1 July 2025
- Project must start from 1 July 2025 and finish before 30 June 2026.
- Final payment (20%) after completion of project and submission of completed Evaluaion and Acquittal.
Find out more about this category on our Annual Grants page.
Read the Community Guidelines (PDF).
Read the Facility Improvement Manual (PDF).
Talk with a Council Officer
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Test your idea: Speak to one of our staff about your application. They can help to develop your ideas and provide guidance on Council’s priorities.
- Contact us at communitygrants@moreland.vic.gov.au with a brief outline of your idea and the grants team will respond and connect you with the most appropriate Council officer to speak with about your funding idea.
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Language Link is a telephone service that provides recorded information in nine common community languages: Arabic, Cantonese, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Mandarin, Punjabi, Turkish and Vietnamese.
It also provides trained interpreters to help residents and staff talk to each other in any language.
The Victorian Interpreting and Translating Service (VITS) runs the Language Link service for Merri-bek Council.
Contact us to use this service.
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If you are deaf or have difficulty with hearing or speech, you can use the National Relay Service to contact Council.
National Relay Service 1300 555 727. Ask for 9240 1111. Read more on their website here.
Guidelines and forms in other formats
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- Other languages: We can offer the application form and guidelines in other languages, as well as translation services. Contact us to receive an application form in another language.
- Other formats: We offer printed paper-based applications for those that need them.
- Technical difficulties? If you have any technical challenges with your online application,
Other people that can help and support
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Council suggests speaking with your closest Neighbourhood House that can provide additional support to groups that work with migrant and refugee groups.
View more information here.
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Information sessions and workshops: We offer information sessions and workshops. Click here for session dates and bookings.
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Auspice organisations: can provide support and help to unincorporated organisations applying to this program. Read Frequently Asked Questions for more about auspicing for your group and other information that may help you.
For further information about the grants program or to ask a question email the Grants Officer or speak with the relevant contact officer outlined in the Community Grants Program Guidelines (PDF). You can also join the grants mailing list for updates.
How to apply
See our Applying for community grants page for further details about the application process including information on reporting and other requirements for grant recipients.
View and apply for all funding opportunities online through the grants website.
Other funding opportunities
Arts Grants - We also have a range of funding opportunities for the creative sector including the Flourish Arts Recovery Program. Read more at our Arts Grants page.
Business Support - Funding advise and support for businesses, please visit our Business support and programs page or email Economic Development for advice about small business funding opportunities.