Support for Grant Applicants

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.

You can join the grants mailing list for updates.

Community Grant Information Sessions

Key application dates

All year-round grants

Annual grants

  • 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

    Next Round
    Applications open: 1 January 2025
    Applications close: 28 February 2025
    Notification: May / June 2025
    Anticipated payment of funding:  June 2025 
    Project and funding start date: 1 July 2025

    Find out more about this category on our Annual Grants page.

    Read the Community Grant Guidelines (PDF b751kb).

  • 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 2025
    Applications close: 28 February 2025
    Notification: May / June 2025
    Anticipated payment of funding:  June 2025
    Anticipated payment for first year 1 of funding:  June 2025
    Funding term 3 years: 1 July 2025 - 30 June 2028

    Find out more about this category on our Annual Grants page.

    Read the Community Grant Program Guidelines (PDF 751kb).

  • 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. Funding amount: Up to $10,000 per project

    Plans, permits or site audits may be required, depending on the project.

    Next Rounds
    2025
    Applications open: 1 January 2025
    Applications close: 28 February 2025
    Notification: May / June 2025
    Anticipated payment of funding:  June 2025
    Funding term 12 months: 1 July 2025 - 30 June 2026

    Find out more about this category on our Annual Grants page.

    Read the Community Grant Program Guidelines (PDF 751kb).
    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  for 2025-2026 has now closed
    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. 

    • The next round is 2026-2027 and the timelines are: 

      Expressions of interest (EOI's):

      • Expression of Interest submissions for 2026-2027 to open: 1 August 2025 and will close 10 October 2025. 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.

    For 2025-2026 applications progressed to Stage 2
    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 Grant Guidelines (PDF 751kb).
    Read the Facility Improvement Manual (PDF).

Talk with a Council Officer  

  • 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.

     

  • 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.

  • 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  

    • 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,

    Contact us for assistance.

Other people that can help and support

  • 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.

  • Information sessions and workshops: We offer information sessions and workshops. Click here for session dates and bookings.

  • 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). 

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.