How grants and funding work

What is a community grant?

A community grant is money paid to an individual, community group or organisation to help them achieve something important and worthwhile.

How does Glen Eira give out community grants?

We allocate funding for our Community Grants Program in our annual budget. This program offers grants to support not-for-profit community groups and organisations deliver various projects,activities and events that provide meaningful social impact and respond to community need.

• The program aims to:strengthen community connections and collaborations
• develop an accessible and inclusive community
• encourage community initiatives that promote self-sufficiency and innovation
• help strengthen community capacity to plan and implement services
• celebrate diversity  and participation in community life
• contribute to sustainability and climate change action
• build and strengthen good governance practices;
• encourage participation in arts and cultural activities
• increase volunteering and extend the reach of community programs

Are there different grants?

Yes, there is a Community Grants Program that offers two funding streams, Community Strengthening Grants — up to $3,000 and Partnership and Events Grants — up to $10,000 and is open for applications at a specific time each year. 

Community Strengthening Grants are suited to small local community groups run by volunteers to:

• build capacity of organisations and provide training and development initiatives
• enhance current localised services
• provide community-based projects
• increase social connection and participation in local activities
• support and delivery of small events (under 250 attendees) that are accessible to the broader Glen Eira community
• increase skills, knowledge and leadership in the community.

Partnership and Events Grants are suited to not-for-profit organisations who have a broad community focus to:

• support new and existing partnerships to deliver collaborative projects
• plan and deliver large festivals or events (more than 250 attendees) that are accessible to the broader Glen Eira community
• create new and innovative projects
• deliver  services that meet existing and emerging community needs

support civic participation and celebrate diversity in the community. There is also the Facility Hire Grants Program, up to $7,500 that provides in-kind grants where Council covers the cost of hiring a Council facility.

A Small Grants Program is available on an ongoing basis and provides a source of funding that can respond quickly to the needs of groups, including urgent and unexpected events, matching funding from other sources and trying new ideas and activities.

Senior Citizens Centre Allocations grants are available to groups that utilise Councils Senior Citizens Centres to contribute towards operational and governance costs to assist Clubs to deliver core activities. Application for these grants is by invitation.

What can I use grants for?

Some of our most common reasons for applying for grants include:

• implementing a project or activity
• developing a new service
• hiring one of our facilities to run a meeting, event or program
• organising a festival or event

How do I apply for a grants?

Grants are available online via our SmartyGrants page.

Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Visit SmartyGrants
2. Select the relevant form (there are several to choose from, depending on the type of grant you're applying for).
3. Preview the application form (optional)
4. Choose Start a submissionby selecting ‘Login’ for your existing account or ‘Register’ for a new account. Use your organisation’s email address and create a password when you register.

Once registered, you can login and start an application. SmartyGrants allows you to save your progress and return to your application later, and also to upload supporting documents.

FAQs

How are grants assessed?
Applications are assessedby Council Officers and recommendations to Council are made by the Community Grants Advisory Committee which consists of three Councillor representatives.

How do I know if we are successful?
All applicants will receive a letter (via email) notifying them of the outcome of their application. Each program has different assessment periods. We encourage you to contact a Community Strengthening s Officer to find out the status of your application.

Do I need to acquit my grants?
Yes, each program has its own conditions on acquitting a grant. Recipients of a grant will be provided with an acquittal form and due date.