One-off Grants Round — Social Cohesion Grants

Key Dates

Applications Open: 26 February 2026

Information Session 1: 5 March 2026, 6:30–7:30 pm

Information Session 2: 11 March 2026, 1:30–2:30 pm

Applications Close: 26 March 2026

Assessment Stages: April-May 2026

Grant Recommendations: Early June 2026

Notification to Applicants: Early June 2026

Funding Distributed: 15-30 June 2026

Project Completion: by 31 December 2026

Acquittal Due: 15 January 2027

About

The focus of this program is on new projects and initiatives that support people in feeling safe, connected and healthy, and that foster diverse, welcoming and accessible Glen Eira spaces.

One-off grants of $5,000 to $10,000 are available to support free, publicly accessible activities and projects delivered within Glen Eira between July and December 2026, with all projects to be completed by 31 December 2026.

The Social Cohesion Grants program:

• enables community organisations to deliver public, place-based and community-led initiatives that bring people together in positive and meaningful ways;
• encourages projects, activations and dialogue-based events that activate local places, reduce barriers to participation and support civic engagement;
• supports initiatives that promote respectful, inclusive, accessible and connected communities, where people feel safe, healthy and supported; and
• encourages activities that strengthen social cohesion, promote inclusion, foster understanding across Glen Eira’s diverse communities, and build a sense of belonging and whole-of-community connection.

This is a competitive grants program, and not all applications will be successful.

Information Sessions

Presented by the Glen Eira Community Strengthening team, gain key insights into the program aims, learn how to develop high-level applications and ask questions.

Thursday, 5 March 2026, 6:30–7:30 pm

Via Zoom

Wednesday, 11 March 2026, 1:30pm–2:30 pm

Via Zoom

Eligibility

Who can apply?

To be eligible for funding, community groups and organisations must:

1. service the Glen Eira community;
2. are based in Glen Eira
3. be not-for-profit;
4. be incorporated;
5. have an ABN; and
6. hold Public Liability insurance (minimum $20 million)

If you do not meet these criteria, you are not eligible to apply.

Only one application per organisation will be accepted. If you submit more than one, we will only assess the first application.

Applications prepared by professional grant writers must be submitted by the applying organisation.

Who cannot apply?

• For-profit organisations.
• Individuals or sole traders
• Unincorporated associations.
• Organisations that have not met the terms and conditions of previous Council grants.
• Organisations that are the funding responsibility of other levels of government.
• Organisations whose sole or dominant purpose is of a political nature.
• Organisations or groups who meet outside of Glen Eira.
• Organisations in receipt of gaming machine revenue.
• Registered public and private schools, preschools, TAFE institutes and universities.

Funding

Grant funding will range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $10,000 per application. The Program is guided by Council's Community Grants Policy and is allocated funding through Council’s Annual Budget. This program is expected to be highly competitive - meaning not all applications will be successful.

For information on what will not be funded, please see the Social Cohesion Grants program guidelines.

Notification

All applicants will be advised of the decision regarding their application in early June 2026. A notification is sent via email to the primary contact listed on the application form.

Successful grant recipients

If your application is successful, you will be sent an Acceptance of Grant Conditions form via Smarty Grants with your notification email.

If you do not accept the offer within this time, Council may withdraw the grant.

Successful grant recipients may be asked to engage with the Council’s Community and Economic Development team during the lifespan of the project.