Community Grants

Grant Objective

The objective of the Community Grants Program is to provide an opportunity for community groups and organisations to seek funds for projects and initiatives which align with Council Plan objectives and Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing objectives. These grants aim to support community connections, improve community health and wellbeing and social inclusion opportunities across the Indigo Shire. Council supports community groups with knowledge, skills and motivation to create positive change by funding projects that bring people together to upskill, share resources, and implement community solutions.

Grant Aims

• To provide an opportunity for community groups and organisations to seek funds for projects and initiatives which align with Council Plan objectives and Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing objectives highlighted below.
• Support community connections, improve community health and wellbeing and social inclusion opportunities across the Shire.
• Projects may include activities and resources which support positive social connection, inclusion, health, community arts, knowledge and skills sharing and cultural and environmental outcomes.

Application Process

Before you get started:

1. Read these Guidelines and check your eligibility.
2. Attend drop-in session to ask any questions about your application

How To apply:

Applications must be submitted online at www.indigoshire.vic.gov.au/Community/Grants

Please contact our Community Development Grants Team on 1300 365 003 if you require assistance to apply.

Key dates:

• Applications are open 1 July
• Applications close Monday 3 August at 4.00pm: Late applications will not be considered
• Applicants will be notified of assessment outcome in September

Eligibility Requirements

All applications must demonstrate alignment with:

• At least ONE Council Plan Strategic Objective

AND

• At least ONE Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Priority

Council Plan strategic objectives:

☐ Our community members have access to support services to help them achieve and sustain physical and emotional health and wellbeing.

☐ Our community members have access to the services, activities and infrastructure that make it easy for them to stay connected and get involved in community life.

☐ Our young people are supported and encouraged to contribute to their communities. ☐ Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are valued, respected and their contributions recognised and celebrated.

☐ Our communities are enriched by a thriving and diverse arts and creative sector.

☐ Diversity within our communities is welcomed, valued and respected.

Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing priority:

☐ Preventing family violence

☐ Reducing climate change’s impact on community health

☐ Improving healthy eating

☐ Championing active living

☐ Tobacco and alcohol harm reduction

☐ Improving mental health

Additional Must Haves:

☐ Groups must demonstrate a significant contribution in the form of cash, voluntary service or inkind support.

☐ Groups must have an ABN or be willing to complete an ATO Statement by Supplier Form.

☐ The applicant must have appropriate public liability insurance.

☐ All funded projects must obtain relevant permits and approvals prior to project commencement.

Who Can Apply

Can Apply

• Groups from locally based groups and organisations who operate in the Indigo Shire or meet a demonstrated need within the Shire.
• The group or organisation must be not for profit and open to or accessible by Indigo Shire residents.
• Organisations must either be incorporated, be Auspiced by another group or become incorporated as a condition of funding.

Cannot Apply

• Individuals
• Groups already in receipt of significant support from Council
• Programs considered the major responsibility of State or Federal Government
• Applications by commercial or private organisations
• Retrospective funding i.e. projects that have already been started or have been completed
• Groups with an overdue Acquittal Report for previous funding received from Council

What Will Be Funded

• Projects that align with and support this Grant Programs purpose as found at the top of these guidelines.
• Activities and projects that support gender inclusion and equality and/or prevent family violence.
• Activities or resources that support positive outcomes for the environment, sustainability and/or climate action.
• Activities or resources that champion active living, healthy eating and/or support tobacco and alcohol harm reduction.
• Activities that make positively recognise and celebrate First Nations culture, history and knowledge.
• Activities or resources that celebrate and promote diversity and inclusion.
• Activities and resources which improve mental health and have positive social outcomes.
• Activities or resources which promote a thriving and diverse arts and creative sector.
• Activities or resources that bring people together and/or enable participation and upskilling and skill sharing.
• Capital projects that have positive community or environmental outcomes.
• Activities or resources which support community to prepare, respond and recover from natural disasters.
• Activities or resources which support young people to thrive and contribute to their communities.

What Won’t Be Funded

• Projects that do not align with this Grant Programs purpose.
• Activities and projects that do not support gender inclusion and equality or reinforce gender stereotypes.
• Activities which do not support sustainable practices, or which have negative environmental outcomes.
• Defibrillators.
• Projects that have already commenced or equipment that has already been purchased.
• Projects outside of Indigo Shire boundaries.
• Wages, contracts, registrations and general administration. One-off facilitator/trainer fees are accepted.
• Projects that do not align with the Council’s Municipal health and Wellbeing Plan.
• Projects that provide direct benefit to a commercial business, individual or landholder.
• Prizes, awards, fundraising items or trophies.
• Projects that support political or lobbying activities.
• Operational costs or items purchased on a frequent basis, e.g. telephone, electricity, cleaning/maintenance, utility bills, ongoing insurance, stationary items.

Additional Information

• Only one application per group can be submitted.
• Preference will be given to applications for projects where funding is not available from other sources (i.e. State or Federal Funding).
• Each application is based on this year’s current application and not on previous applications.

Available funding 2026/2027

A total of $50,000 is available for community Grants in 2026-2027. This can include Arts and Culture projects and Youth Initiatives. It is recommended you discuss your project with Council staff prior to commencing your application.

Successful grants for all categories will range from $200 to $4,000.

Acquittal and Reporting Requirements

Successful grant recipients will be required:

• to fill out and submit an acquittal form to Council by June 30, 2027, failing to do this may impact your ability to obtain grants in the future.
• to submit appropriate invoice/proof of expenditure documentation and photos to demonstrate project delivery.
• to advise of any changes to the grant or funded project and submit in writing for approval by the discretion of the Director Community and Economic Development.

Grant Assessment

The assessment of all Grant Applications is the responsibility of the Indigo Shire Community Grants and Awards Advisory Committee (ISCGAAC).

ISCGAAC will use the following list of criteria to assess applications to Indigo Shire’s 2026-2027 Community Grants Program.

• The project aligns with Council Plan Priority (Score 0-3).
• The project aligns with Municipal Public Health & Wellbeing Plan (Score 0-3).
• The project benefits the local community (Score 0-3). The recommendations from this assessment are then submitted to Council for consideration. Council makes the ultimate determination via the report prepared by Council officers. ISCGAAC adheres to the Guidelines Conflicts of Interest – Advisory Committees and follows the report requirements outlined.