Community Grants program 2026-2027

All potential applicants must attend a Community Grants Program information session and have discussed their project with a Council officer before applying. Applications from applicants that have not attended a Community Grants Program information session prior to applying will not be assessed.

Should additional support be required when preparing your application, the relevant Council contacts across the four funding streams and for general enquiries are:

Community Development:

Terence Jaensch
Mobile: 0477 621 577
Email: Terence.Jaensch@cgoldshire.vic.gov.au

Creativity and Innovation:

Terence Jaensch
Mobile: 0477 621 577
Email: Terence.Jaensch@cgoldshire.vic.gov.au

Physical Infrastructure:

Melissa Kennedy 
Mobile: 0437 082 767
Email: Melissa.Kennedy@cgoldshire.vic.gov.au

Climate Action:

Julia Walsh
Mobile: 0428 895 491
Email: Julia.Walsh@cgoldshire.vic.gov.au

General Enquiries:

Terence Jaensch
Mobile: 0477 621 577
Email: Terence.Jaensch@cgoldshire.vic.gov.au

Melissa Kennedy 
Mobile: 0437 082 767
Email: Melissa.Kennedy@cgoldshire.vic.gov.au

To be eligible to apply for a Community Grant you must:

• Be a community-based group and or organisation;
• Attend a Community Grants Program information session; and
• Submit a completed online application form in accordance with the relevant timeframes (hardcopy applications will not be accepted, nor will applications received after the application cut-off date).

Typically, a community-based organisation is an organisation that is a recognised not-for-profit group or organisation that carries out one or more of the following activities:

• Provides services to the community such as positive ageing, childcare, health services, charity services or services of a similar type;
• Reinvests or applies the revenue it receives predominately for public interest services or activities;
• Principally provides social or junior sporting or recreational activities; or
• Supports public events or information of an historical, cultural or community arts focus.

Typically, a community-based organisation would not be:

• A political organisation;
• A profit-making organisation;
• Schools or tertiary institutions (excluding parents and friends’ groups);
• State or Federal government agencies and departments; or
• Any organisation where more than 50% of its income is derived from any State or Federal government program.

All applicants (groups and organisations) must:

• Have attended a Community Grants Program information session and have discussed their application with a Council officer prior to applying;
• Have no outstanding legal matters or unresolved debts with Council;
• Have no unresolved action concerning a notice or order related to planning, building or environmental health issue;
• Have met all acquittal requirements of any other previous funding by Council;
• Adhere to any relevant legislation and be in accordance with Council statutory requirements, relevant building codes and heritage guidelines;
• Be an incorporated community group or is auspiced by an incorporated organisation (as defined by the Australian Taxation Office);
• In their application provide evidence of their financial sustainability;
• In their application have documented evidence of need for the project/activity or service offered by the group or organisation;
• In their application have outlined the intended community outcomes from the project/activity or service;
• Deliver the project/activity or service within the Central Goldfields Shire;
• Be willing to enter into an agreement with Council which requires the community group or organisation to undertake an acquittal and review/evaluation process; and
• Be willing to publicly acknowledge Council’s support in all promotional material and in the media.

All applications must be for projects and activities that are based in the Central Goldfields Shire and benefit the Central Goldfields Shire community.

Council welcomes applications for projects and activities that align with identified strategic directives in the Council Plan 2025 – 2029 and Council’s ‘Your Community 2030, 10 Year Community Plans.’ Applications for projects and activities that align with and advance one or more actions detailed in Council’s ‘Your Community 2030, 10 Year Community Plans’ will be prioritised in the assessment process.

All projects and activities must fall within one of four Community Grants Program funding streams:

Council also encourages applications from organisations, and for projects and activities, that seek to:

• Reduce gambling, alcohol, vaping and tobacco consumption harms;
• Advance awareness of and support for First Nations people, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse people, LGBTIQA+ people, refugee communities and people with disability;
• Advance awareness of and support for Gender Equality and reduce gender-based violence and gender inequity in the community; and
• Support and engage seniors, women and young people.

Council does not provide community grants to:

• For-profit organisations, unincorporated groups or individuals.

The Community Grants Program does not fund/provide support for:

• Applications where funding for projects is being requested retrospectively;
• Applicants with an overdue acquittal for Central Goldfields Shire Council funding/support;
• Applicants receiving funding from Central Goldfields Shire Council for the same project;
• Activities/projects that are the responsibility of the State or Federal Government;
• Activities/projects that are already underway or have been completed;
• Activities/projects that do not reflect widely held community standards;
• Activities/projects that have negative public health and or safety outcomes;
• Activities/projects that discriminate against any person or group;
• Applicants and or projects that do not advance diversity and inclusion within the community; and
• Activities/projects that fall outside program timelines.

A panel of Council officers will assess all eligible applications based on the assessment criteria.

The approved projects are then reported to Council for noting at a Council meeting.

Eligible applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

Council will also consider the following aspects in determining Community Grants Program support:

• A Shire-wide perspective of community need, access and equity;
• Avoiding duplication of service, programs and activities;
• Availability of facilities; and
• Risk management and potential liability for Council.

Before finalising your application please ensure:

❏       You have attended a Community Grants Program information session and have discussed your application with a Council officer

❏       You have provided a detailed project budget

❏       You have provided quotes for your proposed project expenditure

❏       You have provided the relevant insurance documentation

❏       You have provided a detailed project timeline

❏       You have provided a Letter of Auspice (if required)

❏       You have provided the relevant permits (if required)

❏       You have provided Letters of Support (optional)

❏       You have provided evidence of approval from relevant landowner and or building owner (if required)

❏       You have provided relevant support documents e.g. plans and photos (please ensure all documentation is submitted in Word, JPEG or PDF format)

You can then:

❏       Lodge your application via the online portal on the Council website (hardcopy applications will not be accepted)

The 2026-2027 Community Grants Program online application form will be available from Wednesday 1 July.

• Grant recipients are required to complete all sections of the Grant Acquittal Form.
• All projects must be completed and acquitted by 31 May 2027, unless an alternative date has been requested in writing and approved by the relevant Council officer.
• Successful applicants will be accountable to Council for the disbursement of grant monies as outlined in the application.
• Receipted expenditure and or invoices (indicating payment) for funded projects must be submitted with the Grant Acquittal Form.
• Funds not expended for the intended purpose must be returned to Council.
• Any requests for variations to the original Grant Application must be lodged in writing and approved by Council.
• Central Goldfields Shire Council must be acknowledged in any promotional material relating to the project and evidence of this acknowledgement is to be provided as part of the acquittal process.

The personal information requested on this form is being collected by the Central Goldfields Shire Council for the purpose of processing your Community Grants Application. The personal information provided is for the use of the Council and the applicant may apply to Council for access and/or amendment of the information. Your personal information will not be disclosed to any external party without your consent, unless required or authorised by law.