How to apply for a Small Grant

To apply for a Small Grant, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Check that you are eligible

Read through the eligibility criteria to make sure you meet the criteria on our Small grants eligibility, objectives and conditions page.

Step 2: Consider the objectives and assessment criteria

Small Grants applications are assessed against a series of objectives and criteria.

For more information, see our Small grants eligibility, objectives and conditions page.

Step 3: Discuss your idea

Before you apply for a grant, you must talk through your project idea with a Council officer. They'll help you shape your application to give it the best chance of success.

Depending on which stream your grant falls under, please contact the relevant person below.

Step 4: Get help with your application

If you have any questions or need advice, we are here to help. 

We are a quick phone call or email away to answer any questions you have. For general enquiries, contact the Community Development Officer (Grants and Partnerships) officer on (03) 9278 4753 or email [email protected].

We also offer free information sessions for Community Grant Information Sessions. They provide community groups and organisations with useful information about:

• how to apply
• the selection criteria
• the assessment process

They're also a great opportunity to ask questions.

Registration is essential. Visit our Get help with your grant application page for more information and to register. 

Step 5: Complete your application

When applications are open, they are submitted online on the SmartyGrants website. 

Make sure you complete the budget requirements using the budget form in SmartyGrants, noting that:

• all budget costs must be justified for the project proposal
• all items listed in the budget must include a description of the item
• some applications may receive partial funding.

Supporting documents

Be sure to attach all supporting documentation. Your application cannot be assessed until we receive all these documents:

• Incorporation Annual Statement or an Annual Information Statement. Find out more on the Consumer Affairs Victoria website or the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission website. 
• Australian Business Number (ABN)
• your organisation's Annual Report or audited financial statement
• evidence of an adequate public liability insurance policy to cover the staff, members and the general public, as appropriate
• formal quotes for all services and products over $1,000 must include the suppliers ABN and the GST amount
• letters or emails of support (optional).

Helpful resources

We also have some helpful resources available to help with your application:

• Statistics: see our History and demographics page for data on health, education, housing, economy and diversity.
• Accessibility: see our Make your event accessible page.
• Our Small Grants 2024 guidelines have information about the grant streams, criteria and how to apply. 

Step 6: Submit your application

Once you have completed the above steps and you are happy with your application, you can finalise your submission through the SmartyGrants website.

Step 7: Application assessment

Applications are assessed against the assessment criteria (see Step 2) by Council Officers and the Community Strengthening Grants Assessment Panel. 

The panel's recommendations are then submitted to Council for final endorsement.

Step 8: Results are announced

We will let you know if your application has been successful via email. 

Step 9: Grant payments

If you are successful, you will receive your grant funds within 28 days of your approval letter (or as otherwise specified).

Step 10: Evaluation

Successful applicants will be required to provide a written project report annually (or as otherwise specified in the funding agreement) against agreed performance outcomes, as part of the decision-making process for continuing the funding. This is done online through the SmartyGrants website.