Community Grants Program

Applications to the 2025/26 program are now open for application.

Applications to the 2025/26 program are now open for application. Applications close Tuesday 10 June (end of day).

Community grants aim to support eligible community groups and organisations with funding for projects and programs that:

  • identify and meet existing and emerging community needs
  • strengthen capacity of local community groups, organisations, and networks
  • promote and encourage social connection, and participation in community life
  • address health and well-being inequities
  • create initiatives that enable access and inclusion for diverse communities
  • support sustainability initiatives and facilitate innovation.

Grant Categories

Category 1: Program Support

Maximum funding per project: $1,000
Purpose: Supports small groups in initiating and running activities.

Category 2. Diversity and Ageing Support

Maximum funding per project: $1,000
Purpose: Supports culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) seniors' groups in initiating and running activities.

Category 3. Social Inclusion Partnerships

Maximum funding per project: $5,000
Purpose: Supports projects and activities that involve 2 or more organisations working in partnership to increase social inclusion.

Category 4. Community Strengthening

Maximum funding per project: $10,000
Purpose: Supports projects and activities that build community and organisational capacity

Key dates

Activity 

Scheduled Date 

Applications Open 

Tuesday 29 April 2025 

Applications Close 

Tuesday 10 June 2025 (end of day) 

Information Session (online) 

Book Here

Thursday 15 May from 5 to 6 pm 

Grant Writing Workshop 1 (in-person) 

Book Here

Monday 12 May from 9:30 am to 12 noon 

Grant Writing Workshop 2 (online) 

Book Here

Monday 12 May from 9:30 am to 12 noon 

Application Assessment 

June – July 2025 

Previous Community Grant Recipient Acquittal Reports due (2024/25 round recipients only) 

December 2025 

Grant recommendations presented to Council 

Mid-September 2025 

Notifications (application outcome) 

Late September 2025 

Funds issued to successful applicants 

From October 2025 

Funded project/program delivery 

November 2025 – November 2026 

Acquittal Reports due (2025/26 round) 

December 2026 

Eligibility

To be eligible for Community Grants Program funding applicants must:

  • be a not-for-profit organisation, a school, or an incorporated community group, or apply through an auspice arrangement
  • provide an ABN or an auspice organisation ABN
  • have Public Liability Insurance with a minimum of $20 million or an auspice organisation Public Liability Insurance with a minimum of $20 million
  • have complied with all terms and conditions including the submission of a satisfactory project status and acquittal reports for all previous City of Port Phillip Grants
  • be located within, or offer projects within, the City of Port Phillip municipality
  • Diversity and Ageing Support Grants applicants must represent older residents from a culturally and linguistically diverse background.

Apply online using SmartyGrants

If you are a new user, you will need to register a new SmartyGrants account when starting your first application.

Guidelines

We suggest all applicants read the Community Grants Guidelines before applying.

Community Grants Program 2025-26 Guidelines (docx)

Community Grants Program 2025 26 Guidelines (pdf)