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.