Call for Community Infrastructure Grants Co-contribution Exemption (Australia)

The City of Greater Geelong Community Infrastructure Grants Co-contribution Exemption allows eligible applicants to request a full or partial exemption from the required financial contribution for Community Infrastructure Grants when they cannot meet the standard funding requirements. Exemption requests are assessed based on financial capacity, organizational circumstances, project viability, and other relevant factors before grant funding decisions are made.

Community Infrastructure Grants Co-contribution Exemption Overview

The Community Infrastructure Grants Co-contribution Exemption is designed to assist community organizations that are unable to provide the required financial contribution for infrastructure projects funded through the City of Greater Geelong Community Infrastructure Grants Program.

Under the standard grant conditions, applicants are expected to contribute a portion of the total project cost. However, organizations facing financial hardship or other valid circumstances may request a full or partial exemption from this requirement through a separate assessment process.

Purpose

The Co-contribution Exemption aims to:

• Support community organizations with limited financial resources.
• Improve access to Community Infrastructure Grants.
• Enable important community infrastructure projects to proceed.
• Ensure funding is distributed fairly based on organizational capacity.
• Promote equitable access to infrastructure funding.
• Support sustainable community development across Greater Geelong.

Funding Information

Community Infrastructure Grants Funding

For the 2026–27 funding period, applicants may request:

• Up to $300,000 for capital works projects.
• Up to $50,000 for infrastructure planning projects.

Standard Co-contribution Requirement

Under normal funding conditions:

• The City funds up to two-thirds (2/3) of the total eligible project cost.
• Applicants are generally required to contribute $1 for every $2 requested from the City.
• Applicants must also secure any additional funding required to complete the project.

Co-contribution Exemption

Eligible organizations may apply for:

• Full exemption from the required contribution.
• Partial exemption from the required contribution.

Approval is determined through an assessment process and is not guaranteed.

Assessment Areas

Exemption applications are assessed using several criteria, including:

• Financial capacity of the organization.
• Maturity and operational history of the organization.
• Geographic location.
• Community disadvantage.
• Funding received from Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs).
• Other relevant financial or organizational circumstances.

Who is Eligible?

Organizations applying for Community Infrastructure Grants that cannot meet the required co-contribution may request an exemption.

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Genuine financial inability to meet the contribution requirement.
• A viable community infrastructure project.
• Supporting financial evidence.
• Compliance with the Community Infrastructure Grants requirements.

Required Documents

Applicants must provide:

• Project cost estimates.
• Requested grant amount.
• Details of available project contribution.
• Explanation of why the required contribution cannot be met.
• Financial statements covering the previous three years.
• Income and expenditure statements.
• Balance sheets.
• Organization details.
• Authorized contact information.

Application Process

Applications must:

• Be submitted online through SmartyGrants.
• Include all required financial and project information.
• Contain supporting financial documentation.
• Be completed before the submission deadline.

Paper applications and email submissions are not accepted.

How the Exemption Process Works (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Review the Requirements

Confirm that your organization is unable to meet the standard co-contribution requirement and review the exemption guidelines.

Step 2: Prepare Financial Information

Gather:

• Three years of financial statements.
• Income and expenditure reports.
• Balance sheets.
• Project budget.
• Estimated project costs.

Step 3: Complete the Online Application

Provide:

• Organization details.
• Authorized contact information.
• Project description.
• Requested funding amount.
• Available financial contribution.
• Explanation for requesting the exemption.

Step 4: Submit Through SmartyGrants

Submit the completed exemption application online through the SmartyGrants portal.

Step 5: Assessment

Applications undergo:

• Eligibility assessment.
• Officer panel review.
• Executive review and endorsement.

Step 6: Receive the Outcome

Applicants receive the exemption decision by email within three to four weeks after submission.

Step 7: Include the Outcome in the Grant Application

If proceeding with a Community Infrastructure Grant application, include the exemption outcome with the funding submission.

Why It Matters

The Co-contribution Exemption helps to:

• Remove financial barriers for community organizations.
• Support equitable access to infrastructure funding.
• Enable valuable community infrastructure projects.
• Assist organizations experiencing financial hardship.
• Strengthen local community facilities.
• Encourage long-term community development.
• Improve funding accessibility across Greater Geelong.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Submitting incomplete financial statements.
• Failing to explain why the required contribution cannot be provided.
• Providing inaccurate project budgets.
• Omitting supporting financial documents.
• Submitting applications by email or paper instead of SmartyGrants.
• Forgetting to include the exemption outcome with the grant application.
• Assuming the exemption is automatically approved.

Tips for a Strong Application

To improve your chances of approval:

• Clearly explain your organization’s financial situation.
• Provide complete financial records for the previous three years.
• Prepare a realistic project budget.
• Demonstrate strong community benefits.
• Clearly justify the need for a full or partial exemption.
• Ensure all required documentation is included.
• Review the application carefully before submitting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the Community Infrastructure Grants Co-contribution Exemption?

It allows eligible applicants to request a full or partial exemption from the standard financial contribution required under the Community Infrastructure Grants Program.

2. What funding is available under the Community Infrastructure Grants?

For the 2026–27 funding period, applicants may request up to $300,000 for capital works and up to $50,000 for infrastructure planning.

3. Who can apply for an exemption?

Organizations applying for Community Infrastructure Grants that cannot meet the required co-contribution due to financial or other eligible circumstances may request an exemption.

4. What financial documents are required?

Applicants must provide financial statements covering the previous three years, including income and expenditure statements, balance sheets, project budgets, and funding details.

5. How are exemption applications assessed?

Applications are assessed based on financial capacity, organizational maturity, location, disadvantage, EGM funding, and other relevant factors through eligibility checks, officer panel review, and executive endorsement.

6. How must applications be submitted?

Applications must be submitted online through SmartyGrants. Paper and email applications are not accepted.

7. When will applicants receive the outcome?

Applicants are typically notified of the exemption decision by email within three to four weeks after submitting their application.

Conclusion

The City of Greater Geelong Community Infrastructure Grants Co-contribution Exemption provides an important pathway for community organizations that are unable to meet standard funding contribution requirements. By offering full or partial exemptions based on financial need and organizational circumstances, the program helps ensure that worthwhile infrastructure projects can move forward, supporting stronger, more accessible, and more resilient communities across Greater Geelong.