Deadline: 24-Jul-2026
The Community Connection Grant supports not-for-profit organisations in Latrobe City to deliver projects that increase social inclusion, community connection, and wellbeing. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for evidence-based, community-led projects that address local needs and help prevent poor mental health outcomes. Eligible applicants must be incorporated not-for-profit bodies with a current Australian Business Number, public liability insurance, and a clear project budget.
Overview
The Community Connection Grant is now accepting applications from not-for-profit organisations in Latrobe City.
The grant supports local projects that strengthen social inclusion, reduce isolation, improve community connection, and promote wellbeing.
The funding is provided through the Social Inclusion Action Group, which supports initiatives that contribute to a more connected and mentally healthy Latrobe City.
Purpose of the Grant
The purpose of the Community Connection Grant is to support projects that bring people together and reduce social exclusion.
The grant encourages community-led activities that respond to local needs, build belonging, and improve wellbeing.
Projects should be evidence-based, informed by local knowledge, and designed to create shared community impact.
Key Focus Areas
The grant focuses on community-led opportunities, social inclusion, equity, sustainability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander initiatives, local community needs, service gaps, place-based coordination, reduced social exclusion, connection, community wellbeing, mental health prevention, and continuous improvement.
What the Grant Supports
The Community Connection Grant supports local projects that improve social connection and wellbeing in Latrobe City.
Supported projects may include activities that:
- Increase community participation
- Reduce social isolation
- Strengthen local networks
- Promote equity and inclusion
- Support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led initiatives
- Address identified community needs or gaps
- Use place-based coordination to reach excluded groups
- Improve connection to prevent poor mental health outcomes
- Build sustainable community-led activities
- Create shared community benefit
Projects should be practical, locally relevant, and able to demonstrate clear benefits for Latrobe City residents.
Funding Amount
The maximum grant amount available per project is $5,000.
Applicants should provide a clear and realistic project budget.
Supporting quotes must be included where required.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-Led Initiatives
A minimum of 20% of the funding is dedicated to initiatives led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Assessment of these initiatives will be conducted by individuals from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
This approach supports self-determination and ensures that community-led decision-making is respected.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible applicants must be not-for-profit incorporated bodies.
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Have a current Australian Business Number
- Hold appropriate public liability insurance
- Operate or be registered within Latrobe City
- Have no outstanding debts to Council
- Provide a clear project budget
- Provide supporting quotes where required
- Deliver a project that supports social inclusion, connection, or wellbeing
Organisations that cannot meet these requirements may apply through an eligible auspice organisation.
Auspice Arrangements
Applicants that are not incorporated or do not meet all eligibility requirements may partner with an eligible auspice organisation.
An auspice organisation can support the application by taking responsibility for grant administration, financial management, and reporting.
This option helps smaller community groups participate while ensuring grant accountability.
Who Is Not Eligible?
The following applicants are not eligible:
- State government departments
- Federal government departments
- Organisations with open grant acquittals
- For-profit entities
- Groups promoting gambling
- Organisations with outstanding debts to Council
- Applicants without a clear project budget
- Applicants unable to meet eligibility requirements without an auspice partner
Applicants should confirm their eligibility before submitting an application.
Why It Matters
Social connection is important for mental health, wellbeing, and community resilience.
People who experience isolation or exclusion may face higher risks of poor mental health outcomes.
The Community Connection Grant matters because it supports local organisations to create inclusive spaces, respond to community needs, and build stronger relationships across Latrobe City.
By funding community-led and place-based projects, the grant helps ensure that solutions are shaped by the people and communities they are intended to support.
How to Apply
Applicants should prepare a clear application that explains the project idea, community need, budget, and expected impact.
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Applicants should confirm that they are a not-for-profit incorporated body with a current Australian Business Number and appropriate public liability insurance.
They should also confirm that they operate or are registered within Latrobe City and have no outstanding debts to Council.
Step 2: Identify the Community Need
The application should clearly explain the local issue the project will address.
This may include:
- Social isolation
- Limited community participation
- Lack of inclusive opportunities
- Barriers faced by specific groups
- Gaps in local services or support
- Poor connection affecting wellbeing
- Need for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led initiatives
Step 3: Design the Project
Applicants should describe the proposed activities and how they will increase connection and inclusion.
The project description should include:
- Project objectives
- Target participants
- Location of activities
- Delivery timeline
- Community partners
- Expected outcomes
- Sustainability approach
- How the project supports wellbeing
Step 4: Use Evidence and Local Knowledge
Projects must be evidence-based and informed by local knowledge.
Applicants should explain what evidence supports the project idea.
This may include community consultation, local data, lived experience, previous project learning, or feedback from residents and service providers.
Step 5: Prepare the Budget
Applicants may request up to $5,000.
The budget should clearly show:
- Total project cost
- Grant amount requested
- Budget items
- Supporting quotes
- Any additional contributions
- How each cost supports the project
Step 6: Consider Auspice Support if Needed
If the applicant does not meet all eligibility requirements, they may partner with an eligible auspice organisation.
The application should clearly identify the auspice organisation and its role.
Step 7: Submit the Application
Applicants should submit the completed application with all required information, budget details, supporting quotes, and eligibility documentation.
The application should clearly show how the project will improve social inclusion, connection, and wellbeing in Latrobe City.
Assessment Considerations
Applications are likely to be assessed based on project quality, community need, impact, and eligibility.
Key assessment areas may include:
- Alignment with social inclusion and connection goals
- Evidence of local community need
- Use of local knowledge
- Strength of community-led approach
- Contribution to wellbeing and mental health prevention
- Support for equity and inclusion
- Sustainability of the project
- Clear budget and supporting quotes
- Ability to deliver the project
- Shared community impact
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination where relevant
Tips for a Strong Application
A strong application should clearly show how the project will bring people together and improve wellbeing.
Applicants should:
- Explain the community need clearly
- Use evidence and local knowledge
- Show how the project increases inclusion
- Identify who will benefit
- Provide a realistic budget
- Include supporting quotes
- Demonstrate sustainability
- Explain how outcomes will be measured
- Highlight community leadership
- Ensure the project is place-based and locally relevant
- Use an auspice organisation if eligibility requirements cannot be met
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid submitting unclear or incomplete applications.
Common mistakes include:
- Requesting more than $5,000
- Not providing a clear project budget
- Missing supporting quotes
- Applying without a current Australian Business Number
- Not holding appropriate public liability insurance
- Having outstanding debts to Council
- Submitting as a for-profit entity
- Promoting gambling-related activities
- Not explaining community need
- Failing to show how the project improves social inclusion
- Not using an auspice partner when required
- Submitting while having open grant acquittals
FAQ
1. What is the Community Connection Grant?
The Community Connection Grant provides funding to not-for-profit organisations in Latrobe City for projects that increase social inclusion, connection, and community wellbeing.
2. How much funding is available?
The maximum grant amount available per project is $5,000.
3. Who can apply?
Not-for-profit incorporated bodies with a current Australian Business Number, appropriate public liability insurance, and operations or registration within Latrobe City can apply.
4. What types of projects are supported?
Supported projects include community-led activities that increase connection, promote equity, reduce social exclusion, support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander initiatives, address local needs, and help prevent poor mental health outcomes.
5. Are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander initiatives prioritised?
Yes. A minimum of 20% of funding is dedicated to initiatives led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, with assessment conducted by individuals from these communities.
6. Can unincorporated groups apply?
Groups that cannot meet the eligibility requirements may partner with an eligible auspice organisation.
7. Who is not eligible?
State and federal government departments, organisations with open grant acquittals, for-profit entities, and groups promoting gambling are not eligible.
Conclusion
The Community Connection Grant provides important support for not-for-profit organisations working to strengthen social inclusion, community connection, and wellbeing in Latrobe City. With grants of up to $5,000, the programme supports evidence-based, locally informed projects that reduce exclusion, promote equity, and help prevent poor mental health outcomes. Applicants should submit a clear, community-led proposal with a strong budget, evidence of local need, and a practical plan for delivering meaningful community impact.
For more information, visit Latrobe City Council.
