Deadline: 04-Aug-2026
The Community Assistance Grants provide funding to not-for-profit community groups in Wellington Shire to strengthen participation, inclusion, partnerships, learning opportunities, social connectedness and community wellbeing. The scheme supports projects aligned with the Wellington Shire Council Community Vision, the Council Plan and the Municipal Health & Wellbeing Plan.
Eligible not-for-profit community groups can apply for funding from $2,501 to $6,000 for activities that create positive community outcomes. The grant supports inclusive community participation, active spaces, environmental stewardship, cultural connection and healthy, resilient communities.
What are Community Assistance Grants?
Community Assistance Grants are funding opportunities for not-for-profit community groups operating in Wellington Shire.
The grants support local projects that build stronger, safer, healthier and more connected communities.
The scheme helps community groups deliver activities that promote inclusion, learning, partnerships, participation and social connection.
Main Purpose of the Grant
The main purpose of the grant is to support community-led projects that improve local wellbeing and strengthen community capacity.
The grant aims to:
- Encourage community participation
- Promote inclusion and accessibility
- Strengthen local partnerships
- Provide learning opportunities
- Support social connectedness
- Activate open spaces and community facilities
- Improve wellbeing and participation
- Support environmental connection and stewardship
- Create positive community outcomes
Geographic Focus
The grant supports projects in Wellington Shire.
Applicants must be not-for-profit community groups operating in the Wellington Shire area.
Funding Amount
Funding support is available from $2,501 to $6,000.
Applicants should prepare a clear and realistic budget that shows how the requested funding will support eligible project activities.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants are not-for-profit community groups operating in Wellington Shire.
The application must be submitted by the organisation itself.
An individual representative may complete the form on behalf of the group, but the applicant must be the organisation, not the individual.
Key Focus Areas
The Community Assistance Grants support projects that align with local community wellbeing and development priorities.
Key focus areas include:
- Safe, inclusive and connected communities
- Healthy, active and resilient lifestyles
- Active community spaces and places
- Wellbeing and participation
- Protection of the natural environment
- Connection to nature
- Connection to culture and country
- Environmental stewardship
- Community learning
- Social inclusion
- Community partnerships
What Types of Projects Are Supported?
The grant supports projects that deliver positive community outcomes.
Supported projects may include:
- Community participation activities
- Inclusion and accessibility projects
- Learning and skill-building activities
- Partnership-based community initiatives
- Social connection projects
- Activities that activate open spaces
- Projects using community or cultural facilities
- Environmental stewardship activities
- Healthy and active lifestyle initiatives
- Projects that strengthen community wellbeing
Alignment with Council Plans
Projects should align with the Wellington Shire Council Community Vision, the Council Plan and the Municipal Health & Wellbeing Plan.
Applicants should explain how their project contributes to local priorities such as inclusion, wellbeing, community participation, environmental connection and resilience.
Community Capacity Building
The grant supports initiatives that build community capacity.
Community capacity building may include:
- Helping people participate in community life
- Creating stronger connections between residents
- Supporting volunteer-led activities
- Building local partnerships
- Sharing knowledge and skills
- Improving access to community spaces
- Encouraging inclusive participation
Activation of Community Spaces
The grants encourage the use and activation of open spaces, community facilities and cultural facilities.
This may include activities that:
- Bring people together in shared spaces
- Increase use of public or community places
- Support wellbeing through participation
- Encourage inclusive access to facilities
- Strengthen community identity and belonging
Environmental and Cultural Connection
The scheme supports projects that protect and connect people with the natural environment.
Projects may focus on:
- Environmental stewardship
- Connection to nature
- Connection to culture and country
- Community learning about the environment
- Activities that support future generations
- Protection and appreciation of local natural assets
What is Not Funded?
The grant does not support certain activities or costs.
Ineligible activities include:
- Scholarships
- Awards
- Trophies
- Prizes
- Activities delivering direct religious messages
- Activities delivering political party messages
- Activities connected with gaming machines
- Activities connected with gambling or betting facilities
- Activities promoting unhealthy food
- Activities promoting sugary drinks
- Activities promoting alcohol consumption
- Activities promoting gambling
- Activities promoting tobacco
- Activities promoting e-cigarettes or vaping industries
Ineligible Costs
The grant does not fund ongoing operational costs.
Ineligible costs include:
- Insurance
- Salaries
- Electricity
- Water
- Utilities
- General operational costs
Wages will not be funded, but they may be used as evidence of the applicant’s contribution towards the project.
Appliance Requirement
Appliances funded through the grant must meet minimum 4-star energy rating requirements.
Specialised equipment may be considered where relevant.
Applicants should clearly explain why the appliance or equipment is needed and how it supports the project outcomes.
Key Concepts Explained
Community Capacity
Community capacity refers to the ability of people, groups and organisations to work together, solve local issues and create positive change.
Social Connectedness
Social connectedness means building relationships, belonging and meaningful interaction between people in a community.
Environmental Stewardship
Environmental stewardship means caring for, protecting and improving the natural environment for current and future generations.
Community Inclusion
Community inclusion means ensuring that people from different backgrounds, abilities and experiences can participate fully in community life.
Active Community Spaces
Active community spaces are public, open, cultural or community places used for activities that support participation, wellbeing and connection.
How the Grant Works
Not-for-profit community groups apply for funding to deliver eligible projects in Wellington Shire.
Applications should clearly explain the project, community need, planned activities, budget, expected outcomes and alignment with council priorities.
Projects should demonstrate how they will strengthen participation, inclusion, partnerships, learning opportunities or social connection.
How to Apply
Applicants should prepare a clear proposal that explains the project’s purpose, community benefit and eligible costs.
Suggested Application Steps
- Confirm that the applicant is a not-for-profit community group operating in Wellington Shire.
- Ensure the application is submitted in the organisation’s name.
- Identify the community need or opportunity the project will address.
- Choose the relevant focus area, such as inclusion, wellbeing, active spaces or environmental connection.
- Prepare a clear project plan with activities, participants and timeline.
- Prepare a budget between $2,501 and $6,000.
- Exclude ineligible costs such as utilities, salaries and general administration.
- Show how the project aligns with council plans and community wellbeing priorities.
- Explain how the project will create positive community outcomes.
- Submit the application according to the grant scheme requirements.
Assessment Considerations
Applications may be assessed based on how well the project supports community outcomes and council priorities.
Assessment may consider:
- Community need
- Benefit to Wellington Shire residents
- Alignment with the Community Vision and Council Plan
- Contribution to the Municipal Health & Wellbeing Plan
- Inclusion and accessibility
- Community participation
- Partnership development
- Social connection
- Environmental or cultural connection
- Realistic budget and project plan
- Positive and measurable outcomes
Expected Results
Funded projects should create positive outcomes for local communities.
Expected results may include:
- Stronger community participation
- Increased social connection
- More inclusive local activities
- Improved wellbeing
- Better use of community spaces
- Stronger local partnerships
- Increased learning opportunities
- Greater connection to nature, culture or country
- More active and resilient communities
- Improved community capacity
Why It Matters
Community groups play a key role in building inclusive, connected and resilient local communities.
Small community-led projects can create meaningful change by bringing people together, activating shared spaces, improving wellbeing and supporting local participation.
The Community Assistance Grants help not-for-profit groups turn local ideas into practical activities that benefit residents across Wellington Shire.
Tips for Strong Applications
A strong application should clearly show the community benefit and explain how the project aligns with the grant’s priorities.
Applicants should focus on:
- Clear community need
- Strong local benefit
- Inclusive participation
- Realistic budget
- Clear project timeline
- Strong alignment with council priorities
- Use of community partnerships
- Positive wellbeing outcomes
- Activation of local spaces where relevant
- Clear explanation of eligible costs
Applicants should avoid submitting projects that focus mainly on general operations or activities that do not clearly benefit the wider community.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should carefully check eligibility and funding restrictions before applying.
Common mistakes include:
- Applying as an individual instead of an organisation
- Requesting funding outside the $2,501 to $6,000 range
- Including wages as a funded cost
- Requesting funding for utilities, rent, insurance or general operations
- Applying for scholarships, awards, trophies or prizes
- Including religious or political party messaging
- Proposing activities linked to gambling or betting facilities
- Promoting unhealthy food, alcohol, tobacco, vaping or gambling
- Not showing clear community outcomes
- Providing an unclear or incomplete budget
FAQ
What are Community Assistance Grants?
Community Assistance Grants provide funding to not-for-profit community groups in Wellington Shire for projects that strengthen participation, inclusion, learning, partnerships, wellbeing and social connectedness.
How much funding is available?
Eligible groups can apply for funding from $2,501 to $6,000.
Who can apply?
Not-for-profit community groups operating in Wellington Shire can apply. The applicant must be the organisation, not an individual representative.
What types of projects are supported?
Supported projects may include community participation activities, inclusion initiatives, learning opportunities, environmental stewardship projects, active lifestyle activities and projects that activate community spaces.
What costs are not eligible?
The grant does not fund ongoing operational costs such as insurance, salaries, electricity, water, utilities or unrelated administration.
Can wages be funded?
No. Wages will not be funded, but they may be used as evidence of contribution towards the project.
Are appliances eligible?
Appliances may be eligible if they support the project, but they must meet minimum 4-star energy rating requirements unless specialised equipment is being considered.
Conclusion
The Community Assistance Grants support not-for-profit community groups in Wellington Shire to deliver projects that strengthen inclusion, participation, wellbeing, partnerships, learning and social connection. With funding from $2,501 to $6,000, the scheme helps local organisations create positive community outcomes aligned with council priorities.
Strong applications will demonstrate clear community benefit, eligible costs, inclusive participation, realistic planning and a strong connection to Wellington Shire’s vision for safe, healthy, active and connected communities.
For more information, visit Wellington Shire Council.