Deadline: 06-Aug-2026
The Urgent Grants Program provides one-off funding to help not-for-profit community organisations in Frankston City respond quickly to unexpected events, service disruptions, or emerging community emergencies. Grants of up to $1,000 are available for essential, time-sensitive activities that deliver immediate benefits to local residents, with higher amounts considered in exceptional circumstances.
About the Urgent Grants Program
The Urgent Grants Program supports community organisations facing unforeseen circumstances that threaten the delivery of essential services or create urgent community needs. The program enables eligible organisations to respond rapidly to emergencies, unexpected disruptions, and critical situations affecting vulnerable residents across Frankston City.
The initiative aims to ensure that important community services continue operating during emergencies while helping organisations address immediate local challenges through practical, community-led solutions.
Funding Objectives
The program supports projects that contribute to one or both of the following objectives:
- Provide critical support for essential community services by helping organisations continue or restore services disrupted by unexpected events.
- Support community-led responses to emerging crises through timely actions that address urgent needs affecting vulnerable or disadvantaged residents.
Applications are viewed more favourably when they address exceptional urgent circumstances and improve access to services for people facing barriers to participation.
Priority Communities
Projects supporting the following groups are strongly encouraged:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- Older people
- Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities
- People from lower socioeconomic backgrounds
- LGBTQIA+ individuals
- People with disabilities
- Women
- Other vulnerable or disadvantaged community members
Grant Amount
- Grants of up to $1,000 are available for eligible urgent activities.
- Funding above $1,000 may be considered in exceptional circumstances where justified.
Application Timeline
- Applications opened on 7 July 2026.
- Applications remain open until 6 June 2027 or until available funds are exhausted.
- Applications are assessed on a monthly basis.
Eligible Activities
Funding may be used for urgent, time-critical activities, including:
- Replacing essential equipment following unexpected breakdown or failure.
- Responding to emergency damage affecting community services.
- Hiring temporary venues after losing access to existing premises.
- Managing unexpected increases in community service demand.
- Addressing emergency staffing shortages.
- Providing emergency assistance following local crises.
- Establishing temporary community support hubs.
- Producing urgent communication and public information materials.
- Covering short-term transport costs linked to emergency responses.
- Funding temporary staffing directly related to urgent community needs.
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- Incorporated not-for-profit community organisations.
- Charitable organisations established under legislation.
- Unincorporated community groups applying through an eligible auspice organisation.
Applicants must:
- Have appropriate governance arrangements.
- Submit recent financial and governance documents.
- Hold current public liability insurance.
- Deliver activities within Frankston City or primarily benefit Frankston City residents.
Who Is Not Eligible?
The program does not support:
- Individual applicants.
- For-profit businesses.
- Organisations receiving an Annual Community Grant during the same financial year.
- Ongoing operational expenses.
- Major capital works.
- Debt repayments.
- Fundraising events.
- Activities that have already been completed.
- Projects that do not provide wider community benefit.
Why This Grant Matters
Unexpected emergencies can disrupt essential community services and place additional pressure on vulnerable residents. The Urgent Grants Program helps community organisations respond quickly by providing flexible funding for immediate needs.
The program strengthens community resilience by ensuring organisations can continue delivering critical services during emergencies while supporting rapid, locally driven responses to emerging challenges.
How to Apply
Follow these steps to apply:
- Confirm that your organisation meets the eligibility requirements.
- Identify the urgent issue affecting your services or community.
- Prepare a clear explanation of the emergency or unforeseen circumstance.
- Develop a realistic budget outlining eligible project costs.
- Gather all required financial, governance, and insurance documents.
- Submit your application before available funding is exhausted.
- Applications will be reviewed through the monthly assessment process.
Application Assessment Criteria
Applications will be assessed based on:
- Alignment with the program’s funding objectives.
- Demonstrated urgency and community need.
- Expected community benefit.
- Organisational capacity to deliver the activity.
- Realistic and justified project budget.
- Appropriate risk management.
Tips for a Strong Application
- Clearly explain why the situation is urgent.
- Demonstrate immediate community benefit.
- Show how funding will restore or maintain essential services.
- Provide a detailed and realistic budget.
- Include all required supporting documents.
- Explain why the activity cannot be delayed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting incomplete applications.
- Requesting funding for ineligible activities.
- Providing insufficient evidence of urgency.
- Including ongoing operational costs instead of emergency expenses.
- Missing required governance or insurance documents.
- Submitting unrealistic budgets or unclear project plans.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who can apply for the Urgent Grants Program?
Eligible incorporated not-for-profit organisations, charities, and unincorporated groups applying through an auspice organisation can apply.
How much funding is available?
Most projects can receive up to $1,000, although higher funding may be considered in exceptional circumstances.
What types of activities are supported?
The program supports urgent activities such as emergency equipment replacement, temporary venue hire, emergency staffing, crisis response, transport, and other immediate community support activities.
Can organisations that receive an Annual Community Grant also apply?
No. Organisations that receive an Annual Community Grant during the same financial year are generally not eligible for the Urgent Grants Program.
When are applications assessed?
Applications are assessed every month until funding is fully allocated or the program closes.
What documents are required?
Applicants must provide governance documents, recent financial information, proof of public liability insurance, and details demonstrating the urgent community need.
What makes a strong application?
Strong applications clearly demonstrate urgency, provide immediate community benefit, present a realistic budget, and show the organisation has the capacity to deliver the proposed response.
Conclusion
The Urgent Grants Program provides rapid financial assistance to not-for-profit organisations responding to unexpected emergencies and urgent community needs in Frankston City. By supporting essential services, emergency responses, and time-critical community initiatives, the program helps organisations continue delivering vital support while strengthening community resilience during challenging circumstances.
For more information, visit Frankston City Council.