Deadline: 30-Jun-2027
The Merri-bek Membership Activity Grant provides financial support to community groups in Merri-bek for ongoing activities that encourage community participation, strengthen social connections, and improve members’ health and wellbeing. Eligible groups can receive funding for up to three years, with annual funding of up to $3,000 depending on group membership size and other Council support received.
About the Merri-bek Membership Activity Grant
The Membership Activity Grant is offered by Merri-bek City Council to help community groups meet the ongoing costs associated with regular member activities.
The grant supports community participation, social connection, health and wellbeing, and inclusive group activities across the Merri-bek municipality.
Funding can support activities and expenses such as:
- Guest speakers and presentations
- Classes and workshops
- Social outings and community activities
- Special events
- Consumables and supplies
- Administration costs
- Group activity insurance
The program particularly encourages activities that benefit communities and groups that may experience barriers to participation.
Grant Funding
Community groups can receive funding for up to three years, subject to annual acquittal and evaluation requirements.
The maximum standard grant is $3,000 per year. The amount available depends on the size of the group and whether it receives other support from Merri-bek City Council.
- Groups with up to 20 members can receive up to $2,000 per year.
- Groups with up to 20 members receiving other Council support can receive up to $1,500 per year.
- Groups with 21 to 60 members can receive up to $2,500 per year.
- Groups with 21 to 60 members receiving other Council support can receive up to $2,000 per year.
- Groups with more than 60 members can receive up to $3,000 per year.
- Groups with more than 60 members receiving other Council support can receive up to $2,500 per year.
Funding is provided annually. Payments for the second and third years depend on the successful submission of the required annual acquittal and evaluation documents.
What Does the Grant Support?
The Membership Activity Grant is designed for ongoing group activities that provide direct benefits to members.
Eligible activities may include:
- Regular educational or recreational classes
- Community workshops
- Guest speaker sessions
- Social gatherings and outings
- Member-focused events
- Purchase of consumables and activity supplies
- Group administration related to eligible activities
- Insurance associated with group activities
The proposed activities should contribute to members’ participation, wellbeing, social connection, or personal outcomes.
Priority Communities
Priority is given to activities that support residents and community members from identified priority groups, including:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
- Migrant and refugee communities
- People with disability
- LGBTIQA+ communities
- Women
- Young people
- Seniors
- Children
Groups that demonstrate how their activities address the needs of these communities may be particularly relevant to the grant’s funding priorities.
Who Is Eligible?
The grant is intended for community groups that regularly meet and operate within the Merri-bek municipality.
Eligible groups must:
- Meet regularly within Merri-bek.
- Provide activities that support members’ health and wellbeing.
- Address the Community Grants Objectives and Funding Priorities.
- Demonstrate their membership numbers.
- Provide evidence that the group regularly meets within Merri-bek.
- Complete the required annual acquittal and evaluation process.
Applicants should be able to demonstrate that the proposed activities provide meaningful benefits to their members and contribute to community participation and wellbeing.
How the Grant Works
The Membership Activity Grant can provide financial assistance for eligible activities for up to three years.
The process generally involves:
- Submit an application: Community groups can apply throughout the year.
- Eligibility assessment: Council reviews the application against the program requirements.
- Application assessment: Eligible applications are assessed against the relevant grant objectives and priorities.
- Funding decision: Successful applicants receive confirmation of funding.
- Funding agreement: Successful groups must enter into a funding agreement with Council.
- Deliver activities: Grant funding must be used for the approved activities and purposes.
- Submit annual acquittal: Groups must provide the required annual acquittal and evaluation report to remain eligible for subsequent funding.
Applications are generally assessed within four to six weeks after submission.
What Should Applicants Demonstrate?
A strong application should clearly explain:
- The purpose and activities of the community group.
- How regularly the group meets in Merri-bek.
- The number of members involved.
- How the proposed activities support health and wellbeing.
- How the activities encourage community participation.
- How the project aligns with the Community Grants Objectives and Funding Priorities.
- How the requested funding will be used.
- How the group will report on the use and outcomes of the funding.
Applicants should provide accurate information about membership numbers because the available funding level is linked to group size.
Important Funding Conditions
Successful applicants must enter into a funding agreement with Merri-bek City Council.
Groups receiving funding for multiple years must meet annual reporting requirements before receiving subsequent payments.
The annual acquittal and evaluation must demonstrate:
- How the grant funding was used.
- What activities were delivered.
- The outcomes achieved.
- How the organisation is operating.
- Whether the funded activities continued to benefit members and the community.
The second- and third-year funding payments are dependent on satisfactory completion of these requirements.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Providing unclear information about the group’s membership size.
- Failing to demonstrate that the group regularly meets in Merri-bek.
- Requesting funding without explaining how it will benefit members.
- Failing to connect proposed activities with health, wellbeing, and community participation.
- Providing incomplete information about existing Council support.
- Missing annual acquittal and evaluation deadlines.
- Using grant funding for activities that were not approved under the funding agreement.
Why the Membership Activity Grant Matters
The Merri-bek Membership Activity Grant helps community groups maintain regular activities that bring people together and promote participation, social connection, and wellbeing.
By supporting ongoing member activities, the program can help strengthen local community networks and create more inclusive opportunities for residents to participate in community life.
The program also provides targeted support for groups working with priority communities, helping improve access to activities and strengthen community connections across Merri-bek.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much funding can a community group receive?
Eligible groups can receive up to $3,000 per year. The actual amount depends on membership size and whether the group receives other Council support.
How long can groups receive funding?
Funding can be provided for up to three years, subject to the group meeting annual reporting and acquittal requirements.
Who can apply for the Membership Activity Grant?
Community groups that regularly meet within Merri-bek and provide activities supporting members’ health and wellbeing may be eligible, provided they meet the program’s objectives and requirements.
What activities can the funding support?
Funding can support eligible member activities such as guest speakers, classes, workshops, social outings, special events, consumables, supplies, administration, and group activity insurance.
Is there a different funding amount for different group sizes?
Yes. Groups with up to 20 members can receive up to $2,000 annually, groups with 21 to 60 members can receive up to $2,500, and groups with more than 60 members can receive up to $3,000. Lower amounts apply where groups receive other Council support.
When can applications be submitted?
Applications are accepted throughout the year and are generally assessed within four to six weeks after submission.
What happens after the first year of funding?
Groups seeking second- or third-year funding must submit the required annual acquittal and evaluation. Continued funding is subject to meeting the conditions of the funding agreement.
Conclusion
The Merri-bek Membership Activity Grant provides annual financial support for community groups delivering regular activities that promote participation, health, wellbeing, and social connection. With funding of up to $3,000 per year for up to three years, the program offers an opportunity for eligible Merri-bek community groups to sustain meaningful member activities while supporting priority communities and strengthening local community life.
For more information, visit Merri-bek City Council.
