Australia: West Gate Neighbourhood Fund Grant Program

Deadline: 18-Jun-21

The West Gate Neighbourhood Fund has been established by the Victorian Government to support communities in Melbourne’s inner west during the construction of the West Gate Tunnel Project (WGTP).

The $10 million West Gate Neighbourhood Fund is a Victorian Government initiative to support community projects in the Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay city council areas, while the West Gate Tunnel Project is under construction.

Priorities

To be eligible for a West Gate Neighbourhood Fund – Grant, applications should support the strengthening of community connectedness and cohesiveness, as well as align with at least one of the following priorities:

Health and Wellbeing – supporting programs and opportunities which promote healthy living and wellbeing.
Innovation – supporting projects and events which help the community to solve future challenges.
Environment and Sustainability – enhancing and conserving green spaces and the environment.
Mobility – making it easier for communities to travel and explore their local area.
Leadership – supporting and training future leaders to advocate for their community.
Education and Skills – providing information, skills and new opportunities to members of the community.
Diversity – supporting social inclusion for diverse populations.
Arts & Culture – celebrating culture and building positive community perceptions.
Heritage – celebrating history and creating links between the past and present within the community.
Beautification – supporting opportunities to improve the aesthetics and facilities of the community.

Grant Categories

Proposed projects must fit into one of the following West Gate Neighbourhood Fund – Grants categories:

Connecting neighbourhoods grants: Up to $10,000 for a one-off project or activity that aims to improve community connectedness and participation
Celebrating neighbourhoods grants: Up to $20,000 for festivals, events, and installations that bring local people together
Transforming neighbourhoods grants: $20,001 to $100,000 for improvements to local community, sporting and recreation facilities and local environments. Co-funding will be considered favourably in the assessment process and could be in the form of financial or in-kind contributions.

Eligibility Criteria

Incorporated not-for-profit organisations with proposals for projects located within the local government areas of Maribyrnong City Council and Hobsons Bay City Council can apply for a West Gate Neighbourhood Fund – Grant. Applications are invited from:
- incorporated not-for-profit community organisations
- groups auspiced by not-for-profit community organisations.
Incorporated not-for-profit community organisations may include but are not limited to:
- charities
- organisations with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) or Public Benevolent Institution (PBI) status
- cooperatives
- companies limited by guarantee and/or limited by shares (non-distribution of profits or dividends)
- trusts that are registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)
- associations (under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009)
- Local Aboriginal Land Councils
- organisations established under an Act of Parliament.
To be eligible to apply for a West Gate Neighbourhood Fund – Grant, applicants must:
- be based in the Maribyrnong City Council or Hobsons Bay City Council, or conduct activities that benefit members of these communities
- propose a project where the majority of participants and/or recipients are residents of the Maribyrnong City Council or Hobsons Bay City Council
- demonstrate that the project can be delivered within 12 months of the receipt of funding
- have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
- have current public liability insurance (PLI).