Deadline: 3-Mar-23
The Merri-bek City Council is seeking applications for the Merri-bek City Council Annual Community Grants Program.
This Community Grants Program aims to work in partnership with community groups and individuals to create a sustainable, active, healthy, inclusive and empowered Merri-bek. The Program is based on Council’s Community Grants Policy and provides support for new and innovative initiatives that respond to emerging community needs. It is a competitive process and limited by the amount of funds available. Applicants are not guaranteed funding, nor the full amount requested.
Community Grants Objectives
The objectives of this program are aligned with the themes in the Council Plan 2021-2025 that has been shaped by the voice of the community:
- An environmentally proactive Merri-bek: To strive for maximum protection of people, plants and animals through leading an urgent response to the climate emergency and a regeneration of the natural environment.
- Moving and living safely in Merri-bek: To contribute to the health, safety, and security of everyone living in their diverse community and to increase safe, accessible, physically active and enjoyable ways to get around Merri-bek, especially via walking, cycling and public transport.
- A healthy and caring Merri-bek: To support Merri-bek to become a more inclusive, connected, healthy and caring community through providing equitable access to community facilities and services and facilitating local partnerships and programs
- Vibrant spaces and places in Merri-bek: To create welcoming, unique spaces and places across Merribek that attract and connect everyone, improving access to community facilities and affordable housing and encouraging vibrant artistic, social and economic activity.
- An empowered and collaborative Merri-bek: To build community trust through encouraging participation, evidence-based decision making, stewardship of resources and being accessible and responsive.
Funding Priorities
- Applications that meet one or more of the Funding Priorities, will score higher in the assessment process:
- The project supports Council’s priority communities including:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities,
- Migrant and refugee communities,
- People with disability,
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual plus, Transgender and gender diverse, Intersex, Queer, Asexual and Aromantic communities (LGBTIQA+),
- Women,
- Youth,
- Seniors,
- Children.
- The project is planned and delivered by community groups and organisations that work together,
- The project has clear benefits for people living in Merri-bek,
- The project considers its environmental impact and tries to minimise it where possible.
- The project supports Council’s priority communities including:
Program Principles
- Inclusion: Providing opportunities for individuals and groups to meaningfully take part in community life.
- Equity: Consciously addressing the barriers faced by disadvantaged groups and individuals.
- Impact: Taking a purposeful and strategic approach to funding projects that deliver meaningful social impact.
- Capacity building: Supporting individuals and groups to develop practices, skills and resilience to shape their own futures.
- Collaboration: Encouraging networks and partnerships to deliver exceptional strategic outcomes together.
- Transparency: Delivering a funding program that is transparent and accountable in all processes and decisions.
Funding Categories
- Community Strengthening Grant: $7,000
- To support projects that enhance the Merri-bek Community and aim to address areas such as social inclusion and community participation, environmental sustainability, healthy and active living and creating vibrant spaces
- Funded Period: 12 months
- Organisational Establishment Grant: $10,000 per annum
- To support newly established organisations or groups over three years to grow and become independent.
- Funding Timeline: Funding 1 July 2023 – 30 June 2026
- Facility Improvement Grant: Small Capital Projects $10,000
- To support minor improvements to facilities that will help local people participate more in community life.
- Funded Period: 12 months
What’s not Funded?
- Projects that do not align with the Community Grant Program Principles and Community Grants Objectives
- Applications that don’t meet the requirements of the grant category
- Legal fees or debts
- Fundraising activities Projects that are for general fundraising and fundraising events, competitions, trophies, prizes or awards
- Permanent public art installations
- Projects that have already started or have been completed
- Activities that are part of an organisation’s regular program or that duplicate an existing program
- Items that are part of an organisation’s core business or normal operating expenses e.g. salaries, insurances, utilities, rental of business premises
- Projects that are the funding responsibility of other levels of government
- State-wide activities that do not directly benefit the Merri-bek community
- Privately-owned, for-profit businesses
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements. Ineligible applications will not be assessed.
- Eligible Applicants:
- Organisations, groups and clubs
- Be a Not-for-Profit community group, organisation or club,
- Be incorporated or auspiced by another incorporated organisation,
- Have adequate public liability insurance,
- Have acquitted previous Council grants and have no outstanding debts to Council,
- Be able to supply financial statements and requested supporting documentation,
- Ensure the proposed activity is consistent with Local, State and Federal laws.
- Individuals
- Must be a resident of Merri-bek,
- Show that they have been invited to participate in an activity by an organisation or group,
- Show that there are financial barriers to participating in the activity.
- Organisations, groups and clubs
- Organisations may receive funding for up to two grants per calendar year. Where two applications are made, each grant must have different stakeholders in the community that benefit from the grant and different community outcomes.
For more information, visit Merri-bek City Council.