Deadline: 6-Apr-25
Applications are now open for the Wellbeing and Support Grants Program to assist with the establishment of new community organisations, projects and services, as well as the enhancement of existing projects and programs, for the benefit of the diverse community.
It funds initiatives that:
- improve residents’ health and wellbeing
- support opportunities for volunteering
- build the capacity of community groups, projects and programs to be sustainable.
Grant Categories
- There are 3 categories of funding:
- Seeding grant (up to $5,000)
- To support setting up new organisations, groups, clubs, projects, programs or services.
- You must show that ongoing costs, such as venue hire, insurance or activity costs can be sustained without further Council support beyond the first year.
- Volunteer Support grant (up to $3,000)
- To grow and develop volunteering in Cardinia Shire.
- Examples include:
- establishing volunteering programs
- training and development of volunteers, where not mandated by regulation, nor within the scope of training that is provided by the organisation
- promotion of volunteering opportunities.
- Small change grant (up to $1,000)
- To help with a range of minor operational and equipment costs that cannot be met through other funding sources. Applications for Christmas decorations will be considered under this category.
- Funding will not be allocated to support the running of events.
- Seeding grant (up to $5,000)
What won’t be funded?
- activities which are a primary or core service and/or responsibility of Council or State or Federal governments
- individuals
- private, profit-making organisations
- political organisations
- capital works projects (as defined in Council’s Community Capital Works Grants Policy)
- public space/township beautification projects
- replacement of existing equipment and/or furnishings at community and recreational facilities
- maintenance of community or recreational facilities.
Eligibility Criteria
- To be eligible for this grant program, groups and organisations must be:
- not-for-profit
- locally based and/or servicing Cardinia Shire residents; and
- a Community Asset Committee of Council; or
- incorporated (or be auspiced by an incorporated organisation – please note, Community Asset Committees cannot take on the function of an auspice) or operated by a Committee of Management, or an alternative formally recognised governance model (e.g company limited by guarantee)
- Community groups with incomplete or outstanding projects must complete these before any further applications will be considered.
- Multiple applications may be considered if this grants program is undersubscribed in any given year, however all applications must meet the funding criteria and be assessed as eligible.
- All applications must also:
- demonstrate a benefit to the health and wellbeing of Cardinia Shire residents and align with Cardinia’s Liveability Plan
- support equitable access and inclusion
- address an unmet need (and provide evidence of this need)
- clearly identify beneficiaries
- clearly state objectives with measurable outcomes; and
- address how the application fits within the scope of the grant category.
For more information, visit Cardinia Shire Council.