Community Strengthening Grant 2026

This is a preview of the Community Strenthening Grant - for groups 2026 form. You will be able to start a submission when the round opens at 1 January 2026 (AEDT)
 

Community Strengthening Grant - for groups 2026

About this grant

This funding supports community projects that benefit the Merri-bek Community and aim to address areas such as:
   • social inclusion and community participation
   • environmental sustainability
   • healthy and active living
   • creating vibrant spaces.

For groups:
To be eligible for this grant, groups must:
   • 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
   • Ensure the proposed activity is consistent with Local, State and Federal laws.

These documents must be ready to upload and attach:
   • Current Public Liability Insurance Policy
   • Most recent Financial Statement
   • Quotes or proof of costing for all project expense items
   • Letters of support from partnering groups that indicates you are working together for the project.

 Instructions:
   • Read the Grants Guidelines
   • Discuss your application with a Council Officer or send an e-mail to the grants team with details of your grant idea.
   • Submit the application by 28 February 2026 due date.
   • You can save and close your application to come back to later.
Help is available to complete the application, i.e.  translate into other languages or any other question. Please contact our Community Grants Team on 9240 1111 or communitygrants@merri-bek.vic.gov.au.

Eligibilty

This includes to supplement core staffing wages and elements of an exisiting core program and/or to pay a member as a 'temporary contractor'. See FAQ's

This section is not applicable because of your response to questions:

  • "I am applying on behalf of a not-for-profit community group or organisation." on page 1
  • "Outcomes will substantially benefit the wider Merri-bek community." on page 1
  • "Not be applying to reimburse or pay for expenses before grant start date 1 July 2026." on page 1
  • "I am not applying for funding to cover core wage costs, general operating expenses, or payments to individual members of the group." on page 1

Stop. Based on your responses to the checklist above, your proposal is not eligible to be considered for this grant.