Facility Improvement Grant - Larger Project - Expression of Interest 2025

Submissions closed at midnight 11 November 2024 (AEDT).

Welcome to the Merri-bek City Councils online grant application service, powered by SmartyGrants.

New EOI Open Dates:  

   •   Opening date: Sunday, 27 Oct 2024 midnight (start of day)
   •   Closing date:  Monday, 11 Nov 2024 midnight (end of day)

 

Facility Improvement Grants - larger projects (Expressions of Interest) - due date will be extended.
This funding supports changes to community facilities or assets that will help community members participate more in community life. Priority is support community-led projects that increase community access and participation, demonstrate collaboration between groups and result in greater use of facilities. 

Use this application form to submit an Expression of Interest to apply for the following category:
  • Facility Improvement Grant - for larger projects (funding between $10,000 to $40,000) 
  • Read the Community Grant Guidelines for more information about this category and read the Facility Improvement Grant - Information Manual.  E-mail us at: communitygrants@merri-bek.vic.gov.au

Timing:
Expression of interest (EOI):
  •  Opens 1 August to end of day 11 November 2024 for the next funding round;
  •  An interview will be required for all EOI submissions and may be conducted from 27 October 2024. Otherwise we will assign you Council officers after the EOI's close.

If progressed to Stage two, a full application will be accepted between 1 January - 28 February 2025 and include all information such as full quoting, schematic plans, permits, permissions and  access site audits.
  • Full application due: 1 January - 28 February 2025
  • Notification of Outcome: May 2025
  • Project Delivery: 1 July 2025 – 30 June 2026

Requirements:
 Applicants are required to:
  • Show how community groups collaborate to encourage greater use of the facilities by a range of community members
  • Contribute at least 25% to the total value of the project
  • Complete a two-part application process:
     1. Submit an EOI
     2. Applications that require an EOI will undergo a preliminary assessment process, including an interview and site visit where necessary, the EOI process will determine if the applicant is eligible and ready to submit a full application form in the next funding round, including full quotesand costings, Schematic plans, permits and acess site audits, depending on the project.

Preference will be given to projects that:
  • Address Community Grants Objectives and Funding Priorities
  • Meet the needs of the community
  • Plan for long term sustainability.

 

IMPORTANT: Please read information below to assist you in completing your application online.

Before you begin:

If you need more help using this form, download the Help Guide for Applicants or check out Applicant Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

NAVIGATING (MOVING THROUGH) THE APPLICATION FORM
On every screen (page of the form) you will find a Form Navigation contents box, this links directly to every page of the application. Click the link to jump directly to the page you want. 
You can also click 'next page' or 'previous page' on the top or bottom of each page to move forward or backward through the application.

SAVING YOUR DRAFT APPLICATION
If you wish to leave a partially completed application, press 'save' and log out. When you log back in and click on the 'My Submissions' link at the top of the screen, you will find a list of any applications you have started or submitted. You can reopen your draft application and start where you left off.

You can also download any application, whether draft or completed, as a PDF. Click on the 'Download' button located at the bottom of the last page of the application form.

SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION
You will find a Review and Submit button at the bottom of the Navigation Panel. You need to review your application before you can submit it.
Once you have reviewed your application you can submit it by clicking on 'Submit' at the top of the screen or on the navigation panel. You will not be able to submit your application until all the compulsory questions are completed.
Once you have submitted your application, no further editing or uploading of support materials is possible.
When you submit your application, you will receive an automated confirmation email with a copy of your submitted application attached. This will be sent to the email you used to register.
If you do not receive a confirmation of submission email then you should presume that your submission has NOT been submitted.

ATTACHMENTS AND SUPPORT DOCUMENTS
You may need to upload/submit attachments to support your application. This is very simple, but requires you to have the documents saved on your computer, or on a storage device.
You need to allow enough time for each file to upload before trying to attach another file. Files can be up to 25MB each; however, we do recommend trying to keep files to a maximum of 5MB – the larger the file, the longer the upload time.

COMPLETING AN APPLICATION IN A GROUP/TEAM
A number of people can work on an application using the same log in details as long as only one person is working at a time. Ensure you save as you go.

SPELL CHECK
Most internet browsers (including Firefox v2.0 and above; Safari; and Google Chrome) have spell checking facilities built in – you can switch this function on or off by adjusting your browser settings.