Community Grant FAQs

Mount Alexander Shire Council allocates funds each year to support new and innovative community projects that align with the strategic objectives in the Council Plan 2021-2025(PDF, 4MB) .

The Community Grants program comprises of two funding streams:

• Small grants up to $3,000 per application.
• Partnership grants up to $10,000 per application.

Two funding rounds of $50,000 are open each year: January and June.

To gain a better understanding of the right funding stream for your project, read the Community Grants Program Guidelines(PDF, 583KB).

A partnership grant requires a minimum of three partnering groups/organisations.

Partnership grant applications have the following requirements:

• One partner to be nominated as the ‘lead’ partner.
• The lead partner to be either a not-for-profit incorporated group or a registered charity.
• The lead partner to submit the application, as they will be responsible for managing the funds, funding agreement and project delivery.
• Each partner to have a meaningful role.
• A project plan detailing how the project will be delivered including the role and responsibility of each partner.
• A budget plan detailing how the funding will be spent, including quotes for any equipment purchases associated with project. 

• Projects that are based in Mount Alexander Shire and directly benefit its local community.
• Projects that align with Mount Alexander Shire Council’s Council Plan 2021-2025(PDF, 4MB), community plans and other plans and strategies.
• Applications that provide financial or in-kind support to the project.
• Projects that address climate change, social inclusion and gender equity.

An auspicing agent is another organisation that is a legal entity with an ABN.

The auspicing agent agrees to hold the legal and financial responsibilities of the funded project.

Individuals or unincorporated applicants are responsible for finding an auspice before start the application process.

Auspiced applications must have a signed auspice agreement.

Applicants will not be eligible for funding, even under auspice, if they are:

• political parties
• seeking funding for political or religious activities
• for-profit enterprises.

Applicants will need to supply the following eligibility information:

• An ABN or incorporation number.
• Evidence of membership with their parent organisation.
• Auspicing Agents can be from outside of Mount Alexander Shire.
• Please note that some Auspicing Agents may retain a fee for their service.

If you are ready to go, download the Auspicing Agreement(PDF, 107KB) form.

It is your responsibility as the applicant to obtain and maintain adequate insurance (incl. public liability).

This protects you against any claims for loss or damage to property and injury or death to persons. 

It is your responsibility as the applicant to apply for and obtain all required permits for the project (incl. planning, building or local laws permits).

Applying for a permit can cost between $100 and $1,500 and should be included in the budget, if required, as permit fees will not be waivered by Council for projects funded through the Community Grants Program.

Funding through our Community Grants program does not constitute approval of required permits.

For more information about what permits you may need, visit our Permit Finder tool.

All applications need to be completed online with our SmartyGrants tool.

Before you start the application process, you must speak with a member of the community partnerships team to confirm that you and your project are eligible to apply.

To start the application, either click on the Register button (new applicants) or login with your Smartygrants username and password (previous applicants).

Once you’ve registered, click on the Start New Submission for Community Grants 2022 – Round 2 and select the funding stream you wish to apply for (Small Grant or Partnership Grant) then complete the following:

• Eligibility and Auspice Information (if applicable).
• Project Summary.
• Project Budget.
• Declaration form.

Once complete, review your application before submitting to complete the application process. 

All questions that require an answer have a red asterisk (*) to show a response is required.

If you try to submit an application that has unanswered mandatory questions a red message will appear at the section that is incomplete.

You will need to answer the question to complete the application process. 

Yes, you can submit more than one application for each funding stream.

However, eligible applicants may only receive one grant per funding stream each year.

Applications for the 2024 Community Grants program open on the following dates:

Round 1
Opens: 20 January 2025
Closes: 10 February 2025

Round 2
Opens: 14 July 2025
Closes: 4 August 2025

All applications need to be submitted by the closing date and time.

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. 

All applications must be completed online.

Hard copy applications will not be accepted.

Please contact a member of the community partnerships team if you require assistance with completing the form online. 

If you have any further questions or would like to know more about the Community Grants program, email the community partnerships Team on grants@mountalexander.vic.gov.au or call 03 5471 1700.