Funding totalling $772 131 has been awarded to 78 applicants in the latest round of community grants endorsed by Council.
The round covered seven grant programs: Arts Projects Clean Economy Climate Change Partnerships Community Events Community Strengthening Creative Commissions and Environmental Sustainability.
A total of 176 applications were received requesting $1 997 959 in funding. Applications were open from July to September 2025.
Grant outcomes:
- Arts Projects: 11 successful applicants receiving $105 920
- Clean Economy: three successful applicants receiving $48 362
- Climate Change Partnership: five successful applicants receiving $180 000
- Community Events Grants: 16 successful applicants receiving $95 000
- Community Strengthening: 31 successful applicants receiving $203 214
- Creative Commissions: four successful applicants receiving $80 000
- Environmental Sustainability: 8 successful applicants receiving $59 635
Some of the successful grant recipients include:
- Essential Theatre Inc will receive $10 000 funding for ‘This is Your Bookmark – Where we Meet’ a new theatre work amplifying local women’s voices.
- Medsalv Australia Pty Ltd will receive $18 450 funding for a prototype energy-efficient drying system in Geelong
- Rotary Club of Highton will receive $23 900 funding for their ‘Buzz Bloom and Thrive: Greening Geelong Nature Strips’ project.
- Gateways Support Services will receive $10 000 funding for their 2026 Easter Family Fun Festival.
- Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria will receive $9 590 funding to deliver aquatic activities for people with vision loss and provide staff training.
- National Celtic Folk Festival Inc will receive $20 000 funding for ‘Never Always Ever Was’ a theatre project exploring climate change memory and belonging across decades.
An independent Community Assessment Panel of 11 members reviewed and assessed all applications using endorsed policy and guidelines supported by specialist advice from City officers.
Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM
Congratulations to all the successful applicants. These grants support the people and organisations who are working hard to strengthen and improve our community.
These partnerships will deliver benefits across many areas of need and I’m excited to see these projects come to life.
Finance portfolio chair Councillor Andrew Katos
There was great interest this year with 176 applications requesting almost $2 million in funding.
While not every proposal could be funded I encourage applicants to explore the City’s other upcoming grant opportunities.
Successful applicants for the Community Infrastructure Grants will be announced on 25 February 2026.
The entire list of successful grant applicants can be viewed online.