Community groups invited to apply for grants funding

The City of Greater Geelong is making almost $4.48 million in funding available to local community clubs, groups and organisations through its expanded 2024-25 Community Grants program.

The funding pool, which has increased by $431,000 on last year, will support a range of community-led initiatives, including new or upgraded community facilities, environmental sustainability and arts and culture projects, community events and equipment purchases.

During its meeting on Tuesday night, the Council approved updated Community Grants guidelines, including increasing the maximum grant amount under the major Community Infrastructure stream from $350,000 to $400,000.

A new Creative Commissions Program within the Creative Communities stream will offer grants of up to $20,000 for established professional artists and creatives to deliver large-scale, inspiring projects.

Applications for the majority of grants will open this Saturday 1 June.

Mayor Trent Sullivan:

The grants program is one of the most important ways for the Council to support the local community.

Over the years our community grants have directed millions of dollars to projects big and small, from changeroom or lighting upgrades at sporting clubs, to wonderful community events, to projects that have made a big difference in helping our environment.

The majority of funding is directed to volunteer-run clubs and groups and is vital in helping make their projects possible.

We are pleased to be increasing our support for these wonderful groups and volunteers by significantly increasing the funding available in 2024-25.

The full list of available grants is as follows:

Community Infrastructure
Applications open: 1 June to 19 August
Total budget: $3 million (up from $2.7 million last year)
Maximum grant amount: $400,000 for capital works, $50,000 for planning for capital works
Funding to plan or deliver new or upgraded community facilities on public land, or private land that is accessible to the broader community.

Arts Projects
Applications open: 1 June to 22 July
Total budget: $120,000
Maximum grant amount: $10,000
Aims to support arts projects in the City of Greater Geelong and is available to those working in all art forms, including but not limited to, music, dance, visual arts, fashion, writing/literature, performing arts, design, film/video and digital media.

Clean Economy
Applications open: 1 June to 19 August
Total budget: $50,000
Maximum grant amount: $25,000
Provides support for organisations to establish proof of concept for clean technologies and circular economy solutions that will benefit the Geelong community.

Climate Change Partnerships
Applications open: 1 June to 22 July
Total budget: $180,000 (up from $130,000 last year)
Maximum grant amount: $50,000
To support projects and activities that will help reduce the impacts of climate change.

Community Events
Applications open: 1 June to 22 July
Total budget: $200,000 (up from $180,000 last year)
Maximum grant amount: $10,000
To help with operating expenses for safe, moderate sized public events that provide economic and community benefit.

Creative Commissions Program
Applications open: 1 June to 22 July
Total budget: $60,000 (new grant)
Maximum grant amount: $20,000
Support for established, professional artists and creatives to deliver large-scale projects within the City of Greater of Geelong. Available to those working in all art forms.

Environmental Sustainability
Applications open: 1 June to 22 July
Total budget: $70,000 (last year $90,000)
Maximum grant amount: $10,000 for projects and small scale capital works, $2,000 for equipment.
To assist with the cost of small capital works projects that will benefit the environment (such as water tanks and solar panels), environmental sustainability projects, programs and community activities, or equipment to help community groups deliver environment-focused services and programs.

First Nations Cultural Heritage
Applications open: To be advised
Total budget: $100,000 (up from $90,000 last year)
Maximum grant amount: $100,000
For projects that recognize, restore, protect and preserve Aboriginal cultural heritage.

Geelong Heritage
Applications open: 1 June to 19 August
Total budget: $100,000 (up from $90,000 last year)
Maximum grant amount: 70 per cent of total project cost, to a maximum of $40,000
For building or streetscape projects with identified historic value that are visible to the public and focus on presentation to a street or public space.

Healthy and Connected Communities
Applications open: 1 June to 22 July
Total budget: $263,000 (up from $245,000 last year)
Maximum grant amount: $10,000 for projects, $2000 for equipment
For projects, programs, activities, events and equipment that will help improve community health and wellbeing, build community capacity and generally benefit the community.

Clever and Creative Seed
Applications open: 1 June to 29 July
Total budget: $25,000
Maximum grant amount: $2500
Small grants to help artists and creatives initiate, explore or activate new ideas or new approaches to their work.

Neighbourhood Houses (invitation only)
Applications open: 1 June to 29 July.
Total budget: $182,500 (up from $167,500 last year)
Maximum grant amount: $12,500
For neighbourhood houses to help with operating costs and delivering community development projects.
 
For full grant guidelines and to apply, please click here.

For further information or support completing an application, the City’s grants team is available to help via [email protected] or 5272 5560.

Councillor Bruce Harwood: 

We encourage everyone to visit the website, see what funding is available and think about how you could access it.

This is a great opportunity, especially given we know how challenging many groups are finding it to meet operating costs and raise funds in the current challenging economic climate.

Applications for Children’s Week grants are open now, while applications for Christmas in the Community (for Neighbourhood Houses) will open 20 July, Community Events – Quick Response in January 2025, and Artists & Creatives Professional Development grants in February 2025.