Council provides assistance to eligible not-for-profit/charitable organisations to implement Stonnington based programs that aim to meet the needs of the Stonnington community. The Council assistance consists of a cash grant and in-kind support (fee waivers on the use of Council facilities and Community bus service).
Applications for Community Grants open on Monday 14 June 2021 and close at midnight on Monday 12 July 2021.
We are currently accepting applications for the following Community Grants:
Community Capacity Building Grant (annual grant) – up to $15,000
This grant is provided to organisations to deliver programs, projects and activities that benefit Stonnington residents and align with Council priorities and strategic direction.
We will fund up to $15,000 for these types of activities:
- Social and cultural activities and events.
- Minor equipment purchases (less than $2,000).
- Environmental initiatives and programs.
- Health and wellbeing activities.
- Activities that increase opportunities for organised and passive physical exercise.
- Programs addressing priorities announced by Council as part of releasing the community grants program (eg. disaster event, significant social issues etc.)
This grant applies to programs carried out from July 2021 to June 2022.
Please read our guidelines for more information.
Apply
Partnership Grants (3 years) – up to $50,000
Partnership Grants are available to community organisations to provide programs and services within Stonnington that align with Council priorities. Eligible applicants are expected to demonstrate substantial capacity and sustainability beyond the life of the project.
Partnership Grants provide funding on a triennial (3 years) basis to support the planning and delivery of community based services, programs and activities. This funding will also support community organisations to plan longer term, attract resources and build strategic partnerships with other organisations in Stonnington.
We will fund up to $50,000 for these types of activities:
- Collaborations that strengthen community awareness, resilience and capacity.
- Multi-year projects that deal with complex issues.
- Interventions that prevent disadvantage or social harm.
- Programs that address financial hardship and deliver basic human needs.
- Programs addressing priorities announced by Council as part of releasing the community grants program (eg. disaster events, significant social issues etc.).
Please read our guidelines for more information.
Apply
Quick Response Grant (open from 20 July 2021) - up to $1,000
The Quick Response Grant program is available to provide eligible organisations with limited capacity to self-fund and support the delivery of activities or events in response to unforeseen issues or unexpected opportunities that benefit the Stonnington community.
The maximum cash amount offered through this stream is $1,000. As part of the application process, organisations can also apply for in-kind support if the proposed initiative requires the use of a Council venue or community bus. If approved, in-kind support is in addition to the cash grant.
Types of activities that we will fund:
- Unforeseen events or urgent issues posing a risk to existing community groups, programs or events.
- Unexpected initiatives that need Council's support and benefits a community group and/or the wider Stonnington community.
- Groups requiring small assistance to get a new project running or host a small community activity.
- Groups that have missed out on annual grants due to circumstances beyond their control (eg. incapacity of the person in charge of grants application due to illness).
There will be a limit of one application per group per financial year. Applications close once funds are exhausted.
Please read our guidelines for more information.
Apply
In Kind Grants (venue and transport)
This grant provides subsidised use of Council venues and community transport services to eligible groups and organisations.
Council venues for hire:
Community transport services for hire:
- Regular rostered services with a driver
- Community Group Organised Day trips – with a driver*
- Casual bus booking for mini-buses – without a driver†
Our Community Transport roster is based on a calendar year (January to December).
Please book your venue or transport service before applying for the grant and attach the booking confirmation to the online grant application.
Read our guidelines for more information on in-kind venue hire and transport services.
Apply
* This service is not available until further notice due to social distancing requirements. However, we invite groups and organisations to submit applications to access the service in the eventuality Council increases passenger capacity later.
† Only mini-buses can be booked under this service.
Our Community Grants program supports local projects that meet the following objectives and priorities articulated in the Council Plan and other key strategic and policy documents:
- Improve community health, well-being and safety.
- Enhance social connections.
- Promote accessibility and inclusiveness.
- Advance social cohesion and reconciliation.
- Actively promote environmental sustainability.
See our policy for more details.
Is my organisation eligible to apply for 2021/2022 Community Grant?
An organisation is eligible to apply for the Community Grants if it is a not-for-profit and incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act or enacted under legislative provisions for charitable purposes.
Note that a not-for-profit organisation is an organisation that provides services or undertake activities for the community’s benefits and does not operate to make a profit for its members.
Can an unincorporated organisation apply for 2021/2022 Community Grant?
Yes, it can apply for the Community Grans if it enters into an auspice arrangement with an incorporated not-for-profit organisation and provides a letter of approval from the organisation auspicing the project.
Auspice means the incorporated organisation is agreeing to the management of the grant funds on your behalf. If your application is approved, the money will be paid to the named auspice organisation to manage the funds on your behalf.
Organisations in auspice arrangement are not permitted to apply for the Partnership Grant (triennial).
Can an organisation submit multiple applications?
Yes, it can submit multiple applications for different projects. However, Council will only support up to two applications (projects or programs targeting areas of highest need or maximising program impact).
Can an organisation apply for more than one grant category (Annual, Partnership and In Kind)?
Yes, as long as it applies for funding for different projects.
Can the Community Grants be used to cover staff salary, administrative costs?
Yes, if you provide strong evidence that the program would not go ahead without staff support and that the administrative expenses covered by the funds are related to the specific program or program.
Can the Community Grants be used to finance capital works (eg. buildings’ structural improvement, refurbishment, building maintenance)?
No.
Note that the Community Grants can fund the purchase of equipment up to $2,000.
Which grant category shall my organisation apply for?
This will depend on the proposed project or program, including the issue to address. Please read the guidelines and refer to each fund’s category section ‘type of activities Council will support’.
Suppose the organisation seeks a cash grant and in-kind support (a venue or a community bus). In that case, it can apply for the Community Capacity Building Grant (annual) or Partnership Grant (triennial).
If the organisation wishes to use a Council venue or a community bus, it can apply for In Kind Grants.
Which essential documentation my organisation must provide?
- Certificate of Incorporation or evidence of legislative provisions for charitable purposes
- Current Certificate of Currency — Public Liability Insurance of no less than $20 million
- Minutes from your organisation’s last Annual General Meeting
- Current annual report or financial statement
- Child Safe Policy, if your project includes contact with children aged 0-18
- Auspice applicants must attach a letter of approval from the auspice organisation
- Evidence of tentative booking confirmation, if your project requires the use of a Council-owned facility and a community bus
- Copies of quotations for minor equipment (up to $2,000), if your organisation seeks funds to purchase equipment
How do I submit an application?
You can submit an application via the Smarty Grants portal.
Your organisation must register if it does not have a Smarty Grants account. To register, follow the following steps:
- Visit the Community Grants page and click on Apply.
- You will go to another page where you can either click on Log in or Start a submission. Both options will take you to another page.
- You can then register by clicking on the Register button