2025-26 Business Façade and Economic Activation Grant recipients

Published on 30 September 2025

Council is pleased to announce the successful recipients of our two 2025-2026 Economic Development grant programs, designed to strengthen our commercial precincts, activate our public spaces and foster pride of place.

2025-2026 Business Façade Improvement Grant recipients

Nine Stonnington businesses and property owners have been awarded funding to refresh their shopfronts and building facades, thanks to Council’s Business Façade Improvement Grant program.

Proposals were assessed against several criteria including how the appearance of their facade will improve the precinct, while strengthening the unique identity of Stonnington retail streets.

The successful projects include high-impact façade improvements such as painting, awning refurbishment, lighting, and signage upgrades.

This initiative aligns with Council’s objectives to be a vibrant and attractive city with a unique identity.

Visit the Business Façade Improvement Grants webpage for more information on this year's successful grant recipients.

2025-2026 Economic Activation and Events Grant recipients

The community can look forward to a calendar of exciting events and activations across Stonnington later this year, with six new recipients announced under Council’s Economic Activation and Event Grants program for 2025–26.

Following the success of the 2024–25 program, this year’s grant round was highly competitive, attracting 15 unique applications that aim to inspire and engage the community.

Proposals were assessed on their ability to:

• deliver unique and engaging experiences for locals and visitors
• support local businesses
• enhance our public spaces
• generate economic and social benefits to the community.

The six successful recipients represent a diverse mix of events, covering:

• art
• culture
• dance
• sport
• food and wine
• music.

Together these events will be run between November 2025 and June 2026, activating key precincts and public spaces across our city, while supporting local business and showcasing the vibrancy of our community.

For more details on the grants program and where and when these vibrant events will take place, visit our Economic Activation and Event Grants webpage.