The Community Grants Program supports not-for-profit organisations to present a variety of projects and activities which enhance the social, cultural, environmental and economic development of the community.

Community Grant Categories

• General Community Grant
  $2001 to $5,000 for equipment or other projects to assist community groups with equipment, activities and promotion. Other project can be a seeding grant, or funding for a consultant or designer.
• Festivals, Celebrations and Events Grant
  $2001 to $5,000 to support community groups to run local community events.
• Minor Capital Works Grant
  Funding up to $5,000 to support improvements, renovations and fitted or fixed equipment purchases for community facilities.
  Groups applying for a Minor Capital Works Grant must seek advice from Council when planning a project and before making an application online, otherwise the application will be ineligible.
• Climate Action Grant
  Funding up to $5,000 to fund project management, promotion, education and minor infrastructure.
  Major project funding up to $10,000 - one per round - to support more substantial projects that accelerate community-led climate action such as feasibility study for community energy project, smart grid technology, behaviour change program in climate space.
  For further information about this category, particularly the major project funding, please call Council on 1300 BCOAST (226 278) or 5671 2211 and ask to speak to our Climate Change and Sustainability Advisor.

Who is eligible to apply?

An applicant must:

• Be based in Bass Coast or the project must be based in Bass Coast
• Be registered as a not-for-profit legal entity, for example an incorporated association, registered charity; or
• Be a not-for-profit unincorporated group that is auspiced by a registered not-for-profit legal entity and have at least $10 million Public Liability Insurance to cover all aspects of the project. Exceptions may be made for applications requesting low risk equipment purchases.
• Government funded agencies such as emergency services, schools and other groups may be funded for projects that are of benefit to the broader community and outside the scope of their usual funding. 
• Have an Australian Business Number (ABN) or attach an Australian Taxation Office Statement by a Supplier form to the application. 
• Have acquitted any previous Council grants and have no outstanding debts to Bass Coast Shire Council.

Unincorporated Organisations

An unincorporated organisation must have their application auspiced by an eligible incorporated organisation. Information on the auspicing body is required in the application including their ABN details, copy of current public liability insurance and a completed Auspice Agreement.

• Phone: 1300 226 278 or 03 5671 2211
• Email: grantenquiry@basscoast.vic.gov.au