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Grants and Funding

Helping community organisations, businesses and sole traders connect with and apply for grants and funding.

Access our Funding Finder portal to find grants and funding from a wide range of sources for your best chance of success.
Use our training and resources to help you discover and apply for grants.
Learn about and apply for Shire grants targeted to help deliver on the Community's Vision for the Peninsula.

This work is guided by the Community Vision and our Community Investment Funding Policy.

Council will consider the 2023-24 Grant Program Guidelines at the Council Meeting to be held on 30 May 2023 (subject to change). The guidelines will be available on this page following adoption by Council.

Open and upcoming grants

Youth Development Grants

Youth Development Grant provides support for young people experiencing financial hardship, to participate in music, sport, art and cultural endeavours.

Closed grants

Biolinks Support Grant

To support biolink projects, the Shire is seeking applications for projects aligned with the objectives and actions of the Mornington Peninsula Biodiversity Conservation Plan

Business Development Grant

To enable business growth and improvements

Climate Action Grant

Climate Action Grants up to $10,000 are available for small businesses, schools and community groups that help reach the targets outlined in the Shire’s Climate Emergency Plan.

Community Events Grant

Community groups and organisations can apply for event funding to assist with the delivery of events that benefit our local community.

Community Placemaking Grants

We invite applications from non-profit community organisations for general grants to assist with projects which benefit the Mornington Peninsula community.

Community Support Grant

Grants for non-profit community organisations for general grants to assist with projects which benefit the Mornington Peninsula community.

Creative Economy Grant

Community groups and individual artists interested in initiating arts and cultural activities and programs with public outcomes are invited to apply for funding.

Flexi Grants

Our Flexi Grants recognise that some community groups just need a small helping hand.

Heritage Grant

Funding is to assist owners of heritage places to carry out heritage conservation projects.

Performing Arts Fund

The Performing Arts Fund will invest in Mornington Peninsula-based creative organisations and individuals that seek to develop and deliver new and innovative artistic works, grow employment opportunities for creative and cultural workers, and engage communities with the performing arts.

Significant Events Grant

Community groups and organisations can apply for event funding to assist with the delivery of events that benefit our local community.

Awarded grants

Hear from some of the community groups that have completed their projects with support from the Shire's Community Grants Program.

Rosebud Astral Theatre Society - The Buckley Opera Project (Creative Community Grant)
Main Ridge Men's Shed - Bandsaw/Trailer Construction (Community Placemaking Grant)
Blairgowrie Community Garden - Stage 2 of Garden Construction (Community Placemaking Grant)
Red Hill Community Association - Red Hill Reflections Mural (Creative Community Grant)
New Peninsula Men's Shed - Buddy Bench Program (Community Support Program)

View successful applicants, projects and funded amounts for our recent grant programs.

Community Placemaking Grant (Feb 2022)(PDF, 225KB)
Community Placemaking Grant (July 2022)(PDF, 313KB)
Business Online Initiatives Grant(PDF, 245KB)
Tourism Marketing and Membership Subsidy
Business Continuity Planning and Expansion Grant(PDF, 219KB)
New Business Support Grant(PDF, 209KB)
Events and Festivals Grants(PDF, 232KB)
Biolinks Support Grant(PDF, 303KB)
Biolinks Support Grant 2022(PDF, 219KB)
Climate Action Grant Round 2 (2022)(PDF, 227KB)
Climate Action Grant Round 3 (2022)(PDF, 325KB)
Business Development Grant (2022)(PDF, 211KB)
Significant Events Grant (2022)(PDF, 214KB)
Community Events Grant (2022)(PDF, 327KB)
Creative Economy Grant (2022)(PDF, 308KB)
Performing Arts Fund(PDF, 347KB)

How to find and apply for grants and funding

Community funding is an investment in our Peninsula. It builds capacity and encourages community-led initiatives or partnerships that benefit the community. The Shire's grants program is developed in line with the Community Investment Funding Policy. The policy outlines the ways the Shire creates and reviews its Grants Programs.

Watch the information video on Applying for a Grant
Watch the video on Alternative Funding Sources
Watch our Grant Writing Tips.

We also offer Funding Finder - a database of grants and funding opportunities for businesses, community groups, not-for-profits and individuals. All Shire grants and funding programs are also listed on Funding Finder once open for applications. This makes Funding Finder a one stop shop for accessing grants and funding.

Learn how Funding Finder works for you(PDF, 300KB) .
Register on Funding Finder to stay up to date on the latest opportunities.

Further information and documents

Community Investment Funding - Frequently Asked Questions(PDF, 302KB) - answers to most queries and questions we receive.
Auspicing Agreement Form(PDF, 309KB) - organisations who will apply under an auspice arrangement need to complete and submit this form with the online application.
SmartyGrants Help Guide for Applicants(PDF, 1MB) - All applications must be submitted online via SmartyGrants. This guide will assist applicants with the process.
Sample budget(PDF, 106KB) - an example of how to complete a budget

2023/24 Federal Budget

The GrantGuru team has reviewed the 2023/24 Federal Budget and prepared a Business Grants Review - read the full report here.

Information sessions

Grant information sessions will be scheduled for June 2023 to assist with preparation for the upcoming financial year release of funds (opening 13 July). This is an opportunity to discuss your project ideas and gain assistance with the application process when applying for a grant in one of the funding streams.

This page will be updated shortly with session details.

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