Grants and Sponsorships: Council's Community Investment Funding

Sponsorship funds are aimed at public promotion of Mornington Peninsula Shire, its agencies or programs as opposed to material contribution towards the staging of an event.  This funding program is highly competitive and applicants must ensure the Sponsorship Guidelines(PDF, 561KB)  are understood before applying.

The scope of the program does not include the receiving of sponsorship requests for infrastructure or naming rights on infrastructure.  

Apply Here

The Shire subsidises a number of community groups and organisations to support the delivery of essential services, community programs, life-saving, community transport, legal services and other initiatives.

Recipients of subsidies were invited to apply when subsidies opened on 13 July 2023 and closed on 7 September 2023.

Council's Community Investment Funding supports the following community groups and organisations to deliver these services.

Community Partnerships, Services and Programs Subsidy

• Bunurong Land Council $100,000
• Friends of Los Palos $9,000

Community Transport and Road Safety Subsidy

Local Essential Safety Services Subsidy

Repower Mornington Peninsula Subsidy

Tourism Business Subsidy

Mornington Peninsula Seniors Festival 2023 Subsidy

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
Biolinks Support Grant Round 2 (2022)(PDF, 303KB)
Biolinks Support Grant Round 3 (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) 

Council’s Community Investment Funding is available to community groups/organisations, businesses, sole traders, schools and not-for-profit organisations that seek to build our community’s resilience.  This is achieved through a collaborative partnership with the Shire where our many grants provide the opportunity for empowering our community to lead their own projects/initiatives, that address a local need and/or priority with a recognised community benefit.  The Shire’s grants focus on strengthening performing arts development, taking climate action, enhancing biodiversity, restoring our heritage buildings, making our townships vibrant through arts, culture and history as well as festivals and events.   The Shire is also committed to building the capacity of our volunteers, increasing social connections and creating a sense of belonging through placemaking as well as improving the built and natural environments through our community capital.  Council adopted the current Community Investment Funding Policy on 12 July 2022.  The Policy identifies the principles for our grants program and the 4 year cycle of investment and renewal aligned to our Council and Wellbeing Plan.

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

As we have limited funding, the Shire also provides a funding finder search engine, free for our community.  This is a one stop shop for community groups/organisations, businesses and schools to search for other funding that is currently open to support their projects/initiatives.  You just need to register to get grant opportunities sent to you with your preferences.  

• 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, 124KB) - an example of how to complete a budget