Community Investment Funding - Grants

The purpose of a Sponsorship is to attract new opportunities or opportunities for expansion of existing prioritised businesses or programs within the Shire that will contribute to the Shire's economic; social/cultural, environmental output.  Sponsorship is seen as a financially supported promotional alliance for mutual benefit rather than a material contribution towards the staging of an event.

For further information on Sponsorships contact the Program Manager at business@mornpen.vic.gov.au

Sponsorship Programs

Bronze Sponsorship

• Up to $10,000
• Option of 1 - 4 year period
• Substantial impact for the Shire as a local attraction

Silver Sponsorship

• Up to $20,000
• Option of 1 - 4 year period
• Substantial impact for the Shire as a regional/local attraction

Gold Sponsorship

• Up to $35,000
• Option of 1 - 4 year period
• Substantial impact for the Shire as a state/regional attraction

Platinum Sponsorship

• Up to $50,000
• Option of 1 - 4 year period
• Substantial impact for the Shire as a national/state attraction

Each financial year the Shire seeks Expressions of Interest for innovative proposals from eligible applicants that meet the criteria outlined in the table below. Subject to an assessment of each EOI, applicants may be invited to submit a detailed proposal. We reserve the right to conduct an interview as part of the detailed proposal submission.

Priorities and Criteria

Priorities for Sponsorships

• Enhances the reputation and visitation to the Mornington Peninsula Shire Local Government Area
• Boosts the prosperity of the Mornington Peninsula through increased economic activity and jobs
• Builds a flourishing and diverse Mornington Peninsula creative ecosystem.

Activity support

• Acceleration of the protection and resilience of Mornington Peninsula’s natural environment and/or renewal energies
• National competition/tournaments
• Industry and trade exhibitions to facilitate major business investment in the Mornington Peninsula
• Showcases the Mornington Peninsula as a destination for performing and visual arts

Criteria

• Scope of the proposal achieves one or more of the priorities
• The Sponsorship sought demonstrates proportional high value to the scope and cost of the proposed project
• Mornington Peninsula’s reputation and economic output will increase as a result of the proposed project
• The applicant’s marketing/promotional plan offers multiple positive opportunities for Council
• The applicant’s proposed project provides opportunities for Councillors / CEO or delegate to be involved in the proposed project

Expressions of Interest - CLOSED 

Community Investment Funding (CIF) supports local organisations to deliver essential services, programs to support our community needs. Funding empowers local volunteering and community organisations to make a real difference to outcomes for the community, at the local level.

Funding for subsidies was adopted by Council 6 May 2025 meeting and the approved recipient organisations and community groups were subsequently adopted by Council at the 1 July meeting 2025. Subsidies will be made available to organisations adopted by Council through the online SmartyGrants process.

Download: Subsidies Guidelines 2025-26(PDF, 2MB)

The Community Investment Funding Grants, Sponsorships and Subsidies provide funding to local organisations and community groups to support community-led projects and partnerships that deliver tangible benefits across the Mornington Peninsula.

The Grants program through this community investment funding empowers initiatives that promote volunteer participation, build social cohesion, strengthen community capacity and builds resilience to enhance overall community wellbeing. By funding these inclusive services, programs, and events, the Shire helps create a stronger, more connected Peninsula where everyone can feel a sense of belonging, connection and fosters long-term positive outcomes.

Council adopted the current Community Investment Funding Policy on 06 May 2025. The Policy identifies the principles for our grants program and the 4-year cycle of investment and renewal aligned to our Council Plan and Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan.

Watch: Applying for a Grant (YouTube)

Download: Grants Frequently Asked Questions(PDF, 127KB)

Download: Auspice Agreement Form(PDF, 309KB) - organisations who apply under an auspice arrangement need to complete and submit this form with the online application.

Download: SmartyGrants Help Guide for Applicants(PDF, 5MB) - All applications must be submitted online via SmartyGrants. This guide will assist applicants with the process.

Download: Budget Example(PDF, 241KB) - An example of how to complete a budget.

Download: How Funding Finder works for you(PDF, 300KB) (infographic)

Register: on Funding Finder to stay up to date on the latest opportunities.

The Senior’s Festival is a major state-wide festival offering opportunities for older people to participate in a wide range of activities throughout the month of October 2025.

This year’s State-wide theme is ‘Connect. Create. Celebrate.’ 

The aim of the Senior’s Festival is to:

• Celebrate the later part of life as a continuing stage of learning, socialising, and engaging in our local communities
• Recognise the valuable contribution made by older people living, working, volunteering, and visiting the Mornington Peninsula
• Promote the wide range of accessible opportunities that are available to older people on the Mornington Peninsula
• Encourage older people to try something new, discover a new place and make new social connections
• Offer positive perspectives on growing older that can help to combat ageism

Seniors Festival Subsidy

Through our Community Investment Funding Subsidies Program the Shire will support those eligible clubs and organisations involved in the 2025 Mornington Peninsula Seniors Festival by offering a Subsidy of $300. The funds are for the purpose of payment for your activity costs (i.e. catering, entertainment, promotions etc). Your event must be published in the Mornington Peninsula Seniors Festival Guide.

Eligible organisations will be contacted by email with a link to the Subsidy Application Form.

For information contact postiveageing@mornpen.vic.gov.au or call 5950 1695

For information about what’s on for this year’s Seniors festival visit Mornington Peninsula Seniors Festival or pick up a guide from your local library or Shire customer service centre.

Commemorative Events Subsidies are open to community groups/organisations seeking to deliver a National Commemorative Event for Australia Day Events, Survival Day Events and/or ANZAC Day Services.

Please see below the link to the application form.

Apply Now

Mornington Peninsula Community Charitable Trust (the Trust) was established in April 2008 through a signed Deed of Gift between the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Fund (LMCF) and the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council (the Shire).

Annual interest earned from the corpus is made available by LMCF to the Trust for distribution through recommendations made by The Trust’s Committee of Management. The Trust complies with Council’s Community Investment Funding Policy 2022 and Program Guidelines were adopted by Council in 2024.

This year the annual corpus is $12,600.00. Eligible organisations are required to have Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status.

The guidelines note the priorities of the LMCF however applications for viable projects/programs can be outside these priority areas where they benefit Mornington Peninsula Shire communities.

Download: Mornington Peninsula Community Charitable Trust Program Guidelines(PDF, 6MB)

For more information contact the Program Manager at communityinvestfunding@mornpen.vic.gov.au

Funding awarded

• 12 April 2025 - Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad Inc $7,600.00 grant approved for refurbishment of SPRS Vessel
• 14 April 2025 - Vinnies Kitchen $5,000.00 grant approved for Food Security for Homeless Program

Funding awarded and CLOSED for 2024-25. Funding information for the 2025-26 program will be available in November 2025.

View 2024-25 (full year) and 2025-26 (Quarter One - 13 July to 15 September) successful grants recipients, their projects and funding in links below.

Download: 2025-26 Q1 Grants Awarded(PDF, 549KB)

Download: 2024-25 CIF Grants Awarded(PDF, 1008KB)

The Shire sponsors a number of community groups and organisations to support the delivery of events and festivals.

Download: 2025-26 Q1 Sponsorships Awarded(PDF, 530KB)

Download: 2024-25 CIF Sponsorships Awarded(PDF, 619KB)

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 open on 13 July of each year.

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

Quarter One includes subsidies awarded between period 13 July and 15 September 2025.

Download: 2025-26 Q1 Subsidies Awarded(PDF, 441KB)

Download: 2024-25 CIF Subsidies Awarded(PDF, 448KB)

Download: CIF funding awarded 2019 - 30 June 2024(PDF, 1MB)