Annual Community Grants

Support for projects and activities that strengthen the community, promote resilience and leadership, lifelong learning, encourage partnerships and involvement in community life and develop a strong sense of belonging and identity. This also includes projects that involve participants in developing activities that improve and encourage healthy and active lifestyles.

For example, projects and activities focussing on community issues and priorities such as community forums, exhibitions, sports day, youth-led activities, and activities that boost community volunteerism and promote social inclusion, access and participation.

People with disability and their carers are encouraged to apply in this category to improve inclusion and participation and to achieve positive changes in attitudes, structures and practices in Brimbank.

Support the community to implement projects that fall under the five themes of the Climate Emergency Plan: People Power, 100% Renewable, Green and Cool, Resilient Rebuild and Circular Economy.

For example, a tree planting day to create shade at a community gathering place, an upcycling project where something new is created using recycled or scrap materials, establishing a community composting or a circular economy initiative to encourage material or food waste reduction, a native species planting project to educate and support habitat gardening in backyards.

Support projects or activities that improve community mental health and wellbeing, build community capacity to support mental wellbeing and strengthen community connections.

For example, programs and activities that reduce loneliness and social isolation, promote good mental health and wellbeing in the community, raise awareness of mental health and reduce stigma, such as mental health first aid training, forums or information sessions, and encourage people who are experiencing or are at risk of mental health to seek help.

This category supports setting up new community groups, including new Seniors Groups permanently based in Brimbank. Applicants can be unincorporated at the time of application but must be able to provide evidence of incorporation and public liability insurance in their final grant's acquittal report.

For example, costs that can be covered include incorporation and insurance costs, stationery, materials and equipment to support setup, promotion and recruitment of new members, or venue hire for your regular meetings.

This category is for a young person or group of young people (aged 12-25 years) who are supported by an auspice organisation or are part of an incorporated group, to deliver a project, event or program that positively impacts other young people in the Brimbank community.

For example, projects and activities co-designed or led and initiated by young people, such as forums, sporting activities, art exhibitions, performances, mentoring and hangouts.

Support Brimbank’s smaller groups and organisations to build a more connected and engaged community, through the delivery of small-scale festivals and events, primarily attracting local audiences.

Examples include art, music, sporting or cultural celebrations, Reconciliation and NAIDOC week activities.

Support festivals and events that showcase Brimbank’s diversity, places, talents, cultures or unique offerings. These larger-scale festivals and events enhance Brimbank’s reputation as a great place to live, work, visit and play, and attract more than 5,000 people. A single event or a series of events will be considered.

Support for senior groups in Brimbank towards their day-to-day operating costs.

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Applications for Community Grants are usually accepted in June/July each year.

Community Strengthening; Climate Emergency; Mental Health and Wellbeing; Establishment and Young People's Ideas

For these grant categories, applications are scored on how well they outline and explain the following:   

• Community Benefit = 30%
• Community Need = 30%
• Capacity to Deliver = 25%
• Access and Inclusion = 10%
• Sustainability = 5%

Community and Major Festivals and Events

For these grant categories, applications are scored on how well they outline and explain the following:                     

• Community Benefit = 35%
• Community Need = 35%
• Capacity to Deliver = 30%
• Access and Inclusion = 10%

In the past, we have supported:

• Community-led arts and culture projects
• Digital training and upskilling initiatives
• Youth and family support programs
• Community festivals and local neighbourhood events
• Sporting activities such as fun runs and family days
• LGBTQIA+ inclusion and ally-ship workshops.

To see more, please view Brimbank Community Grants 2023-24 Successful Grants (PDF 797KB) 

As categories can vary from year to year, guidelines are also updated annually. Find the latest guidelines below:

• Brimbank Community Grants Program 2023-24 Guidelines (PDF 1.3MB)
• Seniors Operational Grants Program 2023-24 Guidelines (PDF 1.2MB)