Small Grants

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be a not-for-profit organisation or incorporated community group. Unincorporated eligible individuals, groups and organisations can apply through an auspice arrangement
• Have Public Liability Insurance cover for the duration of the project or activity
• Have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• Make sure projects or activities are delivered within Brimbank and show a clear benefit to Brimbank residents. In limited cases, parts of a project may take place outside Brimbank where there is a clear and direct benefit to our residents.
• Be compliant with acquittal obligations for other grants funded under the Brimbank Community Grants Program
• Plan to deliver and complete the funded project or activity within the agreed period.
   

Please read the guidelines document before making an application.

Small Grants Guidelines 2026-2027 (PDF 7.8MB)

You will find more information about:

• What we can fund
• What we won’t fund
• Assessment criteria

We encourage you to speak with a Subject Matter Expert Contact Officer before applying.

They can help refine your ideas, provide data and statistics to support your application and connect you with other organisations or groups that could support your project or activity.

Download the list (PDF 108 KB)

Before you apply, make sure that you have discussed your project idea with your group or organisation’s representatives. Make sure your group or organisation's committee is aware and supportive of your project. As part of your application, you will also need an Action Plan and a Budget. 

Watch this video if you want to turn your idea into a fundable project.

Make an application through the SmartyGrants online form.

Click the 'Submit an Application' button to begin your application. Save your progress every 10-15 minutes. 

Please make sure you submit on time. Late applications won't be accepted.

Make sure your application includes all the required and supporting documents before you submit.

• Public Liability Insurance - Certificate of Currency (provide your existing PLI)
• Auspice authorisation form (if you are using an auspice)
• Statement by Supplier (if you do not have an ABN)
• Supplier’s financial details form (DOCX 84KB)
• Support letters, quotes, booking confirmations, and other documents that support your application

We assess eligible applications using the criteria and considerations below.

Auspice organisations help individuals or small organisations that aren't incorporated or don't have an ABN to access grant funds. An auspice organisation must be a not-for-profit organisation, have an ABN and Public Liability Insurance.

They accept legal and financial responsibility for the grant if successful. Applications can be submitted directly by groups being auspiced. However, the funding agreement for successful grants will be made between the auspice organisation and Council. The grant money will be paid directly to the auspice organisation. 

All applications through auspice organisations must submit an Auspice Organisation Authorisation Form (DOCX 281KB) at the time of grant application. 

Applicants are asked to include a copy of their current Public Liability Insurance policy document with their application. 

All successful grant recipients must provide evidence of Public Liability Insurance (copy of the certificate of currency) that covers the duration of the project or activity with an adequate level of coverage before payment is made. 

Organisations being auspiced may be covered by the auspice body’s Public Liability Insurance and will need to provide a copy of their certificate of currency.

Receiving a grant

• We'll inform you of the outcome via email

• You will enter into a contractual funding agreement with Council. This will formalise you as a grant recipient and outline the terms and conditions that apply to the use of approved grant funding

• To accept the offer, you need to sign the funding agreement and return it to Council. Your grant funding will not be paid until the contractual funding agreement is in place

• Grant funding is paid by EFT (Electronic Fund Transfer)

• Funds must be used under the contractual funding agreements, only for the purposes stated in the grant application and approved by Council

• At the end of your project, complete an acquittal form that shows how you used the grant money. Receipts and proof of payment must show expenditure under the approved budget. Proof of payment can be in the form of receipts, a copy of a bank transfer or tax invoice with a $0 balance owing. 

Council will require the grant to be returned if:

• You don't provide proof of expenses/payments

• You have unused funds

• There has been misuse or unauthorised use of grant funds, as determined by Council and in line with the Community Grants Policy. Council reserves the right to request financial statements, receipts or progress reports to ensure funds are used appropriately

Updating your project

If you need to change your proposed project or activity, you may need to fill out a Project Variation Form. A Project Variation is an amendment to your funding agreement that must be approved by Council in writing before making any changes.  

To discuss any variation and obtain a Project Variation Form, please email CommunityGrants@brimbank.vic.gov.au. 

Running your project 

Some useful links to help make your project a success:

• Halls and meeting rooms for hire 

• List your community events for publicity on our website 

• Community Training Programs and support

• Connect with a Subject Matter Expert Officer at Council for advice or promotion