Community grants
Are you part of a community group making a real difference in the southern Macedon Ranges? In autumn and spring each year, we invite grant applications from local not-for-profit organisations with creative ideas that align with our impact pillars.
If your project has the potential to strengthen community connection, wellbeing or resilience, we encourage you to apply for funding in our next Community Investment round.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for funding, your community group must:
Be a not-for-profit community group or organisation with an ABN (or be auspiced by one);
Be based in postcode 3437, 3431, 3438, 3440, 3441 and/or 3442; and
Actively bank with Community Bank Gisborne & District*
*Exemptions may apply for schools, large community support organisations and government organisations.Groups that are not based locally may be eligible if they:
actively bank with us; and
provide a unique benefit to residents in the southern Macedon Ranges
| Program round | Applications accepted | Results announced | Funds available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn | Mar | May | From 1 Jun |
| Spring | Sep | Nov | From 1 Dec |
Funding round schedule
We encourage you to apply in a funding round well before your event or project starts. Funds will only be available after formal announcement has been made and a partnership meeting has taken place.
In special cases, grant applications may be considered outside of our autumn and spring funding rounds. If you have a project that you’d like considered out of round, please email community@mrce.com.au
Assessment criteria
Grant applications are assessed on a range of criteria, with priority given to applications that demonstrate:
Strong community benefit – community-driven initiative that addresses an identified need and aligns with one or more of our impact pillars
A clear capacity to deliver – realistic, achievable, well-planned initiative with a sound budget, necessary permits and the potential for long-term sustainability.
Step-by-step application process
Review the eligibility criteria above.
Develop your project proposal or submission, including your project budget and project partner details (if applicable).
Ensure you have all of the requested supporting documentation - including, where appropriate, quotes, financials, letters of support and evidence of other funding.
Complete and submit your online application, including any supporting documentation.
You will be notified by email whether your application was successful, unsuccessful or requires more information.
Successful applicants will be required to sign an Agreement, which will be emailed to you.
Funds will be paid on submission of a Tax Invoice and banking details.
Please download this very helpful Grant Application Checklist.
Project acquittal
Once the project is completed, and by no later than 12 months of your project end date, you must submit an acquittal report and impact story. This should include:
How funds were spent
Benefits delivered
Participant or recipient information
Project achievements
Lessons learned
To be eligible for future funding, you must acquit your project. We also ask that, throughout your project, you acknowledge Community Bank Gisborne & District in accordance with our Partnership Matrix.
Questions
We understand that applying for funding can be challenging for volunteers. Please contact Liz O'Connell on mrce@community.com.au with any questions and she’ll be in touch to help you.
