Quick response grants

Support for new community groups including new Seniors Groups that are 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. 

Examples include: Incorporation and insurance costs; stationery, materials and equipment to support set –up, promotion and recruitment of new members and cost of regular meeting venues. 

Apply for an Establishment Grant 

Here's the guidelines link.

A new grant category, offering opportunities to address emerging community needs across the year. Limiting the amount of this grant category to a maximum of $2,000 each allows for a shorter assessment cycle, faster turnaround time for grant notifications and reduces Council’s financial risk. 

Examples include: neighbourhood activation projects, project to raise community awareness on specific issues such as gambling, homelessness, food security, community safety, etc. 

Apply for a Responsive Grant 

Here's the guidelines link.

To be eligible for the Quick Response Grants, applicants must: 

• be Incorporated group or not-for-profit organisation that is based in, or otherwise service, the Brimbank Local Government Area, or apply through an auspice arrangement 

• Establishment Grant applicants can be unincorporated at the time of application  

• have Public Liability Insurance cover for the duration of the project (Establishment Grant exempt)  

• have an Australian Business Number (ABN) (Establishment Grant exempt)  

• Project or activity to be based in Brimbank and benefit Brimbank residents 

• Must have satisfactorily acquitted previous grants with Brimbank City Council 

Choose the grant category which best fits your project, program or event. If you are starting a new organisation we recommend looking at Establishment Grant. If you are applying to address an urgent or emerging community need, we recommend looking at Responsive Grant. 

Please read the guidelines document (available in the above categories) before making an application.

It is strongly recommended you speak to a Council Contact Officer about your project before you put in a Quick Response Grant application. 

The staff on the Council Contact Officer List will be able to advise you on what to include in your application and assist with identifying potential partners. 

Subject Expert Contact Officers are available to help with grant applications in a range of areas including arts and culture, environment, festivals and events, health and wellbeing, sport and recreation, seniors development, youth services and more. 

Council officer contacts for Community Grants 2024-25 [Download]  

Before you apply, ensure that you have discussed your project idea with your group or organisation’s representatives. Make sure that leadership is aware and supportive of your project. As part of your application, you will need to formulate an Action Plan and Budget as well. 

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

Visit the Grants category section and select the category you wish to apply for. Once you are ready, click the 'Submit an Application' button to begin and save your progress every 10-15 minutes. 

Remember to clearly state: 

• What your project is 

• What you want to do 

• Why the project is needed 

• How you will deliver 

• How you will measure success 

Submit on time - late applications will not be accepted. 

Watch this video if you need extra guidance on using SmartyGrants to make an application. 

You must provide your financial details using a form called the Supplier Financial Details Form (WORD 79kb). You must complete this form and attach it with your grant application.  

If you apply under an auspice (refer to Guidelines for details) you must complete an Auspice Organisation Authorisation Form (DOCX 280KB)  at the time of grant application. 

If you are applying without an ABN, you must provide a Statement by Supplier form. 

Supporting documentation such as letters of support for your project. 

What is auspicing? 

Auspice organisations help small or new organisations who are not incorporated, or who do not 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 need to submit an Auspice Organisation Authorisation Form (DOCX 281KB) at the time of grant application. 

Applicants are encouraged to include a copy of their certificate of currency document with their application. If the application is successful, Council requires that all grant recipients provide evidence of public liability insurance in the form of a copy of the certificate of currency with adequate coverage level before payment is made. Including the documentation to the application reduces waiting periods for receiving payments. Organisations being auspiced may be covered by the auspice body’s public liability insurance, and so will need to provide a copy of their certificate of currency. 

Assessment Matrix 2024 [Download] 

For the following grant categories: Community Wellbeing and Strengthening, Climate Emergency and Youthtunities: Grants for Young People, 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% 

For the grant categories: Community Festivals and Events and Major Festivals and Events, 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%

Receiving a grant 

• Successful applicants will receive a funding agreement that sets out the terms on which Council is prepared to make the grant available. 

• Establishment Grant applicants will be required to attend Community Governance training. 

• If you accept the offer, sign the funding agreement and return to Council. 

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

At the end of your project implementation, an acquittal (project and financial) report must be submitted. 

Council will require the grant to be returned if: 

• You use the grant on unauthorised expenses/payments. 

• You are unable to provide proof of expenses/payments. 

• The grant wasn’t used as set out in the funding agreement. 

Updating your project 

If you need to change your proposed project or activity, you need to complete a Project Variation Request Form. 

A Project Variation is an amendment to your funding agreement that must be approved by Council in writing prior to 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 assist making your project a success: 

• Halls and meeting rooms for hire 

• Find out if your activities/events require a permit 

• List your community events for publicity on our website 

• Write a news article for publicity on our news website 

• Community Training Programs and support