Grants

If you would like to speak with someone from Council regarding your application please call 03 5018 8100

Each grant program has specific guidelines, criteria and eligibility requirements. These can be downloaded from the website.

As a minimum, applicants must:

• Be incorporated (or provide an auspiced organisation)
• Hold current Public Liability Insurance 

Applications must be submitted electronically via Council’s online grants portal (Smartygrants). To start an application please call (03) 5018 8100 and ask to speak to the relevant grants officer.

What is your project idea?

• What would you like to do?
• What objectives will you achieve?
• What will you call your project?

Why is your project so important to this community?

• How will the community benefit?
• Why should MRCC support this project?
• What will happen if you cannot fund this project?
• Demonstrate evidence of the community need for this – show us data

Who will be involved in your project?

• Identify your group and brainstorm your idea – identify ways you could collaborate
• Talk to a Grants representative at Council to ask if there is a similar project or groups with a similar idea
• Who will benefit? – Be specific
• Who will be responsible for delivering the project?

When will this happen?

• What are the critical dates in the timeline of this project?
  
  Where will this project occur?
• Could a venue be provided?

  How much will your project cost?

• Develop a budget
• Identify major costs
• Have a minimum of two quotes for purchases over $1,000
• Think about all costs – freight, admin, donations, etc.
• Your groups ability to contribute financially
• Who else can contribute financially?

Prepare your budget

Contact a Council Grants representative to discuss your project plan

• Once you have answered what/why/who/how/when/how much, you should have clear answers to put forward into your project plan. 

Once your application has been submitted, it will be assessed on the weighted criteria specific to the grant you are applying for.  This information can be found in the guidelines specific to the grant you are applying for.

All applications are reviewed and scored independently by a panel of three members.  All panel members are required to complete a conflict of interest declaration.  The scores are then collated with recommendations for approval at Council.

• Late applications will not be accepted
• Council approval (including necessary permits) must be gained for any projects being undertaken on Council owned or managed land.
• To receive grant funds, successful applicants must enter into a Funding Agreement with Council and adhere to all conditions outlined in the agreement.
• Written confirmation from the supplier for any in-kind contribution detailed in your application must be provided to Council upon request.

Any of the following will not be considered for funding:

• You could fully fund the project from other sources (e.g. user fees, fundraising, other funding bodies, business or other sponsorship).
• The service or project is the responsibility of another level of government or services abandoned by state or federal government (cost shifting).
• You receive funding for the project through another Council grant program.
• A clear statement of your organisation's financial position can't be provided on request.
• You wish to fund management or administrative support, contributions to salary costs or ongoing operational costs such as annual rent, power or labour costs not directly associated with your project.
• You wish to fund computer products for administration use that does not contribute directly to the grant program.
• You wish to fund the replacement of consumable items and/or equipment.
• The purpose of your project is of a political nature.
• You wish to fund assistance to an individual person.
• You are a commercial enterprise or Government entity (not applicable to Events).
• Your project intends to manufacture products that create a direct commercial return that do not demonstrate a broader community benefit.
• You want to fund general fundraising campaigns, activities and appeals.
• Your organisation supports or the intended purpose of your project promotes gambling or alcohol, drugs or tobacco use.
• You wish to fund travel, study or conferences (including feasibility studies).
• Your organisation has not satisfactorily acquitted a previous grant.
• Your project has commenced or will commence before the grant funding is announced (we do not fund in retrospect).
• You wish to fund the costs associated with preparing a grant application and/or the sourcing of quotes.

All applicants will be notified in writing of Council’s decision following the Council Meeting. Successful applicants will be presented with a certificate of acknowledgement, by a representative member of Council at a Presentation ceremony.

If you are unsuccessful you will be notified via a letter.  The letter will state the reasoning for being unsuccessful and we recommend you talk with the nominated officer to gain further feedback.

To receive grant funds, successful applicants must enter into a Funding Agreement with Council and adhere to all conditions outlined in the agreement.

The funding agreement will need to be signed by your organisation.  Council are currently using DocuSign, an electronic signing system for all agreement.  The agreement will be issued to the Authorised signee via email, the signee must then follow the link within the email to sign the agreement.  Once the agreement has been fully executed a copy will returned to you via email for your retention.

Each specific grant has its own funding amounts. To find out how much is available you will need to read the guidelines that are relevant to the grant.

The funds will be deposited into your organisations account once the funding agreement has been executed and an invoice has been received by Council.

If your organisation is successful you will be required to enter into an agreement with Council.  One of the requirements will be to show your expenditure to acquit the funds.  This acquittal will be due within 12 months or the date stipulated within your agreement.

You will be required to show evidence including all receipts associated with the grant funding received and upload into the SmartyGrants system.  You will receive notification when your acquittal has been successful.

If there are any variations in the project and the expenditure of funds, consent must be sought from Council for any modifications required that alter the original approval to the funds being spent. All requests will be considered and the applicant will be notified of Council’s decision. Approval must be received before alterations can proceed and Council reserves the right to cease funding.