Grants

Our 2021 Community Grants Program (Round 1) is now CLOSED. The next round will open from 19 July - 9 August 2021.

Our Community Grants provide support to new, innovative and emerging local community development projects and initiatives that align with Council’s strategic objectives.

The Program is made up of two funding streams: Small Grants up to $3,000 and Partnership Grants up to $10,000. See the guidelines below for further information.

Community Grants Program Guidelines - PDF
Community Grants Program Guidelines - Word
- Frequently asked questions - Community Grants Program
- Risk assessment template
- Auspice agreement
- Acknowledgement Guidelines for Recipients

For more information about our Community Grants Program contact a member of the Community Partnerships Team on 03 5471 1700 or email grants@mountalexander.vic.gov.au.

Register for our mailing list to receive email updates about Council's grant programs.

List of projects funded

Below are some of the projects Council has proudly supported through the Community Grants Program:

Most recent round:
Community Grants 2020 Round 2 - list of funded projects

Previous rounds:
- 2020 (Round 1)
- 2019 (Round 2)
- 2019 (Round 1)
- 2017/2018

Project Acquittal/Project Completion Reports

Successful applicants from previous funding rounds must complete an acquittal for their project online via SmartyGrants.

1. Go to: https://mountalexander.smartygrants.com.au/, and log in with the username and password you used to submit the application.
2. Click on “My submissions”.
3. Click on “Project Completion Report” directly under the submitted application to complete the report.

If you did not submit your application online, please contact grants@mountalexander.vic.gov.au.

The short-term, COVID response Get Lost Activation Grants 2021 will open Monday 25 January and close Monday 15 February. For more information see Supporting our Arts.

Round 2 of our revised Events Grants Program is now CLOSED. The next round will open in July 2021.

Mount Alexander Shire Council allocates funds each year to support events in the local community that align with the goals in our Council Plan 2017-2021 and other strategic directions.
The Events Grants program provides a transparent and equitable process for local groups and organisations to seek funding and in-kind support from Council.
The Events Grant program aims to provide support to events that:
• Foster community, economic and/or cultural development in Mount Alexander Shire
• Consider impacts on the environment and surrounding community
• Are accessible, inclusive and welcoming of everyone
• Are safe and compliant.

Round 2 2020/2021
Council is pleased to announce 26 key events will receive funding through the latest round of its events grants program ran in February 2021.

The events cover a range of interests including music, health, sport, family, art and historical heritage.

Congratulations to the following events:
- Castlemaine Billy Cart Challenge
- Castlemaine & District Festival of Gardens 2021 - Gardens Embracing Change
- Castlemaine Circus Festival
- Castlemaine Artists Market
- Run the Maine
- Castlemaine Jazz Festival 2021
- The 33rd Annual Rotary Art Show
- Autopia Castlemaine
- Mount Tarrengower Historic Hill Club
- Annual commemoration of 1851 Monster Meeting of Diggers
- Guildford Banjo Jamboree
- Maldon Photography Competition 2021
- Backyard Fest
- The Peter Turner Memorial Show and Shine
- Transport from Major Mitchell to present days
- Storytelling at the Gallery
- Harcourt Valley Easter Festival
- Newstead Live Winter Concert
- Castlemaine Festival of Winemaking, Brewing and Distilling
- The Maldon Classic
- Metcalfe Vintage Tractor Pull and Woodchop
- Barkers Creek Cricket Club History and honouring World War 1 servicemen
- Maldon Easter Fair
- Mount Alexander Vintage Engine Club Tractor Pull
- BMW Motorcycle Club of Victoria rally
- Maldon Annual Vintage Rally

Previous rounds
- 2020-2021 Round 1
- 2019-2020 Round 2
- 2019-2020 Round 1

We have updated the amount available for the year-round quick response grants to $500 to support more events and running the program at a different time of year to the community grants. Events running from September 2020 to 30 June 2021 are eligible to apply.

Submit your application online.

View the Events Grants Guidelines here.
View the 2019/2020 event grant recipients here.

If you have any questions please contact the Venues and Events team on 5471 1700 or email us at events@mountalexander.vic.gov.au
Project Acquittal/Project Completion Reports
Successful applicants from previous funding rounds must complete an acquittal for their project online via SmartyGrants.
1. Go to the SmartyGrants Website, and log in with the username and password you used to submit the application.
2. Click on “My submissions”.
3. Click on “Project Completion Report” directly under the submitted application to complete the report.

Council’s Quick Response Youth Grants provide grants of up to $1000 for local young people to run their own youth focused activities and projects.

Young people (aged 10 to 25 years of age) can apply for a Quick Response Youth Grant at any time of year.

For more information, see the Quick Response Youth Grants 2018/2019 guidelines and application form.

For support in developing your ideas and submitting your application contact Council's Youth Development Officer, on 5471 1700 or email youth@mountalexander.vic.gov.au.

Below are some of the projects Council has proudly supported through the Quick Response Youth Grant Program:

Quick Response Youth Grants

Mount Alexander Shire Council, in collaboration with GrantGuru, have developed a free online search tool to assist businesses, not-for-profits and individuals in the Mount Alexander Shire to find grant opportunities.

Grant Connect Mount Alexander is a comprehensive platform that includes all local, state and national funding opportunities available from across a range of sectors, as well as other useful information and tips on grant writing. To start searching for grants visit Grant Connect Mount Alexander.

Coronavirus funding support
Grant Connect has a new addition to support local businesses and community groups to access funding opportunities during coronavirus. All coronavirus funding opportunities are listed via the Quick Lists: Coronavirus Funding tab. The Quick List tab can be found on the Grants Connect front page.

If you require any assistance in navigating Grant Connect Mount Alexander or have any questions please contact the Grants team on 5471 1700 or email grants@mountalexander.vic.gov.au.

Our Community provides advice, resources and training for community groups on applying for grants. More information is available on the Our Community website at www.ourcommunity.com.au.