Community Funding Scheme

Guidelines 2026-2027

• Community Funding Scheme guidelines(PDF, 3MB)

Hard copies can be provided upon request or collected from one of Council's offices.

Child Safe Standards 

• Short guide to the Child Safe Standards(PDF, 6MB)
• Child Safe Standards Direct Contact Checklist(DOCX, 64KB)
• Child Safe Statement of Commitment(DOCX, 61KB)

Planning

• Checklist for submitting an application(DOCX, 54KB)
• Making Your Project More Inclusive Checklist(DOCX, 53KB)
• Sample Project Plan - Category 1 and 3(DOCX, 20KB)
• Sample Project Plan - Category 2(DOCX, 19KB)
• Sample Project Budget - Category 1 and 3(DOCX, 20KB)
• Sample Project Budget - Category 2(DOCX, 19KB)

Further information on Universal Design(PDF, 122KB).

Smarty Grants

• SmartyGrants Help Guide for applicants(PDF, 5MB)
• Smarty File Information

Assessment

• Scoring Matrix - Category 1(DOCX, 60KB)
• Scoring Matrix - Category 2(DOCX, 59KB)
• Scoring Matrix - Category 3(DOCX, 59KB)

1. Make sure you have reviewed the current Community Funding Scheme Guidelines in the section above.
2. Contact Council's Community Projects Officer to discuss your project idea. Call (03) 5422 0216 or email grants@mrsc.vic.gov.au
3. If this is your first time using Smarty Grants, you will be prompted to register before beginning your application.
4. Once your application is complete, you will receive an automated email acknowledging successful submission.

Assistance is available on request.

All applications must be completed using the SmartyGrants platform. If you would like assistance, call us on (03) 5422 0216 or email grants@mrsc.vic.gov.au

Apply now

We understand that sometimes things don't go as planned.

Call us on (03) 5422 0216 or email grants@mrsc.vic.gov.au if:

• your contact details change or the key contact for the project changes
• you are unable to continue with the project
• you need to make a variation or seek an extension to the project as planned in your application. You will need to complete a variation/extension request form and this will need to be approved by Council before any changes are undertaken.

Once you have delivered your project, you will need to complete a Project Acquittal Report. 

You can access the form by logging in here and then clicking the 'My Submissions' link at the top of page. Here you will see your submission number and any associated forms open and waiting for you to complete.

Note: The 'My Submissions' area will store a history of all the submissions and additional forms you complete.

The report includes:

• a summary of the benefits, challenges and learnings of the project
• a summary of the grant expenditure and any remaining grant funds (if applicable)
• promotional and marketing activities undertaken, including examples of the recognition of Council's financial support
• photo evidence of the project
• any media coverage.

Note: If you have been auspiced for the purposes of your grant, the acquittal report will need to be signed off by the Treasurer of the Auspice and the Treasurer of the Applicant Organisation.

Acquit Now