Community Funding Scheme

Guidelines 2023

• Community Funding Scheme guidelines(PDF, 1MB)
• Community Funding Scheme guidelines(DOCX, 653KB)

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

Eligibility 

• 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, 20KB)
• SmartyGrants Helpguide for applicants(PDF, 5MB)
• 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.

Assessment

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

Before you begin your application

1. Make sure you have reviewed the current Community Funding Scheme guidelines.
2. Contact Council's Grants team or one of the Contact Officer's listed at the back of the guidelines to discuss your project.

Ready to submit your application?

Go to the SmartyGrants platform and select 'Start a submission'. If you haven't used the platform before you will be prompted to register.

Assistance is available on request

All applications must be completed using the SmartyGrants platform (a user friendly online application that will make applying for grants a lot easier). If you would like assistance to complete the online application, call us on (03) 5422 0216 or email grants@mrsc.vic.gov.au.  A staff member will be assigned to provide you with assistance to complete the online form.

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. This is available via the SmartyGrants platform, a link to access this form can be found here. The report includes:

• a summary of the benefits, challenges and learnings of the project; and
• 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 and any media coverage.

Please 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. If you have any questions regarding this, contact the Grants team.

• Printable list of 2022/23 Community Funding Scheme grant recipients (includes Festivals and Events Grants Program)(PDF, 716KB)
• View a photo gallery of some of the recipients at the grant program presentation held at the opening of the Macedon & Mount Macedon Community House in late 2022.