Community grants

Applications closed for 2024/2025 financial year; applicants will be notified by late October 2024. Information about 2025/2026 round will be updated July 2025. 

One-off funding to assist not-for-profit community organisations with services, programs or projects that meets existing and emerging local community needs.

Supports services, programs and projects that contribute to one or more Council Health and Wellbeing key priorities and objectives:

• Build health and active communities
• Build a fair and inclusive community
• Increase mental wellbeing and resilience
• Strengthen climate action for community wellbeing
• Strengthen gender equality and respectful relationships
• Building safe communities

The following will be viewed favourably:

• Activities that addresses emerging local needs within Frankston City
• Activities that directly support vulnerable, marginalised, and/or disadvantaged residents
• Applicants who have not been funded through the Annual Grants Program for two consecutive years immediately prior to the current application

Please read the Annual Community Grants Guidelines(PDF, 421KB) for more information.

Apply now

Applications open 25 September 2024 until 18 October 2024 - $5,000 per recipient

Frankston City Council is proud to support local artists to create work that contributes to our vibrancy, culture and community. One-off funding is available to individual artists, creatives and artists practicing within a small arts organisation from all backgrounds and abilities. Artists can be at any stage of their career whether emerging, mid-career or established, to support the development of new creative work that results in a public outcome within the municipality by 30 June 2025.

Funding will be distributed to six (6) successful recipients, with one of the grants dedicated to realising a creative project for/and/or with culturally diverse artists (where possible/applicable). We also welcome applications that engage with these communities in a meaningful and significant way.   

Timeframes

Please read the Artist Project Grant Guidelines(PDF, 379KB) for more information.

Applications via the Smarty Grants Portal here: https://frankston.smartygrants.com.au/ArtsGrantsFY24_25  

Applications open 15 July 2024 – until funds are fully expended or 14 May 2025 - 2 funding categories - assessed on a monthly basis

The Child & Youth Inclusion (CAYI) Grant aims to support young people participating in: 

• formal education  
• recreational programs and activities

If approved, grants are paid directly to the provider for item or services on receipt of invoice; not the applicant, parent or guardian. Applicants must provide evidence of financial disadvantage (Health Care Card or other evidence). Assistance can be provided for more than one family member per financial year.

Funding supports the inclusion of the following Frankston residents who are experiencing financial disadvantage:

Category 1: Education & Pathway

For students transitioning to high school, currently in high school (or equivalent) or pursuing higher education (up to 24 years old) that require assistance with materials, equipment or course fees for their education or career aspirations, we offer funding of up to $600.

Category 2: Recreation

For children aged between 5 and 18 seeking to participate in a recreational activity, we can cover 75% of the associated fees or up to $200.00.

Timeframes

Applications are reviewed and assessed on a monthly basis.

Note that this grant will close regardless of the dates outlined below, once funds are exhausted or by May 14 2025.

* Council has the right to change the dates above as needed

Please read our Child & Youth Inclusion Grant Guidelines(PDF, 427KB) for more information

Apply now

Expression of Interest (Stage 1) for 2025-2028 closing date has been extended to 27 September 2024.

The Community Service Partnership (CSP) Grant offer triennial funding for selected not-for-profit community organisations that provide unique, specialised, continuous and significant service to the community where their activities align with Council priorities and meet community needs.

Organisations or groups applying must demonstrate their ability to meet the criteria and have met funding requirements for previous Council Grants.

Please read the Community Service Partnership Grant FP 2025-2028 Guidelines(PDF, 500KB) for more information

Apply Now

Applications closed for 2024/2025 financial year; applicants will be notified by early September 2024. Only available for 2024/2025 financial year.

Emergency Relief Fund offers a unique opportunity for emergency relief organisations to receive financial support to strengthen their governance frameworks, enhance their effectiveness and efficiency, and ensure they are better equipped to meet and respond to the needs of the community.

The following will be viewed favourably:

• Activities that build the capacity of the organisation outside of normal operational needs.

• Activities that involve collaboration with other organisations or stakeholders.

Please read the Emergency Relief Fund Guidelines(PDF, 408KB) for more information 

Apply Now

Applications open 3 February 2025 until 28 February 2025 - $1,000 per recipient.

The Environmental Sustainability Grant provides one-off funding to support community organisations in environmental and sustainability projects and landowners’ environmental works that support the strategic vision for Frankston City’s future.

The purpose of the Environmental Sustainability Grants is to support the growth and implementation of initiatives that improve our natural surroundings and foster sustainable practices across Frankston City.

The key objectives of this grant are to collaborate with local community organisations and landowners to:

• Support the Greening our Future 2014-2024 Strategy and Climate Change Strategy 2023-2030.
• Enhance wildlife corridors to improve biodiversity and contributing to ecosystem restoration.
• Support sustainable land management practices, with a focus on protecting and enhancing native vegetation.

Priorities:

• Community group environmental projects that have a community education and engagement component.
• Revegetation works on private land that contribute to mapped biodiversity corridors connecting native vegetation across the landscape.

This grant is divided into two categories:

Timeframes:

Please read the Environmental Sustainability Grant Guidelines - 2024-2025 Round 2(PDF, 733KB)  for more information

Apply Now

Applications open 1 July 2024 until 31 August 2024, up to $10,000

Funding assists eligible individuals, community groups or organisations who own or manage properties within the Heritage Overlay to maintain, repair, restore or enhance these places for future generations.

Please visit Local Heritage Preservation Grant Program for more information

Applications open 15 August 2024 until funds are fully expended or 14 May 2025 - up to $1,000 - Assessed on a monthly basis

Urgent Grant provides one-off funding to provide assistance to not-for-profit community groups to support the delivery of activities in response to unforeseen issues or unexpected opportunities.

We aim to:

• Empower community groups by supporting unforeseen community initiatives that require immediate assistance from Council.
• Aid organisations in launching new programs, projects or small events that cannot wait until the next round of Annual Community Grants.
• Address urgent or unforeseen needs outside of regular operational requirements.

This grant is not available for applicants who have received other Council funding for the same activity in the same financial year.

This grant opens July 15, 2024, with multiple rounds until funds are used up or until May 14, 2025 (whichever is sooner).

Timeframes

This grant opens 15 August 2024, with multiple rounds until funds are used up or until 14 May 2025 (whichever is sooner).

Note that this grant will close regardless of the dates outlined below, once funds are exhausted or by May 16 2024.

* Council has the right to change the dates as needed

Please read our Urgent Guidelines(PDF, 400KB) for more information.

Apply now

Annual Community Grants (information drop-in session)

• N/A

If you are unable to attend the sessions above and have a limited technical capacity, we also offer one-on-one support sessions for applicants who need assistance with the SmartyGrants system and application process. If you require support, please contact Community Grants & Networks team on 9784 1035 or communitygrants@frankston.vic.gov.au

If you need the assistance of an interpreter, please phone 13 14 50. 

If you are deaf, hard of hearing and/or have a speech impairment you can contact Council using the National Relay Service (NRS).

You can submit an application via the SmartyGrants portal.

SmartyGrants have a comprehensive help guide for applicants on their website which takes you through the application process step-by-step. Download it as a PDF or work your way through it online.

If you have not used SmartyGrants before, you will need to create an account. To register:

1. Visit the Community Grants page and activate the "Apply" button.
2. You will go to another page where you can either Log in or Start a Submission. Both options will take you to another page.
3. You can then register by activating the "Register" button.

This will depend on the proposed project or program. Please read the grant guidelines for each of the grants carefully.

You can contact the SmartyGrants support team on 03 9320 6888 and quote your application ID.

No. Council is committed to reducing its impact on the environment and is therefore discouraging the use of paper applications. 

If you need assistance with your online application, we offer a range of in-person sessions for those who may not have technical skills to apply online. If you are unable to attend the sessions above and require help, please call Cristina Collins on 03 9784 1035 / 0488 599 717 or email communitygrants@frankston.vic.gov.au.

This will depend on the proposed project or program. Please read the grant guidelines for each of the grants carefully.

In general, a community group or organisation is eligible to apply for the Annual Community Grant if it is not-for-profit. It must also be either incorporation or enacted under legislation provisions for charitable purposes.

Not-for-profit organisations provides services or undertake activities for the community’s benefit and does not operate to make a profit from its members or clients.

An incorporated group is a not-for-profit community group or club that operates as a separate legal entity. As an incorporation, groups have the ability to enter into a number of legal agreements such as:

• the purchase or lease of assets or property
• opening bank accounts
• applying for Public Liability Insurance
• signing contracts
• applying for grants.

As separate entities, incorporations are more likely to be recognised by funding bodies, government organisations and businesses and as such have a greater probability of entering into business agreements and contracts.

Yes, community groups that are not incorporated can enter into an auspice agreement with an incorporated not-for-profit organisation (evidence required).

An Auspicing Agreement is a legal contract where the auspicing body (the incorporation) takes on the legal and financial responsibilities of the individual or community, without carrying out any of the duties of the project. Through an auspicing agreement both parties agree to work together to meet the terms and conditions outlined by the grant provider. The auspicing body acts on the applicant’s behalf to manage and disperse grant funds, sign agreements with grant providers and provide insurance cover. The applicant is responsible for carrying out the activity for which funding is provided, and ensuring they work within the parameters of the funding agreement, however overall accountability falls to the auspicing body.

Organisations in auspice arrangement are not permitted to apply for the Community Service Partnership Grant.

Council wants to ensure that all projects are run safely and that community groups are protected from potential compensation claims if something goes wrong. Your group has a legal responsibility to provide a safe environment for participants and the general public in any activity, event or service.

Public Liability Insurance financially protects your group against claims of third party property damage or injury. Should your group be found negligent or responsible for damages claimed, you are obliged to cover any costs incurred and additional legal fees. Without Public Liability Insurance, this can potentially reach hundreds of thousands of dollars. For this reason, Council will not release funds to any group that does not have Public Liability Insurance. If your group is auspiced, make sure you are covered by your auspicing body’s insurance policy.

Most insurance companies and brokers offer Public Liability Insurance. Details on where to find the best insurance coverage for your community group is available online. Either visit individual insurance providers, or type ‘Public Liability Insurance for Incorporations/Community Groups’ in your search engine.

Funding is allocated on the premise of one application, per organisation, per financial year. However, an organisation may be the successful recipient of a community grant and also be eligible to submit a separate application to the Environmental Sustainability Grants Program for an environmental project for example.

Guidelines and assessment criteria for each funding category must be adhered to. If you are representing more than one group or project, SmartyGrants gives you the ability to submit numerous applications from the same login account.

No.

Council has a responsibility to ensure all funding is awarded to legitimate projects and community groups. Submitting an Annual Report and Financial Statement in your application validates the legal entity of the incorporated applicant or the applicant’s auspicing body.

If the Financial Report is included in the Annual Report, the Annual Report can be attached twice in the application.

If the Financial Report is a separate document, separate reports will need to be attached to the application.

As a funding provider, Council needs to ascertain what impact your project has within the community and how the community will benefit from it. Determining who benefits directly and indirectly is dependent on the nature of your project.

Direct numbers refer to those who will directly benefit from your project. They can be your Committee of Management; your volunteers; the participants you have designed your project for.

Indirect numbers refer to the people who will still benefit from your project but have no direct involvement in it. This group can include the participants as well as the wider community e.g. families of participants; other community groups; and, or local businesses. Indirect numbers are much harder to quantify.

Here’s an example: The Community Strengthening sports club has five committee members, 10 volunteers, 30 members and six coaches. They have applied for a grant to buy a new computer to improve their administrative process as well as for marketing and communication. The direct beneficiaries would be the five committee members since they would be directly using the computer. The indirect beneficiaries would be the volunteers, members, coaches and the wider community which could be approximately 200 plus Frankston residents as they would be also benefitting from the improved administrative service and communication from the club.

An in-kind contribution is where a contribution is made to a project or activity without money being exchanged. This includes:

• voluntary labour
• donations of furniture or materials
• donations of services.

As a general rule, in-kind contributions can be calculated by comparing the service or item donated, to the amount that would have been charged otherwise. Calculating the cost of volunteer labour is based on a nominated figure multiplied by the hours of labour per person.

Being aware of how funds are being spent and making sure the project is on course enables you to account for the funds Council has allocated and report back on the progress of your project or program. It also shows Council that the funds are being used for the purposes outlined in the application.

Applicants need to demonstrate that any risks associated with the project/program have been identified. This provides Council with information relating to your project's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

By undertaking a risk assessment early in the project/program planning phase, you are ensuring its success. Listing steps on how you will handle potential risks provides funding bodies with the knowledge and comfort that identified problems can be effectively managed when and if they do arise.

Here’s an example: The Community Strengthening sports club is hosting a social event for its members. It has identified Accidents or injury of participants as a potential risk. Ways to minimise this risk include ensuring:

• the club has appropriate and current Public Liability Insurance
• the venue is accessible for all members
• it’s a non-alcoholic event.