Community Grants Program
Capital Works Partnership Grants Guidelines
Annual Funding up to $40,000
Introduction
Moreland City Council supports community groups and organisations to carry out programs,
projects and activities that will benefit local residents. Community grants are provided as one
of the many ways Council is able to support initiatives developed by the local community,
which add to the overall quality of life of Moreland residents.
The objectives of the Moreland Community Grants Program are to:
 Provide equitable opportunity for the community to seek funding assistance from
Council
 Address demonstrated needs within the community
 Encourage the development and enhancement of innovative and quality activities,
services and programs within Moreland City Council,
 Improve access and increase community participation levels
 Promote a sense of community across the municipality
 Encourage the development of local led and delivered projects and activities.
 To support Council to meet its objectives as outlined within Council plans and
strategies
Grants will be assessed on their overall benefit to the community, their contribution to the
strategic objectives outlined in the Council Plan and the supporting strategies outlined within
the plan. Further detail can be obtained by viewing the Council plan on the Moreland website
(About Council, Publications section) www.moreland.vic.gov.au
Capital Works Partnership Grants (up to $40,000)
Funding is provided for capital projects that improve or develop program and meeting
space, disability access, change facilities for junior or female use, sports surfaces, universal
design principles and improved environmental sustainability initiatives. Projects must
promote greater community access; encourage interaction of all age groups including jointuse facilities for the broader community benefit.
Projects must be fully costed and include detailed plans, costing and timelines with
evidence of capacity to deliver the project.
The applicant must demonstrate collaboration between groups that will result in greater use
of facilities by community groups. Projects which are completed on non-Council land will
need to demonstrate a commitment and means to ensuring ongoing community access.
Applicants are required to contribute at least 25% of the total project cost through cash and
in-kind contributions. Applications must be submitted during large grant opening times each
year.
Eligibility Requirements
To apply for funds through any one of the categories of the grants program, organisations
must:
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Be not-for-profit and managed by a volunteer board/committee of management
Be incorporated
Have adequate public liability insurance
Have no outstanding grant acquittals or outstanding debts owing to Council
Propose an initiative which will benefit the Moreland Community
Be able to supply financial statements and information as requested
Be able to meet conditions associated with receiving the grant
Demonstrate the proposed activity is consistent with Local, State and Federal laws
including Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 1995
What you must do before applying:
 If your application affects land or buildings owned or controlled by Council you must
first submit a proposal in writing to Council’s Buildings Services for approval.
 Seek land owner approval.
 Fully cost the project and seek detailed plans, permits and timelines.
 Ensure the project can be completed within 12 months.
 Ensure you can provide evidence of Not-for-profit status with open membership
 Have access to a copy of your audited financial statements.
 Be able to demonstrate collaboration between groups that will result in greater use of
facilities by community groups.
 Seek assistance of an appropriately qualified and experienced project manager and
use of appropriate tradespeople, i.e. Applications must clearly demonstrate the
capacity to deliver the project
 Take before photographs for reporting purposes
Funding Priorities
The Moreland Community Grants Program will prioritise support where:
 The applicants proposed activity focuses and directly benefits the Moreland community
and occur within the council boundaries;
 The applicant is providing a proposed activity that aligns with Council’s corporate
objectives, priorities and strategies set out in the Council Plan;
 The applicant has limited financial means to access other sources of funding;
 The applicant has sought funding/in-kind support from other sources, where the
applicant is deemed to be in a position to do so; with the exception of seniors groups.
 The proposed activity maximises community benefit i.e. that can demonstrate multiple
benefits, which may include cultural, environmental, heritage, health and wellbeing,
social support and community participation outcomes.
 The applicant is not already in receipt of substantial funding/in-kind support from
Council. i.e. free venue hire, transport. With the exception of seniors groups.
 The applicant can demonstrate the proposed activity is consistent with Local, State and
Federal laws including Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 1995;
 The applicant can demonstrate the proposed activity address the needs of residents
with limited access to programs, services and activities;
 The proposed activity incorporates collaboration/partnering with other groups
 The applicant clearly demonstrates their capacity to deliver the project
 Low priority will be given to large organisations that have significant sources of income
or receive funding from other government or charitable organisations and have the
financial capacity to fund projects;
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The applicant must demonstrate that the organisation is sustainable and not dependent
on continued Council financial support beyond the period of the grant.
Council may stipulate other priorities as part of the funding agreement.
What can’t you apply for:
The following will not be considered for funding:
 Projects or activities that are considered to be core services of State or Federal
Government
 Initiatives that do not focus or directly benefit the Moreland community
 Initiatives that are singular, insular or of self-interest to the applicant or that promote the
business or profit interest of the applicant
 More than one project by an applicant under the any one category in a financial year
 Requests for retrospective funding, where projects have commenced or are completed
prior to submitting an application or receiving funding approval
 Projects that are not ready to proceed
 Applications submitted after the closing date
 Requests for operational costs such as salaries, rent, utilities payments, office furniture,
general furnishings, facilities maintenance and insurance
 Applicants seeking funds to cover venue hire, catering costs or other expenses for
regular meetings, social functions or other activities that are the routine function of the
group.
 Purchases of equipment that are associated with the routine function of the group
 Costs associated with the purchase or maintenance of vehicles of any kind
 Funding for fees associated with hire of a council facility or a council service, or rental
of a facility where applicant has sole occupancy, i.e. Town Halls, Counihan Gallery,
community centres and meeting rooms
 Applications from schools for curriculum based activities or where the activity outcome
is confined to the school
 Permanent public art installations
 Core programs or services that are funded by Council
 Proposals which fail to provide information requested in the Moreland Community
Grants Program
 Applications who fail to meet eligibility requirements and/or cannot provide public
liability insurance policy that provides appropriate coverage for the proposed activities
 Applications seeking funding to cover outstanding loans or debts
 Any applicant in arrears in debt repayment to Council
 Applications where the recipient organisation/s promote and/or benefit directly from
electronic gaming machines
 Organisations that have failed to complete any previous projects funded by Moreland
City Council and/or have not submitted acquittal documentation in full
 General Fundraising and fundraising events, competitions, trophies, prizes or awards.
 Festivals
 Applications from community organisations currently receiving operational funding, for
funding in any other grant category.
Assessment Criteria
Council is committed to ensuring that the assessment of all grant applications is completed in
a fair and transparent manner. Once deemed eligible Project Grants will be assessed against
the criteria set out below:
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Community Outcomes
 Increases access and participation opportunities for Moreland residents
 Helps build skills in the Moreland community
 Collaborates with other Moreland community organisations
 Encourages diversity of activities and opportunities available to the Moreland
community
 Addresses a genuine and demonstrated community need and supports Moreland’s
disadvantaged communities.
Demonstrates a capacity to deliver
 States clear aims and objectives for the project
 Shows evidence of planning e.g. Resources, safety and risk, design etc
 Demonstrates innovative or new initiatives resulting in increased
participation/programming outcomes in line with the Council Plan and strategies
 Demonstrates capacity to deliver on the project and meet conditions of funding
 Seeks, were possible, other sources of financial/in-kind contribution
 Level of Council support already provided to the applicant
Steps on how to apply
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Download the application form and guidelines relevant to the category that is relevant
to your proposal
 Discuss your proposal with a Council Officer on 9240 1111 or from the list below before
you submit an application.
 Seek quotes for all expenses for your proposal
 Seek letters of support and establish partnerships and links with other groups
 Read the guidelines on the grant you wish to apply for before completing your
application, and
 Fill in an application form
 You must provide all supporting documentation as outlined in the checklist.
 Submit an application form by the due date.
 Take before photographs for reporting purposes
 Be able to provide a copy of a financial statement for the most recent 12 month period
If your application is Successful
1. You will receive a letter and funding agreement/s that must be signed and returned to
Council.
2. Payment can only be made once you return your funding agreement to accept the
terms of the funding.
3. Make sure you adhere to any special conditions that is outlined on your funding
agreement or letter.
4. Do what you said you would do in accordance with your application.
5. Tell Council in advance if your funded activity or project is predicted to be difference
from your application any way.
6. Acknowledge Councils support by use of the Community Grants Logo.
7. Take photos and relevant notes during your project.
8. Finally, Evaluate and acquit the project and tell Council how the project went, the good
and bad.
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Reporting or acquittal requirements
One written and financial report required at the end of the funding period or as specified in the
term of the funding agreement
 All copies of receipts for payments to service providers.
 All copies of publications in relation to the funded activity the clearly identifies Councils
contribution by using the Community Grant Logo.
 Provide photographs of the activity if necessary before and after the event or project.
 Council may request additional reporting requirements to satisfy an identified benefit
or outcome.
 Capital Works Partnership Grants must supply copies of all Certificates of Completion
as part of the acquittal.
Submitting Applications
Applications will not be assessed unless they are formally registered by Council’s Records
Department. To ensure this happens applications will only be assessed if submitted as
follows;
Mail to:
Moreland Community Grants Program
Moreland City Council
Locked Bag 10
COBURG VIC 3058
In person:
Moreland City Council Civic Centre
Grants Officer
90 Bell Street
COBURG VIC 3058
Under no circumstances will late applications be accepted.
If mailing, be sure to allow adequate time for postage. The application must be at the
Council offices by the due date. No exceptions.
Who at council can you call for help
You must speak to a Council officer prior to submitting you application. Contact officers
will be able to assist with developing your ideas, guidance on how your application aligns
with the Council Plan and supporting strategies.
Focus Area
Officer Name
Telephone
Email
Children Services
Anne McGregor
03 9240 2337
amcgregor@moreland.vic.gov.au
Community
Development Programs
Paula Jorgensen
03 9240 1250
pjorgensen@moreland.vic.gov.au
Community
Strengthening
Anne Gedye
03 9240 2367
agedye@moreland.vic.gov.au
Environmental
Sustainability
Louise Lovell
03 9240 1188
llovell@moreland.vic.gov.au
Health and Wellbeing
Lynn Waters
03 9240 1224
lwaters@moreland.vic.gov.au
Disability
Carolyn Hughes
03 9240 2469
chughes@moreland.vic.gov.au
Open Space Design and
Development
Clare Johnston
03 8311 4372
cjohnston@moreland.vic.gov.au
Open Space
Alli Coster
03 8311 4371
acoster@moreland.vic.gov.au
Recreation and club
development
Sedat Sir
03 9240 2266
ssir@moreland.vic.gov.au
General Enquiries
Holly Duckworth
Joe Luppino
03 9240 2301
03 9240 2261
grants@moreland.vic.gov.au
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