Surf Coast Shire Council’s Community Initiative Grants fund clever and creative projects that help our community and environment to thrive.

Council values the knowledge, skills and motivation people have to take action on ideas that contribute to a thriving Surf Coast Shire community and environment.

The Community Initiatives Grants: March and September rounds contribute funds towards community-led projects that bring people together to collaborate, up-skill, share resources and put ideas into action.

Funds available

Grants of up to $5,000 are available in each round of this program. Applicants must contribute a minimum of 30% (cash or in-kind) towards the total project cost.

Who can apply?

• New or existing groups that operate in or contribute to the Surf Coast Shire community. 
• Incorporated not-for profit groups, or unincorporated groups who apply through an appropriate not-for-profit incorporated body that supports the application and is willing to accept responsibility for the funding (i.e. auspice agreement). Examples include groups with interests in the environment, sports, social connection, community safety, business networking, history and others. 
• Charitable organisations. 
• Groups that operate as part of a larger governing body, where this grant is outside the scope of what is funded by the governing body, e.g. Churches, Cemetery Trusts, SES, CFA. 
• Not-for-profit community groups and sporting clubs that lease Council owned buildings within the Surf Coast Shire. 
• Schools and kindergartens, if the activity is not part of the standard curriculum/learning framework.
• Individuals under an auspice agreement.

Who cannot apply?

• Individuals who are not applying on behalf of an eligible group. 
• Groups that don’t meet the eligibility requirements specified in these Guidelines. 
• Groups that have received Surf Coast Shire Council funding for the same project within the same financial year (unless it is a new stage of that project). 
• Groups that have an overdue Acquittal Report for previous funding received from Council. 
• Committees of Surf Coast Shire Council, including Advisory Committees, Committees of Management or Sub Committees. 
• Individual businesses. 
• Elected members and employees of Council must not be involved in the development of an application and are not eligible to sign or be listed on any grant.

• Phone: 5261 0666
• Email: thannan@surfcoast.vic.gov.au