Community Grants support projects that strengthen local communities and deliver social, environmental and economic benefits across the Colac Otway Shire.

Funding is available for community groups delivering projects, activities, services, equipment purchases and new initiatives.

Projects may relate to:

To be eligible to apply, you must be one of the following:

• A. Community Group Voluntary or Community groups are defined as organisations working for public benefit with these characteristics:
  • Organised: Has a structure with rules about how the group is organised and run. This is a governing document or constitution. 
  • Self-governing: Independent and appoints its own management committee.
  • Not-for-profit: No individual profits. For example, committee members should not be paid for their work; Any surplus is reinvested in the group.
  • Voluntary: Governed by voluntary management committee and rely on support of volunteers to carry out their activities. 
  • Public benefit: Group will carry out activities which benefit a specific community group.
• B. Community Asset Committees Established by Council to manage community assets in Colac Otway Shire (e.g. Recreation Reserve Committees, Public Hall Committees).
• C. Not-for-profit, non-government organisations An organisation that does not operate for the profit, personal gain or other benefit of particular people (e.g. its members, the people who run the organisation, or their friends or relatives).

Applicant must also:

• Be located within Colac Otway Shire.
• Be Incorporated (or have an auspice arrangement if not incorporated - refer to Clause 13).
• Have an Australian Business Number (ABN).

• Phone: (03) 5232 9400
• Email: inq@colacotway.vic.gov.au