Small Grants are designed for applicants seeking a smaller amount of funding to deliver a defined project.

The small grant program is now open, for projects/programs starting from 1 December 2026 until 30 December 2027. If you have something planned for 2027, apply from 1 October 2026.

Some streams will be oversubscribed, and their funding will be exhausted quickly - we recommend you apply in the first month (even for small projects/programs to run in 2027).

Applications are assessed on a rolling basis, with outcomes typically advised within two months of submission, although timeframes may be longer during peak periods.

Grants of up to $4,000 are available across all seven funding streams.

There are seven funding streams:

• First Peoples Partnerships
• Healthy Communities
• Local Economy
• Creative City
• Environment, Conservation and Climate
• Safe Neighbourhoods
• Connecting Yarra (new, for small grants only)

We have a new stream, called Connecting Yarra. They are small grants only, up to $4,000.

General Eligibility:

• Applicants must live, work, be located in, or demonstrate a clear connection to the City of Yarra.
• Applicants must have an active ABN (Australian Business Number). See below for advice regarding sole traders*.
• Applicants (excluding individual artists) must provide a financial statement.
• Not-for-profit community groups, and arts organisations, collectives or groups, that meet all other eligibility criteria but do not have an ABN can be auspiced by an eligible incorporated organisation or Neighbourhood House.
• Applicants must be a not-for-profit, incorporated group or meet one of the following specific exceptions:
  • Be a registered charity, public benevolent institution or have DGR status.
  • Be a state government entity seeking funding for activities beyond those considered the responsibility of State or Federal Government.
  • Unincorporated not-for-profit community and arts groups can have their applications auspiced by an eligible incorporated organisation or Neighbourhood House.
  • Individual artists or arts-related businesses operating under an active sole trader ABN2 can apply as individuals under the Creative City and Cultural Participation stream. Arts related businesses must successfully demonstrate that their project will run on a not-for profit basis.
  • Businesses and creative industries operating as for-profit businesses can apply under the Vibrant and Resilient Local Economies stream (and must meet criteria for this stream).
  • Be a Social enterprise (as registered with Social Traders).
• Applicants must have acquitted all previous grants and have no outstanding debts to Yarra City Council.

Please see guidelines for extra eligibility requirements for individual funding streams.

• Phone: 9205 5555
• Email: yarragrants@yarracity.vic.gov.au