COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Grants Program

For example projects that:

• Improve health and wellbeing through a prevention approach to family violence such as advancing equity across all genders
• Seek to prevent homelessness e.g. supporting people at risk of becoming homeless
• Prepare people for paid and/ or voluntary work
• Seek to develop the community’s readiness to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic
• Provide opportunities for walking and other physical activities that are Covid Safe to promote physical and mental health and social connection

Activities might include professionally facilitated webinars, workshops or training programs, or educating and increasing awareness and knowledge in the community, collaborations between community groups and local not for profit businesses organisations.

For example projects that:

• Upgrade equipment to enable participation and connection in new ways, including online
• Optimise opportunities for communities to participate, celebrate, preserve and promote local culture and identity
• Promote creative and cultural development activities that connect people and reactivate public spaces
• Skills development training/workshops, learning, arts and heritage activities
• Provide opportunities for community connection, engagement, collaboration, and social connection in new and innovative ways in a COVID-19 environment
• Foster inclusion for people with disability and their carers

For example projects that:

• Improve access to information regarding emergency relief services
• Improve access and connection to psycho-social support services, health care and first aid, and family violence services with a focus on vulnerable communities
• Expand and improve the distribution of food, water and material aid
• Improve access to emergency accommodation (including animal care)
• Provide training opportunities for staff and volunteers to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to assess the immediate needs

Applicants can apply through the Council’s online SmartyGrants portal.

Before applying, individual applicants/representatives of the organisations must read and understand the program guidelines and are strongly encouraged to discuss their project idea with a Council officer before applying.

To ensure fair access across groups and organisations in Yarra Ranges:

• An eligible applicant can submit one application only.
• Individual artists must be auspiced by an incorporated organisation.
• Auspicing organisations can sponsor more than one application. 

The funding rounds opens 16 October and closes on the 16  November 2020. Applications will be assessed at the end of the round. Applicants are notified of outcomes approximately four weeks after the closing date.

Make sure you apply before your activity or event takes place as there is no retrospective funding awarded. The approved project must be completed before the end of 2021. 

The following important requirements demonstrate the foundations for projects to be successful.

• Projects must be located in Yarra Ranges and deliver all outcomes in Yarra Ranges.
• Applicants must commit to obtaining all necessary permits related to the funded activity, particularly for events and installations.
• Projects must have suitable public liability insurance that covers the duration of the project. If the organisation/individual does not have public liability insurance at the time of application, a funding condition is that they must provide evidence of obtaining it before the grant is paid.
• Current Working with Children Checks and Child Safe Standards compliance is required of funding recipients (where appropriate).
• Applicants must consent to provide evidence of how funds were spent, progress reports if required and feedback to Council on project activities, outcomes, impacts, and benefits through an acquittal process.
• Equipment (such as laptops, tablets, cameras, etc.): Applicants, including individual artists, are eligible to apply for up to $1,500 for these components of their project. Applications for equipment also need to demonstrate measurable outcomes with wide community benefit. Applications will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Please note: Applications from individual artists must be auspiced by a local organisation, based in the Yarra Ranges. Non-consumable material and equipment is to be purchased by the auspicing body and retained by them to be used as a community asset, after the completion of the project. Individual artists are strongly encouraged to discuss their project plans with the Grants Team before starting their application.
• Applicants, including individual artists, can purchase consumable materials, supplies, or subscriptions e.g. to software platforms (for the duration of the project) if that is required to undertake the project, up to the sum of $1,500.
• For all applications, the value of all equipment and materials combined must not exceed $1,500 of the total budget for the grant sought.
• Applicants must submit all supporting material when applying. Given the competitive nature of grants, no late submission of supporting documents will be accepted.

Applications will be ineligible if funding is intended for:

• A program, service, or activity that is primarily the responsibility of the State or Federal Government and activities that are currently funded by the State and Federal Government; for example, the core business of schools, hospitals, libraries or other services.
• Activities that take place outside Yarra Ranges.
• A new building, capital works or facility maintenance works.
• Activities that duplicate programs already being delivered within the same geographical area.
• Purchasing food and water for delivery of relief services that receive funding from other levels of government.
• Ongoing staff salaries or administration costs not specific to the project.
• Projects that involve children and young people to stay overnight or other kinds of camps.
• Projects that are for core school curriculum activities or school-based projects that do not engage the wider community.
• Activities that take place at inappropriate venues; for example, gambling venues or venues that are sponsored by gambling businesses.
• Projects with the singular purpose of promoting religion or politics.
• Professional services, training, study or academic research here or overseas.
• Retrospective funding of projects. Applicants need to submit their application before the event or activity occurs.
• Subsidising ongoing or regular use of Council’s halls or facilities.
• Awards, purchase of trophies and competitions.

The funding round opens 16 October and closes on the 16  November 2020. Applications will be assessed at the end of the round. Applicants are notified of outcomes approximately four weeks after the closing date.

Make sure you apply before your activity or event takes place as there is no retrospective funding awarded. The approved project must be completed before the end of 2021.

Up to $5,000. 

Council is committed to promoting child safety and ensuring compliance with the Victorian Child Safe Standards. As a Child Safe organisation, Council requires projects or programs which involve direct or incidental contact with children to have appropriate measures in place.

Applicants will be stepped through what’s required as part of the online application process.

Applicants are expected to provide a budget aligned with outcomes for the project duration. Budgets need to demonstrate considered planning, be realistic and justifiable for the proposed application.

Yes, for all individual expense items which exceed $500.00

Whilst not mandatory, co-contributions (including cash or in-kind) will be considered favourably. Full and confirmed details of any co-contributions must be outlined in your application.

Examples of other contributions may include you as the applicant; individuals contributing skills or time; state government funding; not for profit organisations; or local business sponsorship.

It is Council's expectation that grants are used only for the approved project and not to contribute to the grantee’s general overheads, administration or other indirect costs. However, Council also recognises that some indirect, overhead and administrative costs may be directly attributable to the project or activities being funded. In such cases, consideration will be made to fund these expenses to a reasonable level. 

Decisions will be made on a case by case basis.

For all application enquiries, please call Council directly on 1300 368 333 during business hours. 

Alternatively, you can email grants@yarraranges.vic.gov.au  (Please include your application reference number in the email subject heading)

Support letters are well regarded and helpful. Ensure letters are relevant to the application and support your case for funding.

A community group (or individual artist) that is not incorporated must have their application ‘auspiced’ by an incorporated organisation. The auspicing body is legally responsible for the funds and enters into the Funding Agreement with Council.

Please note that information on the auspicing body will need to be provided in the application, including their ABN, financial report and contact details. Grant applicants can allocate a small auspicing fee as part of the application.

Read more about auspicing arrangements.

View an example of a Memorandum of Understanding between Auspice Organisation and Applicant document.(DOCX, 27KB)

You will receive an automated email acknowledging your application has been lodged.  All applications undergo a pre-assessment eligibility check by a Council officer before being assessed by two independent Council Officers and the Manager Community Wellbeing. Successful projects are presented monthly to Council for noting. 

No. The application process is competitive, and it is anticipated that requests for funding will exceed the funding available. Successful applications will be those which best meet the grant program objectives and can demonstrate the capacity to deliver the project in response to the selection criteria.

No. Successful applicants are not guaranteed to receive the full amount of funding requested. Council reserves the right to recommend grant amounts which may differ from the amount requested.

The approved project must be completed before the end of June 2021. 

No. Due to the high volume of interest, late applications cannot be accepted.

Incorporated not-for-profit organisations, community groups, social enterprises and individual artists with no outstanding Council debts/acquittals are eligible to apply.  Applicants who are not incorporated will require an auspice. 

No, projects must be located in Yarra Ranges and deliver all outcomes in Yarra Ranges.

It is possible to vary your project, but this must be discussed with the appropriate Council officer as soon as possible.

This should be clearly communicated to your designated Council officer as soon as possible. If you are facing challenges or difficulties in implementing your project, get in touch, and we will support where we can.

Yes, an opportunity for feedback exists and will be offered as part of the unsuccessful notification process.