Community Grants

To apply, organisations must:

• Be a not-for-profit organisation, as defined by the ATO, and is not an individual.
• Be incorporated or be auspiced by an incorporated organisation for the purposes of this application.
• Hold a bank account in the organisation or auspice name and demonstrate financial viability.
• Hold $20M public liability insurance.
• Have no outstanding acquittals or other debts with Council.
• Is in (and/or supplies services to) The Rural City of Wangaratta.
• Comply with relevant legislation (equal opportunity, freedom of information, privacy, accounting standards, etc.).
• Submit a complete application with quotes, evidence of costs and supporting documents. Failure to provide these required documents will result in the application being deemed ineligible.
• Demonstrate ability to complete the project within required timeframes.

What We Will Fund

Council may support projects that align with the program objectives, including:

• Equipment and minor capital works that improve the organisation capacity (Community Grants and Quick Release Grants only).
• Training and development opportunities for community members, volunteers, or organisations.
• Innovative projects that build community resilience, connection, or future opportunities.
• Community events, festivals and gatherings.
• Must align with the Council Plan 2025-2029

What We Will Not Fund

The following items and activities are not eligible for funding:

• Duplication of an existing service, activity or item already available.
• Projects or activities that are the responsibility of State or Federal Government.
• Prizes, awards, gifts or gratuities.
• Projects that have already commenced or been completed prior to funding approval.
• Salaries or wages for existing organisational staff.
• Projects already receiving Council funding.
• Initiatives that do not directly benefit the Wangaratta community.
• Projects not accessible to the wider community.
• Applications seeking funding to repay loans or cover existing debts.
• Previous-round-funded projects in the same program:
  
  • Community Grant – Previous financial year
  • Quick Release Grant – Previous financial year
  • Sponsorship – Previous three-year term
• Projects assessed as high risk or unviable.
• Activities promoting discrimination, violence or anti social behaviour.

All applications must demonstrate alignment with one or more Council Plan strategies. A strong, well‑evidenced alignment to one strategy is considered equally as competitive as an application which shows weaker evidence across multiple.

Council Plan 2025-29 Strategies

• Provide access to services and programs that enable people to live healthy, active, and inspired lives
• People feel connected and included in the community
• Ensure services and spaces are safe, accessible, inclusive and welcoming to everyone in our community.