Small Project Grants support community programs and initiatives that benefit residents of the Macedon Ranges Shire and help achieve Council Plan goals.

The aim of the program is to support:

• local needs
• projects that are unlikely to be funded by other Council funding programs
• Council Plan priorities.

They are open throughout the year, except during the election period in the lead up to a Council election.

There is a pool of $30,000 for 2024/25, with groups able to apply for a grant of up to $3,000. Note: a community group can only receive one Small Project Grant per financial year.

To discuss your project ideas or for any questions, call (03) 5422 0333 or email grants@mrsc.vic.gov.au

We welcome applications from LGBTQIA+, First Nations and any groups who have not applied for funding previously. For further information on eligibility, read the Small Project Grant Guidelines.

Note: The current round of the Small Project Grants may close prior to 30 June 2025 if all funding has been expended.

Guidelines and resources

For details on who can apply and the types of projects that will or will not be funded, read the guidelines

• Small Projects Guidelines(DOCX, 8MB)
• Small Projects Guidelines(PDF, 1MB)

Hard copies can be provided on request or collected from one of Council’s offices.

Child Safe Standards

• Short guide to Child Safe Standards(PDF, 6MB)
• Child Safe Standards direct contact checklist(DOCX, 64KB)
• Child Safe Statement of commitment(DOCX, 61KB)

Planning

• Sample project plan(DOCX, 19KB)
• Sample budget(DOCX, 19KB)
• Community benefit and inclusion checklist(DOCX, 129KB)

Assessment

• Scoring matrix(DOCX, 56KB)

Smarty Grants

• Help guide for applicants(PDF, 5MB)
• Smarty file information

How to apply

1. Make sure you have reviewed the current Small Project Grant Guidelines in the section above.
2. Contact Council's Community Projects Officer to discuss your project idea. Call (03) 5422 0216 or email grants@mrsc.vic.gov.au
3. Check the submission date for the next Council Meeting in the table below.
4. If this is your first time using Smarty Grants, you will be prompted to register before beginning your application.
5. Once your application is complete, you will receive an automated email acknowledging successful submission.

Assistance is available on request.

All applications must be completed using the SmartyGrants platform. If you would like assistance, call us on (03) 5422 0216 or email grants@mrsc.vic.gov.au

Variations/Extensions or returning grant funds

We understand that sometimes things don't go as planned. Call us on (03) 5422 0216 or email grants@mrsc.vic.gov.au if:

• your contact details change or the key contact for the project changes
• you are unable to continue with the project
• you need to make a variation or seek an extension to the project as planned in your application. You will need to complete a variation/extension request form and this will need to be approved by Council before any changes are undertaken.

Acquitting your grant

Once you have delivered your project, you will need to complete a Project Acquittal Report. This is available via the SmartyGrants platform.

The report includes:

• a summary of the benefits, challenges and learnings of the project; and
• a summary of the grant expenditure and any remaining grant funds (if applicable);
• promotional and marketing activities undertaken, including examples of the recognition of Council's financial support, photo evidence of the project and any media coverage.

Please note: If you have been auspiced for the purposes of your grant, the acquittal report will need to be signed off by the Treasurer of the Auspice and the Treasurer of the Applicant Organisation. If you have any questions regarding this, contact the Grants team.