Community Strengthening Grants (Formerly Healthy and Connected Communities Grants)

⁠⁠⁠Grants to support projects, activities or events that respond to a community need and promote inclusion and positive health and wellbeing within the community.

What's changed?

The equipment category has been removed. There is now a stand-alone Community Equipment Grant.

Schools and learning institutions are no longer eligible to apply for this grant.

Key dates

• Applications open: 26 July 2025
• Applications close: 8 September 2025 by 5.00 pm (we do not accept late applications)
• Notification to applicants: 28 January 2026

Grant guidelines

To confirm the eligibility of your organisation and activity, please read the grant guidelines before applying.

• 2025-26 Community Strengthening Grants Guidelines (WORD - 688 KB)
• 2025-26 Community Strengthening Grants Guidelines (PDF - 410 KB)

Who can apply?

To apply for this grant you must be one of the following:

• incorporated not-for-profit organisation
• unincorporated group with an auspice
• registered charitable organisation.

What can you apply for?

These grants support community groups and not-for-profit organisations to:

• create opportunities for people to get together
• help people to be more active
• promote gender equity and equality
• strengthen community action on food systems and food security
• increase awareness about the harm of alcohol and tobacco use, vaping and gambling

How much can you apply for?

There is a total grant pool of $203,000 available.

Applicants may ask for up to $10,000

How to apply

• Read the grant guidelines.
• Check you are an eligible applicant.
• Check your activity is eligible.
• Get in touch with us - please discuss your activity with us before applying.
• communitygrants@geelongcity.vic.gov.au or phone 03 5272 5560
• Collate your supporting documents.
• Answer the questions in the application form.
• Don't forget to hit the submit button.

We recommend you click Save Progress every 10 to 15 minutes when you are filling out a form.

If you leave your computer idle for 20 minutes without saving your work, and then return, the session duration may have ended (or been timed-out).

2025-26 Information Session

On Thursday 7 August, a Community Strengthening Grants information session was held.

The presentation notes are available below:

• 2025-26 Community Strengthening Grants Information Session - presentation 7 August 2025 (PDF - 1.0 MB)

Related documents

• 2025-26 Community Strengthening Grants Guidelines (WORD - 688 KB)
• 2025-26 Community Strengthening Grants Guidelines (PDF - 410 KB)