Community Strengthening First Nations Grants

⁠⁠⁠Grants to support self-determined projects and initiatives aimed at increasing health and social equity for Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, First Nations People, organisations and groups living in greater Geelong.

Information Session

Join our information session to learn about the funding, eligibility, and how applications are assessed. You’ll also have the chance to ask questions.

Date: Tuesday 20 January

Time: 10.00am – 11.00am

Venue: Wurriki Nyal, 137–149 Mercer Street, Geelong

Register here

Grant guidelines

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

• Community Strengthening First Nations Grants - 2025-26 Guidelines (WORD - 699 KB)
• Community Strengthening First Nations Grants - 2025-26 Guidelines (PDF - 390 KB)

Who can apply?

Applicants must be based in the greater Geelong municipality.

Wadawurrung Traditional Owners living outside Geelong are also eligible to apply when the project is delivered in Geelong. The City recognises Wadawurrung Country extends beyond Geelong’s municipal boundaries

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

• incorporated not-for-profit organisation
• group with an auspice
• registered charitable organisation
• Early Years (playgroup, kindergarten, childcare centre)
• business
• individual operating as sole traders (with an active ABN).

What can you apply for?

These grants support applications to:

• deliver on the National Agreement on Closing the Gap socio-economic targets
• deliver on the five pillars of the City’s Community Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-29
• increase understanding, respect and celebration of First Nations perspectives and culture
• increase knowledge and understanding of the impacts of colonisation on First Nations People and Traditional Owners through Truth Telling
• strengthen and enable First Nations decision making and increase opportunities for community participation and diverse engagement.

How much can you apply for?

The total amount of funding available for Community Strengthening First Nations Grants is $100,000.

This grant has two categories, and you may request:

• Category 1 – up to $5,000

Suits projects with shorter timeframes, smaller scope or engagement.

• Category 2 –$5,001 up to $25,000

Suits larger scale projects, with greater impact, supported by comprehensive budgets and project plans, and in-depth community consultation, and include several partners.

You can only apply for one category per funding round.

We generally accept only one application per applicant. However, for this grant we recognise that strong partnerships are essential. As a result, we understand that a First Nations individual, group or organisation may be involved in more than one application as a partner. This involvement will not make any of the applications ineligible.

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 or
• Tina Biggs, First Nations Engagement and Outcomes Project Officer.
• tina.biggs@geelongcity.vic.gov.au or phone 03 5272 4046
• Collate your supporting documents.
• Answer the questions in the application form.
• Don't forget to hit the submit button.

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