Stronger Communities Grants

Stronger Communities Programme Grants Scheme

As part of our efforts to serve you in our local community, the Australian Government provides a number of grant opportunities to not for profit community organisations.

The Stronger Communities Programme grants scheme set up by the Commonwealth Government is to support projects that provide social benefits for local communities. 

I am very pleased to announce that expressions of interest are open for Round 9 of the Stronger Communities Programme.

To commence an application, your organisation will be required to submit an expression of interest (‘EOI’) to my office, where it will be assessed by the Maribyrnong Stronger Communities Programme Panel. This submission must include:

  • the name, contact details and ABN of your organisation

  • the proposed project

  • amount of grant money being applied for

  • a brief summary of how this project will promote community cohesion.

If your EOI is approved, you will be officially invited to submit your application online to the Department.

Grants between $2,500 and $20,000 are available to eligible community groups and organisations in Maribyrnong for eligible community projects that encourage and support participation in local projects, improve local community participation and contribute to vibrant and viable communities. 

If your organisation would like to be considered, please complete the below form by 5:00pm Friday, August 1.

Successful applicants will then be invited to submit a full application through an online portal.  

The maximum cost of your project cannot exceed $50,000 and your project must be completed no later than 31 December 2026. For local governing bodies, total Commonwealth funding for the project cannot exceed 50 per cent of the total eligible project expenditure.

To be eligible for funding an applicant must:

  • be invited to apply by your local MP 

  • have an Australian Business Number (ABN) 

  • and be one of the following entities: 

    • an incorporated not-for-profit entity (the grant opportunity guidelines provide detail on how you must demonstrate your ‘not for profit’ status) 

    • a local governing body as defined by the Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995 

    • a Commonwealth, state or territory government agency or entity that is a fire service, rural fire service, country fire authority, state emergency service or similar. 

    • an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust with responsibility for a community asset or property. You will be required to provide relevant trust documents. For further information on program eligibility refer to the grant opportunity guidelines.

For support or further information on eligibility and the application criteria, please visit: https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/stronger-communities-programme-round-9 or call 13 28 46. **PLEASE NOTE: Maribyrnong is still accepting applications due to a deadline extension.

For further information or assistance with submitting your EOI, please email me or call my office. I look forward to receiving your EOI.