Extraordinary Community Support Grant 2024/25

Our Extraordinary Community Support Grants stream aims to support essential community service organisations to cover costs that are both urgent and unforeseen and related to the delivery of their services that cannot be accommodated in ordinary Council business or programs - for example, projects which can be supported through our Biannual Grants Program. 

Key definitions: 

• Essential community service organisations: Refers specifically to not-for-profit organisations that provide critical material aid and/or welfare services and/or emergency assistance.
• Unforeseen circumstances: An issue that could not be reasonably predicted or planned for in the course of normal operations.
• Urgent Circumstances: An issue that requires immediate action or attention that would otherwise result in a negative impact and cannot be addressed through ordinary Council business.
• Ordinary Council business: Functions and services Council provides to the community through its normal operations, including the Biannual, Partnership and Responsive grant streams of the Community Grants Program, the Council Budget submission process, and in-kind support.

Who is eligible to apply?

• Community service organisations operating in Moonee Valley that are registered as a not-for-profit entity.
• Incorporated associations operating in Moonee Valley that are registered as a not-for-profit entity.
• Registered charities operating in Moonee Valley.

What can you apply for?

• Urgent or unforeseen funds to address urgent or unforeseen circumstances that affect the operations of an essential community support service that cannot be accommodated in Council’s ordinary business.
• Funding can be provided up to a maximum of $50,000 per application.

Requirements:

• Applicants must demonstrate why the project is unforeseen and urgent, including why it cannot wait for submission into the next Biannual Community Grants round.  
• Applicants must demonstrate the situational need and why this reasonably cannot be accommodated through ordinary Council business.
• Applicants who have received a Community Grant from Moonee Valley City Council in the previous 12 months are not eligible to apply.
• Assessors will also consider any funding that has been provided by Council to the applicant over the past 5 years.

Towards the end of this application form will be asked to upload documents to support your application. Please prepare these for upload by scanning or taking clear photos and save them to your desktop correctly titled so the Grants Officer can see what has been attached. 

Attachments may include:

• Quotes for all budget items (compulsory)
• Certificate of Incorporation for not-for-profit groups
• Public Liability Insurance Certificate of Currency 
• Most recent Profit & Loss statement if the applicant is a business or an incorporated group
• Letter of Support from Auspice if applicant is not incorporated or does not have an ABN
• Permits and/or plans for works for capital works, building improvements or community events 
• Letter from land owner for capital works projects, or projects with an element of capital works
• Supporting documentation that may strengthen your application (e.g. business or marketing plan (businesses), letters of support, photos, maps, project plan, case study etc.)

Please refer to the Extraordinary Community Support Grants Guidelines for more information.

Applications are assessed competitively by Council Officers based on the assessment criteria outlined in the Extraordinary Community Support Grants Guidelines.

Summary of assessment criteria:

• Need: Why the project is needed, important and justified. Responding to objectives and priorities of the funding category and MV2040.
• Benefit: How the project will benefit the Moonee Valley community and intended participants. Demonstrated and measurable impact for local Moonee Valley community and intended participants, particularly target populations identified in MV2040.Use of local suppliers and collaborators.
• Delivery: skills and experience to deliver the project and sound financial management. Clear and accurate budget supported by quotes.

Unfortunately, not all applications will be successful due to demand and a limited pool of funding available.

It is essential to download the Extraordinary Community Grants Guidelines to review the eligibility criteria before you submit this application form.

• Download the Extraordinary Community Grants Guidelines here

If you are unsure about the eligibility of your grant project after you have read the Guidelines please contact the Community Grants team on 9243 1664 or email communitygrants@mvcc.vic.gov.au.