How to apply for a Annual Community Grant

Aim 1.1 Physical activity aims to develop opportunities for physical recreation and sport in our community by:

• Delivering support to local sporting clubs, including grants, training and volunteer development, to strengthen inclusive sporting opportunities.
• Facilitate programs and events that encourage participation in physical activity for all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
• Deliver passive and active recreation opportunities through walking tracks, sportsgrounds, parks and aquatic and recreation centres.

Aim 1.2 Health, wellbeing and social connection is for projects and activities that promote  good health and wellbeing across all ages, abilities and cultural backgrounds by:

• Partner with and support local community organisations to enhance health and wellbeing outcomes and build community capacity, including through workshops, grants and volunteers.
• Deliver tailored programs promoting social connection, health, wellbeing and independence for young people, children and families, and older people.
• Deliver support and resources to community groups and community members to strengthen and grow local volunteering.

Aim 1.3 Safety and resilience is for projects and programs that enable our community feels safe, resilient and connected with strong social ties, support for those most at risk and collaboration across local services contributing to public safety by:

• Partner with local stakeholders and police to proactively address community safety concerns and provide awareness raising campaigns and education.
• Deliver programs and initiatives that promote gender equality and prevent gender-based violence.
• Deliver initiatives that strengthen community connections and build our community’s resilience to adapt and respond to emergencies and climate impacts.
• Support people experiencing homelessness to access and connect with local services.
• Deliver programs and initiatives that build social cohesion and address racism.

Aim 1.4 Lifelong learning aims to maximise quality of life for residents in Boroondara by: 

• Delivering inclusive education, learning and engagement opportunities for all ages.
• Support lifelong learning and personal development by supporting kindergartens, early learning centres, seniors’ centres, neighbourhood houses and community centres
• Partner with local neighbourhood houses and community groups to expand access to informal and lifelong learning opportunities.
• Support skills development for young people that prepares them for employment.

Aim 1.5 Arts and culture encourages diverse arts and cultural programs, festivals, events and activities in Boroondara that:

• Deliver a program of high-quality, diverse, accessible performances and arts experiences that responds to our communities’ interests and needs.
• Support artists and creative practitioners to create and share their work by providing access to Council venues, grants and professional development opportunities.
• Activate public spaces and embed arts in local life.
• Develop destination arts and culture venues where the community can participate in the cultural life of our city.

Aim 1.6 Diversity and inclusion is for project and programs that enable our community to celebrate diversity and remove barriers to participation for vulnerable groups by: 

• Deliver initiatives that foster a welcoming and inclusive community where everyone, regardless of background, age, gender, sexuality, disability, or financial situation, have equitable access to community facilities, services, programs and events.
• Deliver targeted initiatives that actively address barriers to participation and inclusion, in particular for multicultural communities, people with disability, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex, queer, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) communities, and those who are vulnerable.
• Partner with stakeholders to build on each other’s strengths and knowledge, fostering strong relationships and better community outcomes.

Aim 2.6 Local economy aims to increase the vibrancy and functionality of Boroondara's retail precincts by: 

• Provide vibrant and well-maintained shopping precincts that are accessible and lively, featuring a range of greenery, seating, public art and spaces for meeting, socialising and entertainment.
• Deliver and partner with local businesses to deliver events and activities that make Boroondara a desirable destination for visitors.
• Support outdoor trading, community interaction and connection by expanding and enhancing public areas including streetscapes, town squares, footpaths and other spaces.
• Support and promote local markets.

Aim 3.1 Tree canopy and biodiversity is for projects and programs that help people to live sustainably and preserve the natural environment by: 

• Deliver initiatives that protect and expand Boroondara’s tree canopy and natural habitats to preserve and enhance the area’s leafy character and biodiversity.
• Deliver maintenance and care for trees on public land, including trimming and species selection, to protect the health and longevity of our urban forest.
• Deliver maintenance, revegetation and habitat enhancement initiatives to protect local ecosystems and sustain native flora and fauna.

Aim 3.4 Circular economy is for projects and programs that help our environment benefit from a circular economy, where we reduce waste, reuse resources and sustainability is part of everyday life by : 

• Planning  and delivering circular economy solutions with our community to improve resource efficiency and create a healthier environment.
• Deliver recycling and waste options that help our community and local businesses to increase material recovery and send less waste to landfill.
• Deliver education programs that encourage waste avoidance, better composting and improved recycling.
• Advocate for reduced product packaging and better recycling options.
• Deliver support for circular economy programs that encourage the longevity and reuse of goods, materials and other resources.

Aim 4.1 Reconciliation is for project or programs that celebrates the histories, cultures, knowledge and contributions of First Peoples and progress reconciliation by:

• Partner and work with our Traditional Owners, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung, First Peoples and the wider community to foster community understanding of our shared history and the ongoing contributions of First Peoples.
• Engage in meaningful and respectful relationships with our Traditional Owners, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung, and First Peoples to progress reconciliation.
• Partner and work with our Traditional Owners, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung, and First Peoples to ensure their voices are heard.

• Describe what your project or activity will achieve in reference to the Community Grants Program objectives.
• Describe how your project or activity addresses the relevant Boroondara Community Plan Theme and Aim you have selected.

• Demonstrate that the activity responds to a community need and provide evidence of demand.
• Demonstrate that your research has identified this need and/or opportunities in the community that you intend to fill.
• Demonstrate community support for your proposal.
• Demonstrate that this activity cannot be funded elsewhere.
• Demonstrate the need for second year funding (if applicable).

• Describe who will participate in your project or activity and how the project outcomes will significantly benefit Boroondara residents. 
• Describe how the project or activity creates links and develops partnerships with other organisations.

• Provide evidence that your organisation has the expertise and capacity to successfully manage and evaluate the project or activity.
• Provide evidence of a program plan where appropriate.
• Ensure the budget accurately reflects the activity proposed.