Thank you to everyone who contributed to the review of Yarra’s community grants program in 2024. We are happy to announce that at the Council meeting on 13 May a new model was adopted. Starting with the upcoming 2026 grant round, there will be six funding streams:

• Healthy, Inclusive and Connected Communities    
• Vibrant and Resilient Local Economies    
• Creative City and Cultural Participation    
• First Peoples Self-Determination and Partnerships  
• A Climate-Resilient and Adapted City    
• Safe, Clean and Welcoming Neighbourhoods  

There will be one round annually, and three sizes of grants available – small up to $4,000; medium $4,001 – $20,000; and large $20,001 – $40,000. Responsive small grants will be available through the year until the funding pool is exhausted.

The Council’s investment in the grants remains the same with a total pool of $1.54m.  

This redesign responds to the findings from an independent review of the grants program, including the feedback we heard from those who have previously interacted with the program. It aims to simplify the application process while ensuring a robust and transparent system for scoring and allocation. The new categories are aligned with the emerging priorities outlined in the Council Plan 2025–29, which Council will consider at its June meeting.

To allow time to implement these changes, the grant round for projects in 2026 will open on Monday, 8 September 2025, and close on Sunday, 19 October 2025. Grant information sessions will be held in August and September 2025. The application outcomes will be announced on Wednesday, 17 December 2025, for projects commencing from January 2026.  

Grant information sessions  

6.00pm, Tuesday 26 August, Collingwood Library Meeting Room, 11 Stanton St, Abbotsford  

10.00am, Thursday 28 August, Meeting Room 1, Richmond Town Hall. 333 Bridge Rd, Richmond

12.00pm, Tuesday 2 September, Seminar Rooms 1 & 2 (ground floor), Bargoonga Nganjin North Fitzroy Library, 182–186 St Georges Rd, Fitzroy North

Our Grants Administration Guide [ PDF, 1.71 MB] provides more information on how we manage the program, including the application and assessment process.

Grant Assessment Panels 

We are currently recruiting grant panel members to assess the next round of grants in October/ November 2025. 

This Expression of Interest round is an opportunity for community members to indicate their interest in being on a community grant assessment panel. 

These panels will help to assess the grant applications received for projects to commence in 2026. 

What does being a Community Panel Member involve?

As a Community Grant Panel Assessor, you will be:
• Required to complete assessments for all assigned applications. This could be up to 20 applications. Each application may take 10-15 minutes to assess. It is anticipated that you will have from mid-October until early November, to complete these assessments.

• Required to attend one half-hour online conflict of interest training session.

• Required to attend one panel meeting. It is anticipated that the Community Panel meetings will be held in mid-November and depending on the number of applications, could be up to three hours long. Lunch will be provided.

• Required to declare any potential Conflict of Interests - you are still able to be an assessor if an organisation you have a conflict of interest with applies for a grant, but you will not be involved in the assessment of their application.

• Assessors will be appointed for four years and paid an honorarium of $300 per annum for their work.