Purpose and objectives of Community Events Grants
The City of Melbourne is committed to working in partnership to enable an inclusive community. Community Events grants provide funding for events that support diverse communities through increased community connection, access and participation – building on principles of equity, diversity and inclusion.
The Council Plan 2025-29 outlines the strategic priorities for the City of Melbourne to build on its strong foundations to be a city that thrives as a place that benefits all.
Applications to this program must align to the following Council Plan Strategic Priorities and Outcomes:
- Healthy, safe, clean and connected communities
- Our diverse communities can actively participate, connect and experience a sense of belonging in Melbourne.
- Building a city for people
- Melbourne’s streets, squares and community spaces welcome people of all ages, identities and abilities, to meet and connect.
- Vibrant and creative Melbourne
- Uniquely Melbourne experiences are accessible to everyone through city and local events and creative offerings
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible to apply for funding through Community Events Grants, applications must meet the following criteria:
- Applicants must be a not-for-profit constituted body. Auspiced applications are not permitted in this program.
- Events must be held within the City of Melbourne municipality.
- Events must have a focus on City of Melbourne’s local communities and must be designed primarily to engage residents of the City of Melbourne.
- Events must be open to the general public to attend.
- Maximum number of attendees is 5000 people.
Funding will not be considered for:
- events with a religious focus. For example, activities that include religious service, preaching or proselytizing, or those that exclude community members of different faiths from participating. This does not include community celebrations of cultural festivals
- political lobbying or advocacy activities
- events that denigrate or exclude parts of the community or that breach Commonwealth and State anti-vilification laws
- activities that have an adverse effect on public health, safety, the environment or heritage
- ticketed events. Applications will be accepted for events that request a voluntary gold coin donation to cover costs of the event only
- commercial activities and/or organisations
- Commonwealth or State Government Departments
- fundraising activities, competitions or award events
- prize money or prizes
- interstate and international travel costs including travel costs for facilitators/consultants
- activities that have already commenced or occurred
- projects that are being, or have already been, funded through other City of Melbourne grant or sponsorship programs
- activities run by the City of Melbourne
- organisations with outstanding acquittals or debts owing to the City of Melbourne
- an applicant that conducts, or has conducted, themselves in a way that the CoM considers to be injurious or prejudicial to the character or interests of the City of Melbourne
- incomplete applications
Funding Level
Applications for Community Events Grants funding can be made for up to $10,000.
Key dates
- Applications open 3pm on Thursday 11 December 2025.
- Applications close 11.59pm on Monday 26 January 2026.
- Applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application in May 2026.
- First instalment of grant payments will be paid in mid-July 2026.
- Events must take place after 1 July 2026.
- Events must be completed by 30 June 2027.
Please refer to the Community Events Grants guidelines for full details of the program including assessment criteria, grant terms and conditions and Frequently Asked Questions
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