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.
- Uniquely Melbourne experiences are accessible to everyone through city and local events and creative offerings.
Key dates
Applications for this program are currently closed.
If you would like to be advised when a new round opens, you can sign up for the Strengthening Community Organisations newsletter.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible to apply for Community Event Grants applicants must meet the following general 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 External link.
- Events must be open to the general public to attend.
- Maximum number of attendees is 5000 people.
Events that are not eligible include:
- Events with a political focus. For example, party political activities or lobbying.
- 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.
- Private events.
- Ticketed events. Applications will be accepted for events that request a voluntary gold coin donation to cover costs of the event only.
- Fundraising activities, competitions or award events.
Guidelines
For full details about the 2026-27 grants, including the assessment criteria and other necessary information, read the guidelines below.
Request an alternative format or language
If you need help accessing our website or require information in an alternative format or language, please contact our customer service team by phone on 03 9658 9658 or via our contact form External link.
Applications
Applications for this program are currently closed.
Recipients
To see what kind of events we support, read more about our previous successful applicants.
More grant opportunities
Search a range of external grants and funding opportunities available to the City of Melbourne community, artists and businesses using the Funding Centre's SmartySearch grants tool.
