Community Inclusion Grants

Community Inclusion Grants of between $1000 and $20,000 are available to not-for-profit community organisations and schools to work in partnership with the City of Melbourne to:

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 neighbourhoods and communities enable physical and mental wellbeing.
  • People can access necessary services in times of need.
  • Melbourne is safe, clean and accessible to all.
  • Our diverse communities can actively participate, connect and experience a sense of belonging in Melbourne.

Key dates

Applications to this program are currently closed. 

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible to apply for Community Inclusion Grants applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Applicants must be a not-for-profit constituted body or a school. Auspiced applications are permitted in this program except for capital works projects.
  • Body Corporates are eligible to apply for a Community Inclusion grant only for the provision of a publicly accessible community garden.
• Applicants must be located within, or be running the project within, the City of Melbourne municipality.
• Applications must have a focus on City of Melbourne's local communities and/or communities that are considered disadvantaged.
• Projects funded through Community Inclusion grants are eligible for up to two years of funding. Applications to this program are for one year of funding. Applicants may reapply for a second year of funding. This second year of funding is not guaranteed, and applications will be assessed as per the standard process.
• Capital works projects:
  • Capital works projects will be considered for funding for local community organisations whose work aligns with Council priorities.
  • Auspiced applications will not be accepted for capital works projects.
  • Capital works applications will only be considered where the facility is located within the City of Melbourne boundary and owned by not-for-profit organisations. Funding cannot be used for capital works projects on Council-owned land or property.
  • Community garden applications will only be considered for property that is within the City of Melbourne boundary, and either owned by a not-for-profit body or privately owned. Funding will not be considered for gardens that are on Council owned land.

Guidelines

For full details about the 2026-27 grants, including what won’t be funded, the assessment criteria and other necessary information, download the guidelines.

Applications

Applications to this program are currently closed. 

Recipients

Find out about projects and groups who received funding in the current and past grants rounds.