Multi Year Grant Program 2026/27

Before applying applicants are encouraged to read the Multi Year Funding Grant Guidelines 

This form is only for applications for the Multi Year Grant Funding Program.

The purpose of the Multi‑Year Funding Grants is to provide access to grant funding to support community organisations to deliver sustainable, high‑impact programs and projects for Darebin residents that contribute to the delivery of the Darebin 2041 Community Vision and the Our Darebin Plan 2025-2029. The strategic directions of the Our Darebin Plan are shown in Appendix 1 of the guidelines

The program is designed to:

• Enable community organisations to plan and deliver discrete, stand-alone programs/projects.
• Support longer‑term community benefit and impact, recognising that complex social, cultural, environmental and wellbeing outcomes require time to achieve.
• Provide opportunity to develop mechanisms to ensure the sustainability of the program/project beyond the funding period.

Key features of the program includes:

• Funding that is project‑based. It is not organisational or operational funding.
• Funding is not guaranteed beyond the approved period.
• All organisations must reapply through a competitive process for future funding. (If funding for the same project is sought in additional periods, organisations must show how the project has matured or broadened, and demonstrated progress towards sustainability since the previous.)
• Funding rounds are offered annually on a rolling three-year cycle. Successful applicants receive funding for a three-year period, with a new funding round announced each year.

This program has 4 grant streams with maximum annual application limits:

Arts (up to $15,000 per year)

Environment & Sustainability (Up to $14,000 per year)

Equity& Wellbeing (up to $25,000 per year)

Youth (up to $14,000 per year)

Successful applicants will receive approved funding  each year for 3 years.

Note: Total funding available per stream is set annually and is subject to Council budget .

Eligible applicants include:      

• Incorporated, not‑for‑profit organisations able to demonstrate a proven track record in the provision of quality programs and services within the City of Darebin.
• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community‑controlled organisations operating in Darebin.
• Social enterprises with a demonstrated community benefit operating in Darebin.

• Individuals are not eligible to apply.

Applicants must also:

• Operate within or deliver benefit to the Darebin municipality.
• Hold appropriate insurance (including Public Liability Insurance cover of at least $20 million).
• Be financially viable and compliant with governance requirements.
• Have a proven record of delivering projects of a similar value and scale.
• Have no outstanding debts to Council.
• Provide the organisation's most recent annual report and audited financial statement
• Proof of Incorporation/ ACNC registration. 

Please note: Organisations with existing funding or partnership arrangements with Council remain eligible to apply for grants, However Council may consider the overall distribution of Council funding when assessing applications and, where applications are of comparable merit, may prioritise organisations that do not currently receive Council funding to support broader and more equitable access to grant opportunities across the community.

ALLOCATED FUNDING:

Funding may be used to pay for costs associated with delivering the multi-year project including:

• All operational costs associated with the project including wages directly related to the project delivery.
• Materials, equipment,, catering, and resources.
• Advertising and promotion.
• Monitoring and evaluation costs.

Funding may not be used for:

•  Projects that are inconsistent with Council strategic directions or Multi-year Funding Program categories.
•  Projects are the responsibility of other levels of government (e.g. State, Federal).
•  Ongoing core operational costs (including staffing, rent and utilities) with no defined project outcomes.
•  New building projects, capital works, and facility maintenance projects.
•  Projects that have a religious or political purpose which seeks to promote core beliefs and religious functions.
•  Projects that are already receiving Council funding
•  Activities that duplicate existing services/activities unless it can be demonstrated that it meets an unmet community need.
• Payment of outstanding loans and debts.
• Projects that have already commenced or where the organisation has committed expenditure prior to the grant notification date
• Activities that occur and/or benefit people outside the municipality.
• Activities that have a primary purpose to raise funds.
• Core school curriculum activities (kindergarten, primary or secondary schools).Only applications that demonstrate a broader community partnership approach and benefit will be considered.
• Gift vouchers, prizes and trophies.
• Any project also funded (cash or in-kind) through EGM revenue, including sponsorship or venue hire.
• Any project that operates in a venue with EGMs or any project that promotes gambling.

PLEASE NOTE: 

Applicants assess their eligibility before contacting the Partnership and Grants Officer T +613 84708504 or email darebingrants@darebin.vic.gov.au to arrange a phone call or meeting to discuss proposed project.

Only one grant application per organisation will be accepted. 

Applications may be awarded an amount which is less than the amount requested.