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                    Community Events Grants

                    People standing around a garden
                    The City of Melbourne is committed to working in partnership to enable an inclusive community. Community Events grants provide funding for local events that benefit the City of Melbourne community by increasing community connection and belonging.

                    ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Grants of up to $10,000 per event are available to not-for-profit organisations to work in partnership with the City of Melbourne to:

                    • support the needs and aspirations of diverse communities in the municipality

                    • increase community connections and belonging to increase participation and progress equity and inclusion

                    • build community capacity​

                    Dates

                    Applications for Community Events Grants open annually.

                    Applications for this program are currently closed.

                    This program will reopen for applications in December 2024, for events held between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026. 

                    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

                    • Events must be open to the general public to attend

                    • Maximum number of attendees is 5000 people.​

                    Events that are not eligible

                    ​Community Events Grants are provided to support public special events that community organisations are conducting. Events that are not eligible for Community Events Grants 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.

                    Event Permits

                    ​Permits may be required for your event. There are a number of permits that may be required depending on the activities that will take place as part of your event. To find out more information about what permits may be required and to find out how to apply please see the links below​

                    • Event Permit – If you intend on using any outdoor public open space managed by City of Melbourne, you need to submit an event permit application online. A minimum of 6 weeks' notice will be required to process an application. Fees may be applicable for an event permit regardless of the outcome of this application. For information about an outdoor space, view the City of Melbourne interactive map, contact the Event Operations Team on (03) 9658 9658, or via email at events@melbourne.vic.gov.au.

                    • POPE permit – If you want to hold an event over an area of more than 500 m2, or erect temporary structures such as inflatable jumping castles or large stages or marquees, you may need a special permit. This is an occupancy permit for a place of public entertainment. A minimum of 15 business days will be required to process an application. The Event Operations Team will let you know if you require this permit when you apply for your Event Permit. Fees may be applicable for a POPE permit. For further information, contact the Building and Planning Team on 9658 9658 or building@melbourne.vic.gov.au

                    Applications

                    Applications 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.

                    Application assistance

                    ​​If you are unable to complete the application form online due to access issues or you have difficulty using technology please contact us via email at commstrength@melbourne.vic.gov.au or phone on 03 9658 9901 and we will discuss how we can assist you to complete the forms.​

                    Guidelines

                    For full details about the 2024 grants, including the assessment criteria and other necessary information, read the guidelines.

                    Community Events Grants Guidelines 2023 to 2024 - (DOC 133KB)​

                    Community Events Grants Guidelines 2023 to 2024 (PDF 423KB) ​

                    Contact us

                    Telephone number
                    03 9658 990103 9658 9901
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