Nillumbik Community Fund

Applications now closed

The Nillumbik Community Fund offers grants of up to $5,000 to community groups, organisations, and clubs to deliver community-led initiatives that meet local needs and reflect and promote objectives from both the Council Plan 2025-29 and Health and Wellbeing Plan 2025-29.

Applicants who live, work, study, volunteer or play in Nillumbik can apply for funding to support community-focused projects, activities and events taking place between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027.

Information session – Tuesday 17 February 2026

The Nillumbik Shire Council grants team hosted an in-person information session at the Diamond Valley Library which was recorded. Watch the recording below for more information.

About

The Nillumbik Community Fund grants aim to:

• respond to demonstrated community needs
• celebrate diversity and increase social inclusion
• enhance the social, cultural and environmental wellbeing of Nillumbik residents
• enhance and strengthen neighbourhoods and townships through arts, cultural and heritage activities
• provide opportunities for community to participate in active and creative lifestyles
• create a climate resilient community
• develop community capacity and empowerment
• foster and strengthen community involvement and participation in community led initiatives
• create community pride and contribute to Nillumbik’s sense of public places
• support low cost, innovative place activations that encourage social and community connection
• support local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in cultural and social activities, promote community understanding of reconciliation, and educate the broader community about Aboriginal heritage and culture
• engage children and young people to promote leadership opportunities, increase social connections and develop confidence, knowledge and skills
• support events and activities which are fun, safe, sustainable, accessible and inclusive.

Funding can be used to support the delivery of community led initiatives including but not limited to:

• community or youth programs
• First Nations cultural activities
• arts, cultural and heritage activities
• community events that target local community engagement
• placemaking and other creative initiatives that aim to activate a ‘public place’ in Nillumbik
• community safety initiatives
• initiatives that enhance the environment and/or help to achieve Council's climate action aims
• initiatives that enhance and celebrate diversity, access and inclusion.

Eligibility

To be eligible for consideration, applicants MUST:

• be a not-for-profit incorporated organisation or community group that lives, works, studies, volunteers or plays in Nillumbik
  • unincorporated organisations and groups can apply if partnered with (auspiced by) an eligible not-for-profit incorporated organisation
• artists, individuals and local businesses must partner with eligible not-for-profit incorporated organisations to be eligible to apply
• hold a minimum of $20 million public liability insurance at the time of the activity, or if the activity will be held in a Council venue or on Council land, you may be eligible for coverage under Council’s community (public liability insurance)
• activities or events on Council land may require an event permit (for more information see Planning an event in Nillumbik)
• be compliant or have satisfactorily acquitted all outstanding grants previously awarded by Nillumbik Shire Council
• speak with a Council Officer or attend an information session prior to applying
• spend the funds before 30 June 2027.

Ineligibility

Applications will NOT be considered for:

• a project, event or activity that is not being held in the Nillumbik municipal boundary, or does not directly benefit the Nillumbik community
• day to day operational expenses, remuneration or core business costs (for example administrative, maintenance, utilities, and/or organisational operating costs, ongoing salaries, volunteer salaries, infrastructure, uniforms etc)
• duplication of existing projects currently, or previously, funded by Council (if you wish to leverage off an existing project you must identify the innovative element or point of difference/value add)
• projects that should be funded via other Council grants or government programs
• projects that have received full funding from another source
• applicants that are in debt to the Shire or non-compliant with all grants previously awarded
• retrospective funding or projects which are due to commence prior to the notification of the application outcome
• projects or events with a sole political or religious purpose that could be perceived as divisive within the community
• events that are fully ticketed with no free or heavily subsidised component
• single membership-based events that are not open to the public
• activities that are primarily commercial
• projects that are curriculum based or solely student focused
• projects solely for fundraising or charitable purposes
• gift vouchers, gifts, prizes, trophies, awards or donations
• competitions with no community component
• alcohol or gambling related activities.

For more information refer to the Guidelines(PDF, 2MB).