Quick Response Grants

Applications opening soon

Quick Response grants aim to fill a funding gap for unfunded community groups and not-for-profit organisations requiring assistance outside of our annual community grant programs.

Applicants can apply to receive up to $1,000 (GST inclusive) in Quick Response funding during a financial year to support one-off emerging, or unexpected needs and opportunities. This funding is designed to support activities that come up suddenly, rather than ongoing costs, planned activities, or regular expenses, unless a clear and special need can be demonstrated.

What can be funded

One-off emerging projects, or unexpected needs and opportunities such as:

• expenses associated with establishing a new community group or supporting existing groups to be sustainable (e.g. incorporation, insurance and promotion costs)
• purchase of materials, equipment or tools for an identified need
• communications, media and marketing (e.g. design and printing of promotional flyers or website design)
• activities to support a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion (e.g. cultural awareness training for volunteers)
• volunteer recruitment and support costs (e.g. recruitment and training expenses)
• consultant, speaker or contractor fees
• venue or meeting room hire.

What won't be funded

Applications will NOT be considered for:

• projects, events or activities that:
  • were previously supported by a Council grant
  • could be funded through Council’s annual community grant programs, peak bodies or other government funding
  • are being held outside the Nillumbik municipal boundary, or that won’t substantially benefit the Nillumbik community
  • are fully ticketed with no free or heavily subsidised component
  • are curriculum based or entirely student, club or congregation focused
  • are solely for fundraising purposes without broad community benefit
  • have received full funding from another source
  • have a political or religious purpose
• ongoing operational expenses or core business costs without a clearly identified need (e.g. salaries, administrative costs, maintenance costs, supplies, uniforms, utility bills, etc)
• funding sought by sporting clubs for competition games, uniforms, equipment or other infrastructure necessary to support their primary activities
• competitions, prize money, awards or gifts
• alcohol or gambling related activities
• retrospective funding for projects that are due to commence prior to the notification of the application outcome
• applicants that are in debt to or have any outstanding commitments and/or acquittals with Nillumbik Shire Council.

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
• hold a minimum of $20 million public liability insurance at the time of the activity (if activity 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)
• have acquitted and be compliant with all Nillumbik grants previously awarded by Council
• spend the funds before 30 June 2027.

Funding conditions

Successful applicants must agree to:

• keep Council informed of any changes to the proposed funded activity
• liaise with Council regarding their promotional material and use of the appropriate Nillumbik Shire Council logo
• obtain all relevant project and event related permits, approvals, and licences from the relevant authorities prior to commencement
• return the full or remaining amount of grant monies to Council if the funded activity is cancelled or is less than budgeted
• submit an acquittal and evaluation to Council within two months of the funded activity’s completion, or no later than 30 June 2027.

Acquittal and evaluation

This information enables Council to evaluate the achievements of funded activities, monitor the effectiveness of the grant program and ensure that we are meeting the needs of grant recipients and the community.

Recipients who have an outstanding acquittal for a grant, without an approved grant variation in place, may be ineligible for funding in future grant rounds until the outstanding acquittal is received.