Colac Otway Shire Grants Program 2023-2024

2023-2024 ROUND CLOSED

The Colac Otway Shire Grants Program provides one-off financial assistance grants to assist community organisations, event organisers and businesses in delivering projects and programs that benefit the wider community and help in achieving outcomes consistent with the 2021-2025 Council Plan.

The Grants Program supports projects and programs that improve strong and resilient economies, natural and built environments and healthy and inclusive communities.

Program Guidelines:

2023-2024 Colac Otway Shire Grants Program Guidelines (PDF)

Funding Streams:

The Grants Program offers three funding streams:

  • Community Grants
  • Events Grants
  • Business Grants

Please Note: One application per organisation may be submitted to the Grants Program. Select the most relevant funding stream to apply to.  Event organisers should apply to the Events Grants.

Subscribe to the newsletter to be notified when the next funding round opens for 2024/2025.

Key Dates

Applications open: 3 March 2023

Applications close: 14 April 2023

Notification of outcome: Late June/early July 2023

Funding agreements signed: July 2023

Projects commence:  July 2023 onwards

Project completed: June 2024 or earlier (as per timeframes indicated in the application)

Help Guides, FAQ's and Hints & Tips

Help Guides:

Smartygrants Help Guide for Applicants

Smartygrants Applicants FAQ's


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

How do I apply for a Grant?

Grant Applications are made through Smartygrants - the online grant management program. Applicants will be required to register or log in to Smartygrants to start a submission.  Attachments can be uploaded in acceptable formats (refer to Applicant’s Help Guide) and recommended size is 5mb, however 25mb is the limit. 

Applications can be saved without submission, allowing a work-in-progress. When application is complete, select submit. Applicants will receive an email from Smartygrants confirming submission.

Links to the appropriate application page, as well as more in-depth information about application criteria, are located on each relevant streams page.  


Can I apply for more than one Grant?

No. Only one application can be submitted per organisation, regardless of funding stream. It is important to select the most relevant stream; Community Grants, Event Grants or Business Grants.


How do I know which Grant to apply for?

Select the stream and subsequent Grant that best matches the project/program being submitted. Each stream and subsequent Grants are explained in the Guidelines, including highlighting who can and cannot apply for each Grant.

If after exploring all streams it is still unclear, contact the Grants & Development Officer at inq@colacotway.vic.gov.au


Can I submit an application this year if I received funding last year?

Yes. However the Grants Program is a competitive process and submitting an application does not guarantee funding. 

Please note that applicants that have an outstanding acquittal from any previous grant round will not be eligible to apply for any future grant round.  Contact the Grants Officer to discuss if your current project will not be completed prior to the application closing date. 


Hints & Tips

Tips for Writing an Application:

Fact Sheet - Tips for Writing an Application Grants Program (PDF)

Tips for Completing the Budget:

Fact Sheet - Tips for completing the budget Grants Program (PDF)

Example of a Funding Agreement:

Funding Agreement Example 2023 - 2024 (PDF)

Contact Us

For queries relating to the grants program that are not addressed in the Guidelines, or assistance with the online application, contact the Grants Officer between 8.30am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday.

Grants & Development Officer

Colac Otway Shire, 2-6 Rae Street Colac
T:      (03) 5232 9400
E:      inq@colacotway.vic.gov.au

 

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e-Newsletters

Consider subscribing to our e-Newsletter, and receive emails from time to time around Colac Otway Shire's Grants program dates and other funding opportunities.

For more information and to subscribe check out our Grants e-Newsletters.