Impact Grants

Applications for Impact Grants are now open.

Impact Grants provide between $3,001 and $20,000 for community development or environmental sustainability initiatives.  

Applications closed noon Friday 31 October 2025.

If you have any questions, please contact our Community Development Officer on communitygrants@egipps.vic.gov.au or 03 5153 9500.

We use the SmartyGrants program to manage applications. To apply for a grant for the first time, your community group or organisation will need to register via the SmartyGrants platform.

• ‍Tips and planning for applying for a grant

Read the Guidelines

Note:

• Community events can be funded through Category 1 (Small Grants) and Category 2 (Impact Projects).

• Arts and Culture Grants will be supported through future grant opportunities (separate from Community Grants and Impact Grants Program).

• Visitor events and major events are supported through Council’s Pathway to Growth program (separate from the Community Grants Program).

• Category 1 (Small) and 3 (Partnerships) are not available as part of this grant round.

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Community Small Grants

Council’s Community Grant Program provides funding opportunities for East Gippsland based community groups and organisations.

Through this program, Council supports a wide range of projects that strengthen our communities, encourage environmental sustainability, social connection, health and well-being, and social inclusion and cultural diversity.

The objective of the Community Grants Program is to provide local community-based organisations the opportunity to access funding for a variety of needs and initiatives in a manner that is open, transparent and accountable.

The current round of Community Small Grants has now closed.

If you have any questions, please contact our Community Development Officer on communitygrants@egipps.vic.gov.au or 03 5153 9500.

We use the SmartyGrants program to manage applications.

To apply for a grant for the first time, your community group or organisation will need to register via the SmartyGrants platform.

Guidelines – Community Grants Program guidelines

For applications, please register here.

• ‍Tips and planning for applying for a grant

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The 2025-26 Community Small Grants program:

In total 28 (72 applications) applications received have been recommended for funding under the grant funds, representing Council funding contribution of $56,209.57 towards projects of a total delivery value of $114,914.78.

Small Grants were up to $3000.

‍The recipients include:

• Mallacoota Halls and Recreation Reserve Grounds Management Committee Inc- Mallacoota community clubrooms garden project, $3,000.00

• Community Sewing Group- A project of the Lioness's Lions Club East Gippsland Community Sewing Group, $3,000.00

• Tambo Valley Golf Club- Upgrade to refrigeration unit (clubhouse), $3,000.00

• Swifts Creek Bush Nursing Centre (SCBNC)- B.U.S.H  (Bonding, Understanding, Safety & Health) MUMS - Building remote mums' skills and confidence, $2,188.00

• Mountain Biking East Gippsland- Trail start, direction, difficulty rating signage and feature warning signage Mt Taylor Mountain Bike Park, $3,000.00

• The Bemm River Community Recreation Centre Inc.- Bemm River Mother's Day Classic, $900.00

• Bairnsdale Recycling Enterprise Inc.- Let there be light, $2,250.00

• Snowy West Landcare Group- Installation of artwork by Indigenous artist showcasing local native flora and fauna, $2,650.00

• Friends of Picnic Point Reserve Landcare Group Inc- Tools required for maintenance, $1,736.00

• Friends of the Mitta, Inc.- Give back volunteer day and evening event with music and BBQ, $2,500.00

• Lakes Entrance Regional Historical Society Inc.- Keeping up with history, $1,399.00

• Bairnsdale Scout Group- Keeping the ‘out’ in Scouting - Navigation tools old and new for scout outdoor adventures, $1,000.00

• Country Women’s Association of Victoria Inc- Purchase of a gazebo, $1,733.01

• Knit for Charity “Lakes Entrance”- Blankets for charity, $1,400.00

• Bairnsdale and District Table Tennis Association- All abilities sports day, $3,000.00

• Raymond Island Community Association Garden Group- Water saving community gardening on Raymond Island, $1,349.00

• Bairnsdale and District Dog Obedience Club- Dog training enclosure, $600.00

• Orbost Residents’ Community Association- Upgrade of the community notice board in Orbost, $2,000.00

• Bairnsdale Hub Games Club- Fortnightly introductory games for beginners, $900

• West Bairnsdale Cricket Club- IT and equipment upgrade, $1,500.00

• Surf Life Saving Lakes Entrance- Increasing access to Nippers: Inclusive extra volume boards for surf education, $2,700.00

• Mallacoota and Genoa Broadcasting Association Incorporated- Keeping Genoa connected, $3,000.00

• Glenaladale Landcare Group- Glenaladale fire shed firewall planting, $2,200.00

• Wy Yung Net Set Go- Net Set Go uniform and equipment, $1,704.56

• Mallacoota and District Tool Library Association Inc- Catering support for event promoting and celebrating the opening of the Mallacoota and District Tool Library building, $500.00

• Bairnsdale Pony Club Inc.- Bairnsdale Pony Club Inc. safety equipment upgrade, $2,000.00

• Buldah Community Association Incorporated- Buldah community fire guard powering up (electrical works), $3,000.00
• Bairnsdale Adult Equestrian Club Inc.-

• Expand and diversify equestrian training opportunities, $2,000.00

Council is committed to supporting those who have missed out on grants in previous rounds. Guidance and feedback will be offered to help these groups refine their proposals and prepare for future funding rounds.

Grants available for community Australia Day events

Are you part of a community group holding an event to mark Australia Day?

We have small grants available for community organisations to help them celebrate Australia Day in a way that is meaningful to the local community.

To support as many towns as possible, we are only able to award one grant per town. We would like activities on Australia Day to be free, however, we understand organisers may seek some donations to subsidise other costs.

For more, contact Council’s Community Development Officer on 03 5153 9500 or email communitygrants@egipps.vic.gov.au.

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