COVID-19 VIC: Non-Profits – City of Greater Geelong Council Community Gardens Establishment Support Grants

This program aims to provide funding for the planning and establishment of new community gardens across the City of Greater Geelong municipality, as part of the Council's COVID-19 Community and Economic Support Package.

Grants are available in two categories:
- Category 1 - Planning: For feasibility studies including community engagement consultations, concept designs, site plans, strategic and operational plans that relate to the establishment of a community garden in a suitable location.
- Category 2 - Establishment: For core operational costs associated with setting up a new community garden including materials to build a new community garden.

Applicants may select either category 1 or 2, or a mixture of both, as long as the total request does not exceed $5,000.

A total funding pool of $20,000 is available.

Eligible applicants include:
- Not-for-profit, incorporated bodies, co-operatives or associations
- Registered charitable organisations
- Unincorporated bodies with an auspice

Eligible applicants, as listed above, must hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) or provide a Statement by a Supplier Form, available from the Australian Tax Office.

Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete eligibility requirements.

Eligible ideas include, but are not limited to:
- Engage the services of consultant/specialised contractor.
- Undertake community engagement activities such as consultation meetings and other methods of communication with interested people and local stakeholders.
- Start-up costs to assist with administration fees to help to formally establish a new community garden group.
- Purchase of materials to build a new community garden; such as a garden shed and/or garden beds, or minor infrastructure such as water facilities or connection.

The main assessment criteria include:
- Community impact (60%)
- Environmental impact (25%)
- Well-planned proposal (15%)

Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete list of the assessment criteria.

The following are ineligible for funding:
- Profit-making organisations, commercial entities, businesses, individuals and sole traders.
- Schools, kindergartens, preschools and other learning institutions.
- Organisations with outstanding debts or arrears to the City of Greater Geelong.
- Organisations that have not provided a satisfactory evaluation/acquittal form for any previous funding received from the city – this includes organisations that have acted as an auspice for an unincorporated group.
- Projects that to not align with objectives of the grant program.
- Proposals for established community gardens.
- Staff salaries and wages, although we will consider funding if the costs are related to the specific proposed activity.
- Ongoing running costs of an organisation or a community garden.
- Requests for retrospective purchases or projects.
- Projects, activities or community gardens that are outside the City of Greater Geelong municipality.
- Large/major capital works, such as construction of a new building, major repairs or major maintenance.
- Purchase or lease of land or buildings.
- Fundraising events, prizes, gifts, awards or sponsorship costs, such as trophies, medals, money, vouchers and so on.