Community Grants Program

Central Park Tennis Club members Sharon Clough and Keith Starick (web).png

The HRCC Community Grants Program allocates funding to enhance and support the many different not-for-profit community groups in the HRCC municipality.

Community Grants will be allocated through four (4) separate grants streams, each with unique funding rounds, guidelines, application forms and reporting requirements. The Community Grants program uses the SmartyGrants on-line application and reporting platform.

Please make sure you read the guidelines before making an application.

Grant funding streams

Community Development Grants - 2026/2027 ROUND NOW OPEN

2026/2027 Community Grants Round open for applications

Horsham Rural City Council Community Development Grants Program helps not-for-profit groups in the municipality to improve facilities and work together for more engaged and healthy communities.

Minimum grant request is $500.
Maximum grant request is $10,000.

Noting - most successful applications range between $500 and $5,000.

The funding priorities for the Community Development Grants aligns with the Council Plan themes of Liveability, Sustainability and Accessibility.

The 2026/2027 Grants round is now open and will close on 2 March 2026

APPLY NOW

The application must be completed on-line. If you require assistance to complete the on-line form, our Community Grants Team can help, please contact Customer Service on 53829777 to make an appointment.

Community Development Grants 2026/2027 Guidelines(PDF, 991KB)

If you have any questions after reading the Guidelines please contact the Community Grants Team on 53829777.

Community Information drop-in sessions are scheduled for Horsham and Natimuk in February. Council's Community Grants Team will be available to discuss changes to the Community Grants program and any potential applications.

Tuesday 10 February Council Reception, 18 Roberts Avenue Horsham 2pm to 6pm

Wednesday 11 February Natimuk NC2, Main Street Natimuk 10am-2pm

Wednesday 18 February Natimuk NC2, Main Street Natimuk 10am-2pm

Community Event Grants - GRANT RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED

Community Event Grant Recipients 2025-2026

Horsham Rural City Council at the meeting held on 28 July 2025 approved event grant funding totaling $72,938 to 27 community groups to deliver a wide range of events that will enhance the liveability of our community.

See the list of approved(PDF, 70KB) projects.

All successful and unsuccessful applicants will be formally advised by email of application outcomes in July 2025.

The process for claiming grants is explained below.

Youth - NOW OPEN

Youth grants aim to support community activities and projects that benefit young people who live, work or study in our municipality.

Grant funding through this stream will start from 1 July 2024.

Minimum grant request is $200.
Maximum grant request is $2,500.

The funding priorities for the Youth Grants stream align with Council’s Youth Strategy.

Please discuss your project ideas with Council's Youth Team on 53829531 or email horsham.youth@hrcc.vic.gov.au

APPLY NOW

Youth Grant Guidelines 2025/2026(PDF, 581KB)

Urgent Need Grants - NOW OPEN

The Urgent Needs Grants stream aims to support urgent and short-term requests for funding support from not-for-profit groups within our community.

Applicants should first consider if they can apply within the timelines of other grant programs (refer 1, 2 or 3 above). If these timelines are restrictive, applicants may apply for an Urgent Need Grant.

Minimum grant request is $200
Maximum grant request $1,000

To be considered for an Urgent Need Grant, projects must align with HRCC Council Plan priorities.

Please read the Guidelines(PDF, 970KB) before applying and if you have any questions or require assistance contact the Community Grants Team on 53829777 or grants@hrcc.vic.gov.au

APPLY NOW

How to claim a successful Grant allocation through on-line SmartyGrants

The grant will be paid to your organisation on completion of your project and the submission of a Final Report /Grant Claim.

Successful grant applicants will receive an email indicating that the Final Report/Grant Claim form has been added to your application.

Steps to claim the grant:

Go to https://horshamrcc.smartygrants.com.au/
Log-in using your application log-in details
Click on ‘My Submissions’
Click on the ‘Application’
Complete the Completion Report and Grant Claim form
Ensure all necessary documents are attached:
- An invoice from your organisation to Council requesting payment of the grant (which will not include GST as the grant is considered a donation under GST law)
- Substantiation of your group’s expenditure on the project in accordance with the grant application (for example, a copy of a supplier’s invoice)
- A photograph of your completed project that Council may use for grant promotion purposes
Press ‘Submit’

If you have any queries regarding the claiming of your grant, please contact the Community Grants Team on 53829777.

Please note: if you have an outstanding community grant that was due for completion by 30 June 2025 or earlier, please contact the Community Grants Team to discuss how to claim your grant, as the on-line reporting process is not available for older grants.