Shortstack - January 14, 2026

Bass Coast community grants

Council's Community Grants Program is open year-round and assessed twice annually, offers funding across several categories:

• General Community Grants: $2001–$5000 for equipment, activities, or project seeding.
• Festivals, Celebrations, and Events Grants: $2001–$5000 for community-led events.
• Minor Capital Works Grants: Up to $5000 for facility improvements or fixed equipment.
• Major Project Funding: $5001 up to $10,000 for larger-scale projects, excluding Equipment, with up to three funded per round.

Community Grants 2026 Round 1 is now open and close Friday, March 6.

For more information about the program and applications, please contact Council’s Grants Officer using the details provided at basscoast.vic.gov.au/grants

Empowering rural women leaders

Applications are now open for the Victorian Rural Women’s Network 2025/2026 Leadership and Mentoring Program, helping more women take part in professional development to increase their ability to influence their sector.

The 2026 cohort will receive mentorship and leadership training from highly skilled leaders from both industry and government.

Costs are covered for each participant, including a bursary towards accommodation, childcare, and travel costs in acknowledgement of the financial barriers that prevent many women from participating in leadership programs.

Details: agriculture.vic.gov.au/support-and-resources/networks/rural-womens-network

All-abilities in sport

Eligible sport and recreation organisations are now able to apply for the new Level the Field program which aims to increase support for more people with disability to join the sport and recreation workforce in paid and volunteer roles.

Grant opportunities are offered under two streams:

• The Levelling Up stream provides up to $250,000 for projects that focus on employment pathways and opportunities for people with disability, from engaging in volunteer roles to entering paid employment in sport and active recreation.
• The Long Game stream offers up to $350,000 for projects that focus on system and organisational change.

Partnerships are encouraged to help people with disability take on roles such as coaches, officials, team managers, administrators and committee members across all levels and areas of sport and recreation.

For more information and to apply visit Sports Victoria website.