Your say on Community Grants

Bass Coast Shire Council is calling for feedback on its Community Grants Program.

The grants program helps local not-for-profit community groups, organisations and volunteers to fund projects, activities and initiatives that benefit our community.

From equipment to festivals, climate action projects to hall upgrades, these grants make local ideas happen.

Each year, Bass Coast communities bring people together through projects, activities and events that strengthen local connections and improve community wellbeing.

In 2025, the program saw 92 community groups receive a total of $294,000 in funding, including $40,000 dedicated to community-led climate action initiatives.

Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Brett Tessari said the review was an opportunity to ensure the program continues supporting the needs of local communities.

"Community grants are all about helping great local ideas get off the ground.

Every year we see clubs, volunteers and community groups doing amazing things for Bass Coast, and we want to make sure the grants program is helping them succeed," Cr Tessari said.

"If you've ever thought 'that's too hard', 'that's not for us', ' 'that's not what we need' or 'where do I even start? we'd like to know.

The goal is to make sure we're supporting the people, projects and initiatives that make Bass Coast even better."

Council currently offers funding through Quick Response Grants, Community Grants, Climate Action Grants and Major Project Funding, supporting everything from small community projects to larger infrastructure and community initiatives.

Community members can provide feedback online via the survey or attend one of several upcoming engagement sessions.

Importantly, you don't need to have applied for a grant to participate.

A short survey is on the council's Engage website, to gather feedback from the community on what works, what doesn't and what community funding should look like in the future.

The survey is open until 11.59pm on October 4 and takes between five and 20 minutes to complete.

Council is encouraging people to take part and to leave comments.

"Your comments in your own words are genuinely some of the most valuable input we get, so please take the time to add them where you can," the Engage website stated.

"Your feedback will directly shape what a better community grants program looks like."

Upcoming engagement sessions

Community Pop-up Session - Kilcunda Community Centre
Wednesday September 23, 5pm - 6.30pm.

Online Ideas Session
Wednesday September 30, 7pm - 8.30pm.

Community Pop-up Session - Phillip Island Visitor Information Centre, Newhaven
Thursday October 1, 5pm - 6.30pm.

Feedback is open until Sunday October 4.
engage.basscoast.vic.gov.au/community-grants-program-review

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