More than $2.5 million in community grants have been allocated in 2024-25 to support community groups, businesses, sporting groups, individuals and emergency services.
At the 23 September Council Meeting, Council noted that in the latest round of funding, more than $320,000 was allocated to 41 applicants. These included grants as part of the Female Inclusion in Sport Program and ongoing support to Community Based Emergency Services.
In addition, three individual grants, six small grants, nine medium grants, five large grants and one unincorporated group grant were allocated to support programs and events ranging from multicultural celebrations, Christmas celebrations and training for volunteers.
In total, 174 applicants were allocated funding in 2024-25. These include individual, small, medium and large grants that support a range of events and programs, as well as specific program driven grants that support community-based emergency services, seniors clubs and Neighbourhood Houses.
Funding and service agreements are also provided to support large annual community events such as Diwali, Chinese New Year, and the Whittlesea Show, and local support organisations such as Hume Whittlesea Living and Learning Employment Network and Whittlesea Community Connections.
The Community Grant guidelines were also recently updated for 2025-26. Some of the changes include the addition of funding for building projects and capital works (for non-Council owned facilities), changes that support increased access to funding in the sport stream to support people living with a disability and an expansion to the assessment criteria.
Applications are now open.
For more information on the Community Grants Program visit www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/grants
Quotes attributed to community grant recipient, Ali Awan, Chair person, Melbourne Basant Festival
“The City of Whittlesea’s community grant has been vital in helping us bring the Basant Festival to life. Without this support, the event would not be possible. After five successful years in Melbourne, this is our first year hosting it in the City of Whittlesea. The Basant Festival, a celebration of spring filled with music, food, and kite flying, is a wonderful way for families to come together and share culture. We deeply appreciate the Council’s commitment to supporting multicultural events.”
Quotes attributed to community grant recipient, Prem Prakash Mandal Mandir, Epping
"The City of Whittlesea Community Grant has been invaluable in helping us bring the Dusshera festival to life as a truly inclusive community event. It enabled us to create a space where people from diverse backgrounds could come together, celebrate cultural traditions, and strengthen social connections. The support not only helped us showcase the richness of our heritage but also fostered unity, belonging, and pride within the community."
Quotes attributable to City of Whittlesea Mayor, Cr Martin Taylor
“Our successful community grants program is continuing to help support local groups within our community, by providing much needed support to deliver a diverse range of events, programs, and initiatives that not only bring people together, but also provide opportunities to connect and celebrate culture.”
“We look forward to continue to provide support through our Community Grants Program to many more individuals, group, businesses and organisations and helping to continue to strengthen the connections across our municipality.”
Upcoming events proudly supported by the City of Whittlesea Community Grants Program
- MADRA Navratri 2025, Saturday 27 September
- 5th Annual Melbourne Basant Festival, Sunday 28 September 2025
- Dusshera Mela, Saturday 4 October 2025
- Mid-Autumn Mooncake Festival, Saturday 4 October