2025 Annual Grant Round

Council supports projects through its grant programs that build community capacity and resilience and which foster vibrant creative communities.

When preparing your application ensure you:- 

• Read the 2025 Annual Grant Guide and Selection Criteria for your stream.

• Check that you meet the eligibility requirements.

• Speak with a relevant Council Officer.

• Allow adequate time to obtain quotes for expenses over $750 and obtain letters of support.

• Ensure you have appropriate type and level of insurance ($10M Public Liability) for this grant application.

• Check you have acquitted all completed projects funded by Yarra Ranges Council.

• Secure an auspice well in advance (for individual/artist or a not-for-profit unincorporated community group).

• Allow two weeks if you are requiring a quote for use of Council's venues and open spaces.

• Use the Grant Templates and Examples to help prepare you application.

• Allow plenty of time to complete this application.

Support: If you have any questions about the Annual Grants Program or the application form please contact the Community Partnerships Officer on 1300 368 333 during business hours. Alternatively you can email grants@yarraranges.vic.gov.au and quote your unique application number. 

SmartyGrants Assistance: If you have a question concerning SmartyGrants their Help Guide for Applicants or Applicant Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) is a good first stop. If you continue to have technical issues, please contact SmartyGrants directly on 9320 6888.

Navigating the application form: 

• You are able to begin anywhere in this application form. Please ensure you save as you go.
• Every page in the application form has a navigation contents box. Click the link to jump directly to the page you want.
• Click Next Page or Previous Page on the top or bottom of each page to move forward or backward through the application.

Saving the draft application:

• To leave a partially completed application, press Save and log out.
• When you log back in and click on the My Submissions link at the top of the screen, you will find a list of any applications you have started or submitted. Reopen your draft application and start where you left off.
• To download any application, whether draft or completed, as a PDF click on the Download button located at the bottom of the last page of the application form.

Submitting your application: 

• A Review and Submit button at the bottom of the Navigation Panel. You need to review your application before you can submit it.
• To submit, click Submit at the top of the screen or on the navigation panel. You will not be able to submit your application until all the compulsory questions are completed.
• Once you have submitted your application, no further editing or uploading of support materials is possible.
• Upon submission, an automated confirmation email along with a copy of your submitted application attached will be sent to the email you used to register in SmartyGrants.

If you do not receive a confirmation of submission email then you should presume that your submission has NOT been submitted!

Attachments and support documents: 

• Attachments can and should be drawn on to support you application. Save documents to your computer or storage device prior to uploading.
• You need to allow enough time for each file to upload before trying to attach another file. Files can be up to 25MB each; however, we do recommend trying to keep files to a maximum of 5MB – the larger the file, the longer the upload time.

Completing the application in a group/team:

• A number of people can work on an application using the same log in details as long as only one person is working at a time. Ensure you save as you go.

Spell check:

• Most internet browsers (including Firefox v2.0 and above; Safari; and Google Chrome) have spell checking facilities built in – you can switch this function on or off by adjusting your browser settings.

You're ready start your application. Good luck!