Community
13 June, 2025
Clubs urged to apply for grants
WARRNAMBOOL City Council has just provided grant funding to 14 local clubs and groups via the Community Development Fund.
But for those organisations who are not on the recipient list, applications are now open for the next round of funding.
Over $61,000 in funding will be shared between 14 groups.
Those include the Warrnambool Camera Club, Find Your Voice Collective, Warrnambool Organ Festival, Warrnambool Symphony Orchestra, Warrnambool Community Garden, Russell Creek Landcare Group, Warrnambool Springers Gymnastics, Men’s Shed Warrnambool, Warrnambool Dog Training School, Breakwater Barbell, City of Warrnambool Rowing Club, Kiwanis Club of Warrnambool, South C Dragons and the Warrnambool Masters Swimming Club.
Grants of up to $5,000 are available for sport, recreation, arts, culture, environment and sustainability programs and equipment.
Following discussions with clubs, a minor capital works category has been added with grants of up to $10,000 to improve community facilities.
Minor capital works grants require a matching contribution from the applicant.
Warrnambool mayor Cr Ben Blain said council was pleased to be able to support a total of 36 groups via the Community Development Fund in the past financial year (22 in round one and 14 in round two).
“The Community Development Fund is usually open each year for applications in June, however surplus funds from the 2024/2025 program led to the creation of a second round of applications in the same financial year,” he said.
“There are still some unallocated funds, which means our funding pool for the next round is $143,902.
“The criteria is deliberately quite broad, so I’d strongly encourage every local club, group and organisation to look at the criteria and apply for funding.
“For example, Springers Gymnastics will use its grant for a flooring upgrade, Warrnambool Barbell will purchase new training equipment and the Find Your Voice Collective will run a studio arts program.”
Cr Blain said that he was looking forward to seeing more applications come in to council soon.
“It’s a unique position to announce the recipients of a grant and then have the next round open straight away,” he said.
“So if you’ve seen the successful applicants and wish your club had put in a submission, you don’t need to wait, now is your chance.”
Operating since 1999, council’s Community Development Fund aims to support the development and capacity of Warrnambool clubs and associations.
Funding is available for projects, equipment and activities which meet the grant program eligibility and criteria and contribute to participation, club capacity and sustainability, and the liveability of the city.
Applications are now open and close on June 29.
For more information visit www.warrnambool.vic.gov.au/community-development-fund.
