Applications closing soon for Geelong Community Foundation grants

GEELONG Community Foundation will soon close applications to its main grant round for 2025/2026.

Funding from the grants will be used within the community to support organisational activity, new and existing program delivery, existing projects and capacity building initiatives.

Activities must align with the foundation’s four grant streams of:

• Food and emergency support
• Health, resilience and connection
• Education and employment, and
• Environment and sustainability

Geelong Community Foundation chief executive officer Amy Waters said this grant round would distribute around $1 million in funding.

“They’ll go out to community organisations in Geelong that are delivering projects in our four grant stream areas,” she said.

“The grants really are going to enable those organisations to continue to deliver really meaningful activities including food relief, material aid as well as capacity activities like education and pathways to employment programs that will support our community to continue to thrive.”

Funding must be used for activities within the City of Greater Geelong, Borough of Queenscliffe, Surf Coast Shire and Golden Plains Shire over a period of one to three years.

Last year’s main grant round received 85 applications requesting a total of $3.8 million, with the foundation expecting to see the same high demand this year.

“Unfortunately, we’re not able to support all of those grants, but we will be distributing at least $1 million or so in new grants and a total of $1.6 million in grants for the financial year,” Ms Waters said.

“We’re likely to see a continued focus on mental health and prevention activities, activities that foster connection and belonging, as well as education and employment activities.

“We’re really seeking innovative projects that will respond directly to the challenges that the community is experiencing.”

Applicants must have a Deductible Gift Recipient 1 or tax concession charity status to be eligible in applying for the funding.

Applications will be reviewed by the foundation and the grants committee and will be prioritised based on the need in the community and intended impact.

Grant applications close on February 10. For more information, or to apply, head to geelongfoundation.org