Community Development Fund

The Community Development Fund grant program reflects Warrnambool City Council’s commitment to supporting a vibrant, inclusive and connected community.

The program assists local not for profit groups and individuals to deliver projects, initiatives and activities that enhance the liveability of the city and strengthen community connection.

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Grant Purpose

The Community Development Fund is to support community led projects that target:

• Improving health and wellbeing outcomes
• Creative projects that strengthen community connection, participation, inclusion and wellbeing
• Reducing barriers for priority groups
• Enhancing accessible and shared community facilities
• Promoting environmentally sustainable practices that contribute to a healthy, active and liveable Warrnambool
• Key Council priorities under the 
  Healthy Warrnambool 2025-2029
  Active Warrnambool Strategy 2025-2035
  Creative Warrnambool Strategy 2025-2029
  Green Warrnambool.

Grant Objective

Whilst the Community Development Fund aims to improve the liveability of the city, priority is placed on community led projects that actively work to:

• Increase and activate participation opportunities with a focus on reducing barriers to support people to move, and support clubs to deliver shared community benefits
• Target initiatives and campaigns that address reducing harm from alcohol, other drugs and gambling, or reducing exposure to advertising of unhealthy food and promoting healthy eating
• Improve mental wellbeing and resilience including initiatives to build confidence in managing mental health, reducing stigma and enhancing help seeking
• Support creative, experimental and community-focused projects that provide opportunities for public involvement and cultural expression
• Improve community infrastructure including open space and recreation assets to enhance gender equitable accessibility and shared public use
• Encourage environmentally sustainable practices through reducing waste, recovering or re-using resources or educating the community on sustainable living practices

Key Program Dates

Grant Categories

Applications that are eligible will fall under one of the following categories, and will be assessed based on the criteria rank, if applicable, within that category.

Only one application per group/individual will be accepted. Late applications will not be accepted.

Sport & Recreation [up to $5,000]

1. Projects or activities that reduce barriers to participation for young people, women and girls, people with disabilities, gender diverse, culturally diverse and/or older adults.
2. Projects that introduce modified formats or versions of sport or physical activity that connects residents and caters to people of all ages, abilities, needs and backgrounds
3. Training and/or development opportunities that improve the governance or culture of the club
4. Purchase of items that contribute to the capacity of a club to deliver programs (must have a participation outcome)

Health & Wellbeing [up to $5,000]

1. Projects that develop initiatives, campaigns or policies that aim to reduce harm from alcohol, other drugs and gambling
2. Projects that aim to improve mental wellbeing via a range of actions such as promoting social inclusion, preventing racism, homophobia and other forms of discrimination. Initiatives to build confidence in managing mental health, reducing stigma and enhancing help seeking
3. Projects that develop initiatives, campaigns or policies that promote healthy eating and reduce exposure to advertising of unhealthy food
4. Projects that develop initiatives, campaigns or policies that aim to improve resilience to climate change and minimise health impacts

Creative Projects [up to $5,000]

1. Projects that create inclusive and welcoming creative opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.
2. Innovative projects that encourage community participation in creative activities
3. Opportunities that expand knowledge, improve skill or introduce new techniques, methods or opportunities for creative expression, or increase the capacity of an organisation.
4. Projects that contribute to the capacity of artists or groups to deliver performances / exhibitions or programs.

Environment & Sustainability [up to $5,000]

1. Environmental or sustainability projects or activities that support our local biodiversity, environmental health or care of public places within the municipality.
2. Renewable energy, water efficiency & sustainability improvements to community buildings and facilities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and/or save water.
3. Activities or programs that support and prepare the club or organisation for climate change adaption, such as carbon, emissions, circular economy education or resilience activities.
4. Development and delivery of activities or programs that support a closed loop or circular economy and/or seek to conserve, avoid, reduce, re-use or recycle waste and resources.
5. Projects that undertake revegetation, including maintenance and infill planting of previous revegetation sites and/or weed control or pest animal activities.
6. Projects and programs that save water and protect waterways, coastal areas and the marine environment.

Minor Capital Works [up to $10,000]

Minor capital works grants are to contribute towards community-led projects that encourage groups to undertake works to improve their community facilities, noting that a matching contribution (cash or in-kind) is required towards the total project cost. An in-kind contributions template is to be completed as part of applicant submission.

Total project cost for Minor Capital Works projects cannot exceed $50,000. 

Applicants considering applying for Minor Capital Works funding must discuss their application with a Council Officer prior to commencing an application to ensure eligibility and potential building related permit and/or approval requirements.

1. Building improvements or renovations
2. Renewal of fitted or fixed equipment for community use 
3. Renewal of open space and outdoor recreation assets

Program Guidelines

The Community Development Fund is a competitive process, and funds are awarded based on merit according to the weighted criteria. 

Council provides funding for the term specified in the Funding Terms and Conditions.

Council will only support one application per group/individual per financial year. This means that you cannot apply to this grant program and to the Festivals and Events Grant program in the same financial year.

Council reserves the right to withdraw support or ask for funds to be returned if applicants do not comply with Council policy or written agreement entered.

Download the Community Development Fund Guidelines here

Funding Pool

The total funding pool for 2026/27 Round is $142,524. The total fund available is subject to Council’s budget process.

Council typically receives greater demand for project funding than is available through the annual grants budget. If the total pool of funding in each category is not expended, then any remainder is to be redirected to other categories where applications exceed the funding pool.

Canvassing of Councillors is prohibited. This means that you can’t contact a Councillor and ask them to put in a good word or help you get your grant approved.

Help is Available

Download a Sample Budget Here

Download the In kind and Voluntary Support form here

Download Sample CDF Application form here

Council Officers are available if you have any questions or require assistance applying online. 
Applicants are required to contact the relevant Council Officer prior to applying in Smartygrants

Council Officers can be contacted during office hours on 1300 003 280 or (03) 5559 4800.