Environment Group Support Grants

The 2024/2025 grant period has now closed.

Who can apply?

Environmental groups eligible for funding include Landcare, Friends groups and networks.

• Landcare group: a not-for-profit organisation with a membership with Landcare Victoria, open to all members of the public that conducts activities or promotes sustainable management of private and/or public land.

• Environment Friends group: a group that works to protect and enhance the conservation values of a specific site or area through on-ground works and community education.

• Network: Comprises of three Landcare Networks and the Biolinks Alliance.

Other groups may be entitled to apply for this funding if they can demonstrate that their primary focus is nature conservation at the discretion of Council’s Environment Unit.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible, applicants must meet the below criteria.

• Works must be undertaken within the Macedon Ranges Shire.
• Landcare Support Grants from previous grant funding must be acquitted.
• Groups must have their own current public liability and accident insurance.
• Groups must be incorporated. Groups that are not incorporated are welcome to apply if they are auspiced by another incorporated entity. Note: each incorporated group may submit a maximum of two applications.
• Receipts or other documents for other activities may be requested at the discretion of Council to verify submitted acquittals.
• A copy of the group’s most recent AGM minutes and treasurer’s report must also accompany the grant application.
• The application of herbicides must adhere to the relevant State Government legislation.

The following are ineligible to apply to the Environmental Group Support Grant:

• Individuals.
• Political organisations.
• For profit/commercial organisations.
• Government agencies/organisations.
• Groups that are in debt to Council.
• Groups that have not completed the acquittal and reporting requirements of previous Council grants.
• School/scouting/religious groups.
• Groups auspiced by Council.

Guidelines 2024-25

• Environment Support Grant guidelines(PDF, 413KB)

Hard copies can be provided upon request. 

Child Safe Standards

Macedon Ranges Shire Council is committed to a zero tolerance approach to child abuse, through actively promoting child safety and ensuring compliance with the Victorian Child Safe Standards. All applicants must demonstrate compliance with the Victorian Child Safe Standards and read/understand Council's Child Wellbeing and Safety Policy. Note: If your organisation is being auspiced for the purpose of this grant, the auspicing organisation will also need to meet the Child Safe Standards.

• Guide to the Child Safe Standards(PDF, 6MB)
• Child Safe Standards Direct Contact Checklist(DOCX, 64KB)
• Child Safe Statement of Commitment(DOCX, 59KB)

Smarty Grants

Environment Group Support Grants can be applied for using SmartyGrants. 

SmartyGrants is an online grant management program to help grant recipients and Council record and track all the details around grant transactions. Through this program, you can apply for the grant, track it, and upload acquittal documents.

• SmartyGrants Help guide for applicants
• Smarty File Information

Assessment

Assessment of applications will be based on the scoring matrix of each category. The scoring matrix can be found within the funding categories and assessment criteria in the grant guidelines.

We understand that sometimes things don't go as planned. Call us on (03) 5422 0333 or email environment@mrsc.vic.gov.au if:

• you are encountering unexpected challenges in your project delivery.
• you need to make a variation or seek an extension to the project as planned in your application. You will need to complete a variation/extension request form and this will need to be approved by Council before any changes are undertaken.

Once you have delivered your project, you will need to complete a Project Acquittal Report. You can access the form by logging in here and then clicking the 'My Submissions' link at the top of page. Here you will see your submission number and any associated forms open and waiting for you to complete.

Note: The 'My Submissions' area will store a history of all the submissions and additional forms you complete.

The report includes:

• a summary of the benefits, challenges and learnings of the project; and
• a summary of the grant expenditure and any remaining grant funds (if applicable);
• promotional and marketing activities undertaken, including examples of the recognition of Council's financial support, photo evidence of the project and any media coverage.

Please note: If you have been auspiced for the purposes of your grant, the acquittal report will need to be signed off by the Treasurer of the Auspice and the Treasurer of the Applicant Organisation. If you have any questions regarding this, contact the Environment team.

Acquit now

Category 1 – Landcare Friends Groups and Network Support Funding

Category 2 – Strategic Weed Partnership Program

Category 3 – Biolink Boost Sponsored by Macedon Ranges Community Enterprises Ltd and Community Bank Gisborne & District

Guidelines 2023/24

Environment Support Grant guidelines(DOCX, 2MB)