Frequently asked questions

Victoria’s Big Build

The $10 million fund seeks to support local initiatives and projects in Melbourne’s northern and eastern suburbs – bringing lasting benefit to the area well before these massive projects are completed in 2028.

The fund will support a range of community initiatives that align with the identified community priorities ranging from programs to increase participation, community art exhibitions, sports club open days, and community centre upgrades.

Funding will be available throughout the construction of North East Link until project completion and the program will prioritise its support to those most impacted by construction. Funding will be awarded so that there is a spread of funding across a range of projects and categories.

The fund is managed by North East Link, part of Major Roads Projects Victoria (MRPV), on behalf of the Victorian Government.

To date, over 100 projects and initiatives have been funded, including accessibility upgrades, play equipment for toy libraries, gardening workshops, community celebration days, cultural camps, upgrades of shared outdoor spaces and scout hall improvements.

Grants of up to $75,000 are available for projects and initiatives that benefit the local community, while partnerships of up to $100,000 are also available.

Read more about some of our fund recipients and the projects they are working on to make a difference to local communities.

Round 1 Grants and Partnerships - Round 1 successful applicants - Victoria’s Big Build

Round 2 Grants and Partnerships - Round 2 successful applicants - Victoria’s Big Build

Applications for the North East Community Fund are now closed.

There will be an opportunity to submit an application once the next round of Grants and Partnerships is launched in 2025.

Applying for the Fund

Applicants must:

be an incorporated not-for-profit organisation or community group or be sponsored by (auspiced) by an incorporated not-for-profit organisation
be located in either the City of Banyule, City of Manningham, City of Boroondara, City of Nillumbik, City of Whitehorse with the initiative or project to take place in a priority suburb
have an Australian Business Number (ABN) and provide an incorporation number
have a current public liability insurance (minimum of $10 million).

Incorporated not-for-profit community organisations may include but are not limited to:

charities
Australian Public Companies, such as companies limited by guarantee and/or limited by shares (non-distribution of profits or dividends)
co-operatives
trusts that are registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)
not-for-profit associations
Registered Australian Bodies
Indigenous corporations
organisations established under an Act of Parliament.

Auspice arrangements for grants are designed to assist not-for-profit community groups who are small or may not yet be incorporated, they cannot be used by for-profit organisations to apply for grants that benefit a commercial business.

The auspice organisation would receive the grant funding and have responsibility for ensuring that the project is completed on time. Evidence of the agreement between the two parties to undertake this auspice arrangement must be submitted with the grant application.

Areas most impacted by construction will be prioritised, including Balwyn North, Box Hill North, Bulleen, Bundoora, Doncaster, Greensborough, Heidelberg, Kew East, Macleod, Mont Albert North, Rosanna, Templestowe Lower, Viewbank, Watsonia, Yallambie.

Applications for the North East Community Fund are now closed. There will be an opportunity to submit an application once the next round of Grants and Partnerships is launched in 2025.

Categories:

Celebrating: Up to $20,000 for festivals, events, and installations that bring local people together. Apply https://neighbourhoodfund.smartygrants.com.au/NECFCelebratingRound3

Connecting: Up to $10,000 for a one-off initiative that aims to improve community connectedness and participation. Apply https://neighbourhoodfund.smartygrants.com.au/NECFConnectingRound3

Transforming: Up to $75,000 for improvements to local community, sporting and recreation facilities and local environments. Apply https://neighbourhoodfund.smartygrants.com.au/NECFTransformingRound3

Partnerships: Up to $100,000 for large-scale partnerships where wide-reaching community benefits or a significant lasting outcome can be demonstrated. Apply https://neighbourhoodfund.smartygrants.com.au/NECFPartnershipsRound3

If you have questions about the North East Community Fund please call 1800 105 105 or email communityfund@northeastlink.vic.gov.au. If you require an interpreter, please call 03 9209 0147.

Please note applications must:

be submitted by an individual with authority to do so on behalf of their group/ organisation

use the North East Community Fund grant application form

be for only one proposed project

be complete as incomplete applications will not be considered.

MRPV reserves the right, in its absolute discretion, to accept or reject any project proposal that is lodged after the closing date and/or not lodged in accordance with the requirements of the North East Community Fund guidelines (this document).

Before you apply, please read the North East Community Fund Guidelines to make sure your project is eligible. A list of information which will be required to complete your application is also on the application checklist page.

A series of free Grant Writing workshops will assist participants to develop and write their grant application. The workshop will focus on specific questions in the application form including the project description, budget, project plan and evaluation.

There are limited spaces, so booking is essential. More information will be available once the next round of Grants and Partnerships is launched in 2025.

The North East Community Fund will only support activities and initiatives conducted within areas listed.

Where an organisation conducts activities across a greater geographical area, funding will only be granted to support activities and initiatives that benefit the specific community members. Applications will need to clearly demonstrate benefit to the communities in the specific Local Government Areas.

As a for-profit organisation, you are not eligible to apply for funding. You may team up with a not-for-profit organisation using a Auspice arrangement.

Projects that have already commenced before the grants are paid are ineligible.

Parents Associations can apply in partnerships with schools; however, the application will need to clearly demonstrate benefit to the broader community, not just the school.

North East Community Fund grants are for community led projects and are categorised into one of the following:

Connecting communities and neighbourhood grants: Up to $10,000 for a one-off initiative that aims to improve community connectedness and participation.

Celebrating communities and neighbourhood grants: Up to $20,000 for festivals, events, and installations that bring local people together.

Transforming communities and neighbourhood grants: Up to $75,000 for improvements to local community, sporting and recreation facilities and local environments

Community Partnerships Program: Up to $100,000 for large scale partnerships where wide reaching community benefits or a significant lasting outcome can be demonstrated.

All provide funding that will contribute toward community projects and initiatives big and small that bring people together and involve them in their community.

For more information on the various types of funding, please read the North East Community Fund Guidelines.

Applications for a North East Community Fund grant or partnership will be assessed by a senior panel convened by Major Road Projects Victoria and any relevant state government departments or councils as required.

An independent probity advisor will oversee the assessment process.

All applications will be assessed on merit using the following program criteria:

Community connectedness and benefit - Demonstrate how initiative will improve community connections by bringing people together and increase the level of participation an individual has within their community. (40% of overall score)

Community impact and need - Demonstrate proximity and construction impacts from North East Link, the M80 Ring Road Completion and/or Eastern Freeway Upgrades, and identify which community priority/s the project addresses. (30% of overall score)

Organisation's capacity - Demonstrate that the organisation has the capacity to deliver the initiative on time and within budget. (30% of overall score)

Yes. Ensuring that eligibility criteria is met, we would welcome future applications to the North East Community Fund for projects and initiatives that did not receive funding in past rounds.

The North East Community Fund team would be happy to provide more detailed feedback on your application. Please contact us on 1800 105 105 or at communityfund@northeastlink.vic.gov.au to arrange a conversation.

What information will be collected regarding the expenditure of the funds?

A project evaluation and final completion report (acquittal report) must be provided at the conclusion of activities, along with copies of all invoices paid as part of the project activities.

How long do I have to use the funds?

Funding must be used within 12 months as outlined in the grant guidelines, or as otherwise agreed between North East Link Program and the grant recipient and captured in the funding agreement.

You cannot apply for a grant without an ABN, Incorporation and public liability insurance. An auspice organisation may be able to assist you.

An auspice organisation is an organisation that manages the grant funding on your behalf.

The auspice organisation is obligated to ensure that the funding is expanded within the requirements of the application and funding agreement.

Evidence of the agreement between the 2 parties to undertake this auspice arrangement must be included with the application, as must all the necessary paperwork to prove insurance, incorporation and ABN status. The auspice organisation receives all the grant payments.

You will need to negotiate your own agreement with an auspice organisation.

Yes, you will need to have an auspice organisation identified prior to submitting an application.

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