Grants

Local community groups and businesses can now access a wealth of funding opportunities through our free Hepburn Grant Finder Portal. This powerful tool is available exclusively to council members and can be easily accessed through our council website.

Register for a free account

• Visit the Hepburn Grant Finder Website.
• Create your account by clicking on the "Register" button.
• Fill in your details: email address and select whether you are looking for grants for yourself, your clients, or your organisation.
• Confirm agreements and terms of use.
• Select the types of grants you are looking for.

Explore Funding Opportunities

Once your account is set up, you’ll have access to a comprehensive database of grants. Spend some time exploring the tool and tailor your searches to find funding that best suits your needs. 

Access the Grant Guru Mini Grant Finder Guide(PDF, 5MB) to help set up your account and your alert and search preferences. 

Access Grant Guru's Mini Jargon Buster(PDF, 6MB) to help you navigate the complexities of grant funding dialogue. 

Why sign up?

• Stay informed: Receive alerts updates on relevant new or updated grant opportunities.
• Save time: Quickly filter and find relevant grants.
• Maximise funding: Increase your chances of securing essential funding for your initiatives.

Council is thrilled to partner with Grant Guru to support your efforts with this tool and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on your projects.

The Quick Response Grants Program has been designed to support community groups who may have experienced an unforeseen disruption or urgent issue, or to facilitate smaller projects that are significantly less costly than the amount specified in other grants schemes. The Quick Response Grants Program has been designed to allow for faster assessment outcomes and to facilitate adequate and timely responses to community issues. 

Grants that align with the key focus areas in the Council Plan 2025-2029 or benefit priority groups outlined in the Council Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan are strongly encouraged.

Applicants can apply for a grant up to $1,000 once per year. The Quick Response Grants program is currently open on a rolling basis each financial year until the allocated funds have been exhausted. The total available funding for 2025/26 is $18,000.

For more details, refer to the Program Guidelines(PDF, 388KB).

Grant applications must be submitted through the Hepburn Shire Grants Portal on Smartygrants.

View a list of previous recipients.(PDF, 80KB)

Council supports events that align with the Hepburn Shire Events Strategy 2020-2025. Events can be supported by Council through the three levels of events funding framework:

• Signature/Iconic Events
• Regional Events
• Local Community Events

Regional events and Signature/Iconic events are supported directly by Council's Events team via the provision of a Memorandum of Understanding. Event organisers seeking support for regional and signature/iconic events should contact the Events team to discuss their event and its eligibility for Council support. 

Local community events are supported through a competitive grants program. Event organisers wishing to apply for a Local Community Event Support Grant of up to $2,500 should contact the Events team events@hepburn.vic.gov.au or Community Grants Officer grants@hepburn.vic.gov.au in the first instance to discuss their event's eligibility and suitability. We do not recommend completing the online application form until you have discussed your event with us first. Please ensure you have read the Program Guidelines(PDF, 401KB) before contacting us. 

The Hepburn Shire Events Strategy 2020-2025 document outlines criteria, funding limits, and the event funding framework. For more information or to enquire about submitting an application, please contact grants@hepburn.vic.gov.au

Previous recipients(PDF, 77KB)

The Community Grants Program supports community-based projects and initiatives that enhance the social, environmental and economic life of Hepburn Shire. Grants of up to $5,000 are awarded to not-for-profit community groups to implement projects that promote community wellbeing, increase social connection, and build capacity for long-term sustainability.

 Projects that align with the key focus areas in the Council Plan 2025-2029 or benefit priority groups outlined in the Council Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan are strongly encouraged to apply.

All applicants should read the Program Guidelines(PDF, 440KB) to learn more about the program objectives and application process. 

Applications must be submitted through the Hepburn Shire Grants Portal on Smartygrants.

Community Grants Program Key Dates: TBA

Assessment Process: At the conclusion of the Application stage, applications are reviewed to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria. Those not meeting the criteria will be notified and will not progress to assessment. Eligible applications will be assessed by a panel consisting of Council Officers against a weighted Assessment Criteria.

Acquittal and Evaluation: Acquittals are due 12 months after funds are granted.

 View a list of previous recipients.(PDF, 101KB)

Hepburn Shire Council’s Sustainable Hepburn Grants Program supports community-based projects and initiatives that aim to reduce future impacts of climate change and promote or establish circular economy focused programs. 

Council has committed $20,000 to support community driven sustainability initiatives in 2025/26. Funding is available for projects that align with the strategic themes from the Sustainable Hepburn Strategy and can demonstrate a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, through reduced energy consumption, reduced or avoided materials use, reduced or avoided waste to landfill, carbon drawdown or increasing the use of renewable energy in Community facilities across Hepburn Shire.

Read the Program Guidelines(PDF, 490KB) for more information about the program objectives and application process.

Sustainable Hepburn Grants Program Key Dates: TBA

Applications are reviewed to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria. Those not meeting the criteria will be notified and will not progress to assessment. Eligible applications will be assessed by a panel consisting of Council Officers against a weighted Assessment Criteria.

Applications must be submitted through the Hepburn Shire Grants Portal by Smartygrants.

Acquittal and Evaluation: Acquittals are due 12 months after funds are granted.

View a list of previous recipients(PDF, 137KB)

Hepburn Shire Council’s Environmental Group Grants Program (formerly Landcare Grants) supports community groups whose primary function is to enhance and protect the environment of Hepburn Shire. Applicants will need to demonstrate that their group conducts on-ground environmental works or promotes/advocates for the protection and enhancement of ecological health within Hepburn Shire.

Organisations can apply for funding to support their group’s sustainability and effectiveness. If you believe your group and project is eligible, contact our grants team at grants@hepburn.vic.gov.au. For more information, refer to the Program Guidelines(PDF, 982KB).

Environmental Group Grants Program Key Dates: TBA

Applications must be submitted through the Hepburn Shire Grants Portal on Smartygrants.

Acquittal and Evaluation: Acquittals are due 12 months after funds are granted.

View a list of previous recipients(PDF, 93KB).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have a question about applying for a grant from Council? We have listed some of the most FAQs we receive from grant seekers in the community. Refer to this list of Grants FAQs(PDF, 308KB) to see if your question has already been addressed.  

User Guide for Grants Portal 

Hepburn Shire Council uses the Smartygrants platform to administer all grant programs and process applications. Refer to the User Guide(PDF, 5MB) for technical assistance and advice on completing the online forms.

Providing Council with a Tax Invoice

If successful in your grant application, you will be required to submit an invoice for funding which meets these tax invoice requirements(PDF, 218KB). You can make use of this tax invoice template(DOCX, 33KB).

Further Assistance with Grant Writing 

Assistance can be provided to all applicants via the grants team. Email grants@hepburn.vic.gov.au or call (03) 5348 2306 to request assistance.

Neighbourhood Houses throughout the Shire (Daylesford, Creswick, Trentham, and Clunes) can also provide in person assistance for using the Grants Portal and developing applications.

The Foundation for Regional and Rural Renewal (FRRR) has some useful resources for grant seekers. We encourage you to visit their website for further information and assistance.