Place-based Initiatives (Annual) 2025/26

Maribyrnong City Council’s Signature Festivals and Activations Grants Program 2025/2026 provides financial and in-kind support via a  competitive grant round. As an applicant you must meet the Eligibility Criteria and address the Funding Criteria. Proposed activities need to align with strategic objectives of the Council Plan 2021–2025 and the Festivals and Activation Framework 2022–2026. These documents can be found on Council's Festival City website

FUNDING STREAMS

Two funding streams are available as part of this Grants Program:

• Signature Festivals
• Place-based Initiatives (Annual)

Please note: 

• Applicants may only submit one festival/activity per stream.
• Applications to both streams for the same festival/activity will not be accepted.

PLACE-BASED INITIATIVES (Annual) STREAM

Grants are available for place-based activities that creatively activate City of Maribyrnong's public spaces, business precincts and local neighbourhoods.
• Grants of up to $20,000 are available
• Applications are open to not-for-profit incorporated* organisations
• Applications will be accepted until 4pm on Wednesday 11 June 2025
• Applications are assessed by Council's independent Festivals and Visitation Advisory Panel with funding recommendations made to Council for endorsement
• Funded activities must be delivered prior to 30 June 2026

* Unincorporated not-for-profit organisations or groups can apply through an auspice agreement. Refer to page 6 of the Grant Guidelines.

Applicants must meet ALL of the following eligibility criteria:

• The applicant is a not-for-profit incorporated* organisation
• The proposed activity must occur within the boundaries of the City of Maribyrnong
• The proposed activity funding is scheduled to take place prior to 30 June 2026
• The proposed activity is free to attend or includes significant free programming
• The applicant must have acquitted ALL previous Council grants and have no outstanding debts to Maribyrnong City Council
• The applicant (or individuals, organisation or businesses involved in the activity) must NOT have any unresolved compliance matters with Maribyrnong City Council
• The applicant (or Auspice if applicable) must provide evidence of Public Liability Insurance (PLI) to the value of $20 million

*Unincorporated not-for-profit organisations or groups can apply through an auspice agreement (refer to page 6 of the Grant Guidelines)

Applications that are NOT eligible:

• Activities that do not align with Council policies and values
• Multiple applications for the same activity
• More than one application from the same applicant
• Activities that have already received funding from Council in the same financial year. For example, Council will not fund the same, or part of the same activity already funded through its Community Grants Program, Business Improvement District Grants or its Love Your West Grants Program in the same financial year.
• Activities with a primary purpose of promoting religion or politics or are for fundraising purposes
• Activities that have already received funding from Council in the same financial year. For example, Council will not fund the same, or part of the same activity, through its Community Grants Program, Business Improvement District Grants or Love Your West Grants Program in the same funding cycle.
• Activities already funded by Council through operational or Triennial Arts Grant funding.
• Activities which have already started or have been completed