Festive Fund Grants

Applications now closed

The Nillumbik Festive Fund is designed to support and encourage our community to celebrate the festive season.

Applicants are encouraged to apply for funding to deliver a project, event or activity over the festive season that can be showcased within the Nillumbik Festive Calendar.

Projects, events or activities must support the activation of a public place.

What can be funded

Applicants can receive a maximum of $2,000 in funding to support activities such as:

• Light displays, craft or art to make outdoor areas more attractive to visit
• Musicians or performers in a public space
• Simple low-cost activities for the whole community to get involved
• Activities that inspire local connection and collaboration
• Children’s projects in public spaces such as creative displays or temporary installations
• Gathering in a public space for carolling, cooking demonstrations, festive DIY workshops
• Local walks, picnic trails, scavenger hunts showcasing the festive spirit
• Place activation activities
• Purchase and installation of outdoor Christmas decorations, Christmas trees, signage, banners, and/or decorations that provide sensory experiences.

The options are endless, and we encourage you to get creative, give hope and spread kindness to others in your community.

What won’t be funded

Applications will NOT be considered for:

• Projects that do not occur in a public place for the broader community to benefit from
• Projects, events or activities being held outside the Nillumbik municipal boundary, or that won’t substantially benefit the Nillumbik community
• Projects, events or activities that could be funded through Council’s annual community grant programs, peak bodies or other government funding
• Ongoing operational expenses or core business costs (E.g. salaries, administrative costs, maintenance costs, uniforms, organisational promotional materials, utility bills, etc.)
• Projects that are curriculum based or entirely student, club or congregation focused
• Vouchers or donations
• Competitions with no community component
• Prize money and awards
• Single membership-based or private events that are not open to the public
• Events that are fully ticketed with no free or heavily subsidised component
• Projects or events with a political purpose
• Alcohol or gambling related activities
• Projects that have received full funding from another source
• Retrospective funding for projects which are due to commence prior to the notification of the application outcome
• Applicants that are in debt to or have any outstanding commitments and/or acquittals with Nillumbik Shire Council.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be a not-for-profit incorporated organisation or community group that lives, works, studies, volunteers or plays in Nillumbik, or partnered with (auspiced by) an eligible organisation 
• Local businesses or artists can partner with a community group as long as the project, event or activity demonstrates broad community benefit
• Hold a minimum of $20 million public liability insurance, or if your activity will be held in a Council venue or on Council land, you may be eligible for coverage under Council’s community public liability insurance
• Have acquitted and be compliant with all Nillumbik grants previously awarded by Council
• Deliver the project, event or activities between 25 November 2024 to 8 January 2025
• Spend the funds before 31 January 2025 

Assessment

Applications will be assessed by a panel of relevant Council officers on individual merit and how well they align to the fund themes in addressing the following criteria:

• Creates opportunities for people to connect to place (30%)
• Enhances community spirit, increases social inclusion and community connection (25%)
• Is accessible and inclusive (20%)
• Priority is given to local suppliers and the use of sustainable materials (15%)
• Demonstrates the project, event or activity is well planned and financially viable (10%)

Applicants will be notified of the assessment outcome by mid-September 2024.

Funding conditions

Successful applicants must agree to:

• keep Council informed of any changes to the proposed funded activity
• liaise with Council regarding their promotional material and use of the appropriate Nillumbik Shire Council logo
• obtain all relevant project and event related permits, approvals, and licenses from the relevant authorities prior to commencement
• return the full or remaining amount of grant monies to Council if the funded activity is cancelled or is less than budgeted
• submit an acquittal and evaluation to Council within two months of the funded activity’s completion or by 30 June 2025.

Acquittal and evaluation

This information enables Council to evaluate the achievements of funded activities, monitor the effectiveness of the grant program and ensure that we are meeting the needs of grant recipients and the community.

Recipients who have an outstanding acquittal for a grant, without an approved grant variation in place, may be ineligible for funding in future grant rounds until the outstanding acquittal is received.