Make it Happen Grants

Click here for a list of funded 2025 Make it Happen applications(PDF, 196KB)

Click here for a list of funded 2024 Make it Happen applications(PDF, 154KB)

Altona Meadows Community Association - Monster Mayhem in the Meadows

A community event in Altona Meadows which offered a fun opportunity to showcase local talent and vendors, while families enjoyed rides, connected and engaged with interactive Halloween-themed displays.

Find out more about Altona Meadows Community Association

Picture: Supplied by Altona Meadows Community Association

Image description: Family event held in Altona Meadows ‘Monster Mayhem in the Meadows’

Altona Woodworks Club

Funding supported the purchase of equipment for the club.

Altona Woodworkers Club operates from Bayside Secondary College in Altona North, providing a welcoming space for everyone with an interest in woodworking from absolute beginner to very experienced.

Find out more about the Altona Woodworkers Club

Picture: Supplied by Altona Woodworkers Club

Image description: Equipment funded by Toyota Australia through HBCC Make it Happen Grants

Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek

Funding supported the purchase of equipment for a water trailer, assisting the group in maintaining and watering trees and shrubs along Kororoit Creek, contributing to local environmental restoration and biodiversity.

Find out more about Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek

Picture: Supplied by Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek

Image description: Equipment funded by Toyota Australia through HBCC Make it Happen Grants

Hobsons Bay Men’s Shed – Car and Bike Show

The Car and Bike Show brought together like-minded enthusiasts to showcase their classic, custom, vintage, and veteran vehicles for the people of Altona and surrounding areas. The event aims to attract motoring enthusiasts from across Victoria and draw visitors from near and far to the Hobsons Bay area.

Find out more about Hobsons Bay Men’s Shed

Picture: Supplied by Hobsons Bay Men’s Shed

Image description: Hobsons Bay Men’s Shed Car & Bike show

Hobsons Bay Trailblazers - Naturally Connected Laverton

Forest Therapy was introduced to community members in Laverton through a series of four guided walks, offering participants the opportunity to relax, unwind, and deepen their connection with nature in a calm and supportive setting.

Picture: Supplied by Hobsons Bay Trailblazers

Image description: Naturally Connected Laverton project

Laverton Bowling club – Melbourne Cornhole West Club

Funding supported the purchase of equipment to run a weekly Melbourne West Cornhole Club night at the Laverton Bowls Club, providing an opportunity for local people to gather in an open, welcoming, and friendly atmosphere that fosters socialisation and connection.

Find out more about the Laverton Bowls club

Find out more about the Melbourne West Cornhole club

Picture: Supplied by Laverton Bowling club

Image description: Equipment funded by Toyota Australia through HBCC Make it Happen Grants

Newport Fiddle and Folk Club – Carols on the Green in Newport

The community event at Paine Reserve Newport offered families and the local community a chance to come together. It featured performances by local musicians and highlighted the Newport Fiddle and Folk Club’s dedication to building community through music.

Find out more about the Newport Fiddle and Folk Club.

Picture: Supplied by Newport Fiddle & Folk Club

Image description: Newport Fiddle and Folk Club musicians playing at Pain Reserve, Newport Carols on the green event

ParKanDo – Rock Steady Boxing

A pilot Rock Steady Boxing program was introduced for people impacted by Parkinson’s. The program supported participants in enhancing their health and overall wellbeing, while fostering social connections in a safe and inclusive environment.

Find out more about ParKanDo

Picture: Supplied by ParKanDo

Image description: Rock steady boxing project

Rotary Club of Altona - Hobsons Bay Millennium Time Capsule

A project that opened the Millennium Time Capsule buried 25 years ago at the pinnacle of Truganina Park, and returned messages to their contributors. The project strengthened community ties and encouraged a sense of belonging to the city's history.

Find out more about Altona Rotary Club Millennium Time Capsule

Picture: Supplied by Rotary Club of Altona

Image description: Hobsons Bay Millennium Time Capsule project

West Welcome Wagon – Hobsons Bay Community Reach Out Days

Community Reach Out Days were held to support refugees, asylum seekers, and individuals facing extreme hardship. These events offered a welcoming environment at local centres where attendees could come together, connect with others, and access essential items. With the support of trained volunteers, families were able to choose from a wide selection of new and high-quality donated clothing, shoes, accessories, and toiletries—tailored to their specific needs.

Find out more about West Welcome Wagon

Picture: Supplied by West Welcome Wagon

Image description: Hobsons Bay Community Reach Out Days project

Williamstown Italian Social Club – Hobsons Bay Italia Festa

An all-inclusive and accessible community celebration of Italian culture, heritage, and the rich history of Italian immigration to Melbourne’s western suburbs. It brought together families and the local community to experience live Italian cooking, enjoy homemade dishes, toss a bocce ball, listen to traditional music, sample classic Italian desserts, and join in traditional dances.

Find out more about Williamstown Italian Social Club

Picture: Supplied by Williamstown Italian Social Club

Image description: Hobsons Bay Italia Festa event

Willin Wimmin Choir – Hobsons Bay Community Jam

A participatory afternoon of community singing celebrating the joy of singing in community choirs, hosted by the community choirs of Hobsons Bay. The event offered an inclusive and welcoming space to share songs, strengthen local connections, welcome new members, and showcase the vibrant choir culture within the Hobsons Bay community.

Find out more about Willin Wimmin

Picture: Supplied by Willin Wimmin Choir

Image description: Hobsons Bay Community Jam project at Laverton Community Hub

All applicants are encouraged to discuss their applications with a Council staff member.

It is a requirement for applications above $5,000 to be in contact with a Council staff member relevant to their application prior to their submission.

For further information or to discuss an idea or opportunity, you can make direct contact with a Council officer from your content area (refer to FAQ 3 for a listing of contact officers for grant proposal themes). You can also contact Council’s Community Grants Officer on 9932 1235 or email grants@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au who can connect you with people in the relevant content area.

If you require an Interpreter Services, you can use Language Line: 9932 1212

If you are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment, you can use the National Relay Service: 133 677

Hobsons Bay City Council is aware some people with a disability may require additional support in applying for a grant. Please contact the Community Grants Officer if you require assistance.

Applicants will need to consider the aims of the program when developing a proposal.

Aims

Make it Happen grants aim to:

• promote physical and mental health, wellbeing and connection
• build group/club resilience, capacity and skill development
• facilitate social inclusion and participation from diverse populations
• contribute to the development and strengthening of local communities
• support and enhance positive environmental and sustainability outcomes
• support event and festival opportunities for celebration, expression, active participation and/or visitor, tourism and economic benefits that help build the profile of our city

Council prioritises proposals that support social inclusion and focus on diverse and priority populations.  These include children (0-11 years), young people (12-25 years), older people (60 years and over), people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, women and girls, people with a disability and carers, LGBTIQA+ and gender diverse communities and people in low income households.

Information sheets listing priorities and proposal examples are available on the theme or content of your proposal. Refer to FAQ 3.

Further documents for reference include the Hobsons Bay 2030 Community Vision and Council’s Annual Plan.

Successful applications will focus on meeting needs that can’t be met by other levels of government, other grant programs or a group’s normal operational capacity.

Information sheets are available in the following topics:

Ageing well (60 years plus)(PDF, 167KB)

Arts, culture and heritage(PDF, 164KB)

Children and families(PDF, 165KB)

Environment and sustainability(PDF, 178KB)

Equipment and resources(PDF, 209KB)

Equipment and resources - Information technology in your grant and IT equipment(PDF, 164KB)

Events and festivals - Local events and festivals(PDF, 225KB)

Events and festivals - Major events and festivals(PDF, 212KB)

Neighbourhood resilience and strength(PDF, 157KB)

Parks and friends environment groups(PDF, 163KB)

People with a disability and their carers(PDF, 159KB)

Social inclusion and participation(PDF, 161KB)

Sport and recreation(PDF, 150KB)

Volunteering(PDF, 168KB)

Young people (12 to 25 years)(PDF, 174KB)

As part of the program, Council offers assistance and advice on how to prepare applications. Applicants are encouraged to take up this offer.

The following sessions and workshops will be held:

Grant information sessions: Short snapshot of the Grants Program, eligibility, application, assessment (Cathy Miles, Community Grants Officer)

Grant writing workshops: Learn how to get the most out of your grant application and have a greater chance of success. This fun and hands-on workshop will focus on transforming your ‘ideas’ into fundable concepts and will walk you step by step through the grant writing process.  (Debby Maziarz, Grant Writer)

February:

• Grant information session: Monday 16 February, via Zoom 12pm to 12.30pm

Click here to register for this session:  https://forms.office.com/r/pCR61pDTsE

• Grant information session and Grant writing workshop: Tuesday 24 February, via Zoom 6pm to 8.30pm
  • Information session 6pm-6.30pm
  • Grant writing workshop 6.30pm-8.30pm

Click here to register for this session: https://forms.office.com/r/FLbvCKqpWV

March:

• Grant information session: Thursday 5 March, via Zoom 12pm to 12.30pm

  Click here to register for this session:  https://forms.office.com/r/WsLLTgpkY9

• Grant information session and Grant writing workshop: Wednesday 11 March, via Zoom 6pm-8.30pm

• Information session 6pm-6.30pm
• Grant writing workshop 6.30pm to 8.30pm

Click here to register for this session: https://forms.office.com/r/MLnNm600CT

 If you require support in attending these sessions, please contact the Community Grants Officer.

For further information or to discuss an idea or opportunity, you can make direct contact with a Council officer from your content area (refer to FAQ 3 for a listing of contact officers for grant proposal themes). You can also contact Council’s Community Grants Officer on 9932 1235 or email grants@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au who can connect you with people in the relevant content area.

Information sheets listing Council contacts, priorities and proposal examples are available on the theme or content of your proposal. Refer to FAQ 3.

Other resources to assist when writing an application:

The Funding Centre – sample answers for grant applications: https://explore.fundingcentre.com.au/help-sheets/answersbank

The Funding Centre – grant writing tips: www.fundingcentre.com.au/help/writing-grant

Budget example-click here to view a budget example for the application form

Application dates:

Monday 2 February to Monday 30 March, 1pm 2026

Notification of decision:

June 2026

Applications are made online through SmartyGrants from Monday 2 February 2026.

Projects and events/festivals are due to be completed by December 2027.

Applicants can apply for:

All applicants are encouraged to discuss their applications with a Council staff member.

It is a requirement for applications above $5,000 to be in contact with a Council staff member prior to their submission.

For further information or to discuss an idea or opportunity, you can make direct contact with a Council officer from your content area (refer to FAQ 3 for a listing of contact officers for grant proposal themes). You can also contact Council’s Community Grants Officer on 9932 1235 or email grants@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au who can connect you with people in the relevant content area.

Toyota has provided $30,000 sponsorship for an equipment and resources grant (up to $1,500 per application). Capital requests are not eligible.

Email grants@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au 

Eligible to apply are: 

• non-profit or not for profit incorporated clubs, groups and organisations
• community centres, neighbourhood houses and schools
• professional producers are eligible to apply for events and festivals, if the activity proposed provides demonstrated benefits to the City of Hobsons Bay, with significant community and cultural value and/or visitation and economic benefits
• Artists can apply under an auspice, noting the application must be for a community project that takes place in Hobsons Bay and must demonstrate a local need, community consultation/engagement and impact
• applicants can be based in Hobsons Bay or outside Hobsons Bay, however the application must be for resources and activities that take place in Hobsons Bay and must demonstrate local need, community consultation/engagement and impact
• community activities require the majority of participants to come from Hobsons Bay. Event and festival applications may encourage local as well as tourist and visitor experiences
• equipment requests where the equipment is located at a venue in Hobsons Bay and remains the asset of the incorporated not for profit group

Depending on the priorities and applications received, applicants based in Hobsons Bay may be prioritised.

Not eligible to be funded:

• organisations that have previously received a grant from Council and have not provided a satisfactory Acquittal Report by the project due date
• organisations that owe money to Council
• Williamstown Town Hall venue hire already subsidised through community rates, please discuss with the events team
• proposals which are deemed as core curriculum activities of educational institutions (schools and kindergartens) and are totally education focused and within the school/kindergarten core hours, including incursions.
• proposals for ongoing salaries, capital works, maintenance, vehicles, trophies, fundraising, school/early years fetes and/or celebrations, anniversary and annual celebrations, fairs, markets, donations, prizes, sponsorship, scholarships, operational and administration costs
• proposals for sponsorship where the funds are directly redistributed to a third party or person
• proposals that would require ongoing financial support from Council
• costs for room or venue hire that are part of the applicant’s usual workplace or existing facilities. Funding only covers hire of spaces that are additional to the applicant’s regular work environment and necessary for the delivery of the funded project.
• proposals that have been or could be funded from other sources (e.g. fees, sponsorship, service agreements, etc.) or other levels of government
• equipment and resources (including materials and supplies) requests over $1,500
• equipment that is for an individual
• equipment that is not stored, located and/or used within Hobsons Bay
• fees for grant writers
• other ineligible items listed in the information sheets at FAQ 3
• As per Council’s Gambling Harm Prevention Policy Statement, the following organisations and applications are ineligible to apply for a Make it Happen Grant:  
• • organisations that promote or derive income from gambling (Commitment 4.1)  
  • applications that promote gambling or are held in gaming venues (Commitment 4.2)  
  • organisations or applications that receive sponsorship from gaming venues, online gambling or other gambling providers (Commitment 4.3)

Groups with an active grant(s) or in receipt of Council support can apply for a new project

Groups or organisations who are in receipt of funding or other support from Council and groups with active grants are able to make an application for a new project however, if Council has received other applications that have similar benefits, new applicants may have a higher chance of success.

Auspice

Groups that are not incorporated must have an auspice agent that meets the above eligibility. Contact the Community Grants Officer at grants@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au or call 9932 1235 to discuss auspicing options or talk through other ways to activate your project.  

An auspice (or auspicing organisation) is an incorporated body that manages grant funds on behalf of an individual artist or unincorporated group. The auspice is responsible for receiving and administering the funds, ensuring all reporting and legal requirements are met.

If your project is being managed under an auspice arrangement, you may include an auspice (administration) fee in your project budget. This fee is paid to the auspicing organisation to cover the costs of managing the grant funds, providing financial reporting, and ensuring compliance with funding requirements. Applicants should discuss the fee with their auspicing organisation before submitting their application and clearly show the amount in the project budget.

Auspicious Arts supports individual artists and the auspice fee is calculated at 5% of the total project expenditure budget.

Council staff will be able to review your application against the eligibility criteria and if it is eligible will then be assessed.

Applications will be assessed against the criteria below:

Delivery and capacity – 30 per cent

Is the proposal achievable?

How well the proposal has been planned and designed and stages are clearly outlined.

How well the applicant demonstrates an ability to deliver the project (including whether they have or demonstrate how they will engage and pay for professional skills). 

Is the budget clear and realistic and have quotes been provided (where applicable)?

Value and benefit – 40 per cent

How well a need is identified through evidence and/or connections/partnerships with the local community.

How well the proposal provides benefit and value to the community.

How well the proposal identifies achievable outcomes consistent with grants program aims and sector information sheets priorities.

How well the proposal consults and engages the community.

Proposed participation numbers and marketing/engagement methods.

How well the proposal fosters and supports partnership opportunities. 

Purpose/priorities – 30 per cent

How well the proposal responds to the grants program aims.

How well the proposal responds to the sector information sheet priorities.

How well the proposal supports diverse and priority populations.

Council will endeavour to ensure the distribution of grant funds is fair and equitable. When making decisions, Council’s review panel will consider dispersion and diversity of proposals across Hobsons Bay. Depending on the priorities and applications received, applicants based in Hobsons Bay may be prioritised.

Projects and events that meet grant requirements and have not previously been funded through the grants program may be considered more favourably than projects that have been funded in previous years.

Equipment and/or resources grant applicants will be given priority if they meet the grant requirements and have not received funds in this grant category in the past two years. All equipment and/or resources must be located at a venue within Hobsons Bay and remain the property of the group or club and must be used by/for Hobsons Bay residents.

All events, projects and initiatives need to operate within Hobsons Bay.

Applicants are encouraged to seek other sources of funding.

To seek other funding opportunities, register with the Hobsons Bay Grant Finder

Organisations located outside of Hobsons Bay will need to demonstrate a clear connection with the local community and/or clubs and groups.

Resources to assist when writing an application:

The Funding Centre – sample answers for grant applications: Funding Centre | Answers Bank - sample answers for grant applications

The Funding Centre – grant writing tips:  www.fundingcentre.com.au/help/writing-grant

Budget example: click here to view a budget example for the application form

Funding Centre Grant Help sheets – grants support help sheets: https://www.fundingcentre.com.au/grant/help

Hobsons Bay Libraries – several publications are available that may assist with grant seeking and writing, e.g. Winning Grants Funding in Australia: http://libraries.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

Our Community - Australia's Centre for Excellence for the nation's 600,000 not-for-profits & schools, providing advice, tools and resources: http://ourcommunity.com.au

Other Funding opportunities

Hobsons Bay Grant Finder - grant finding service for businesses, community groups and not for profits: grantguru.com/au/hobsonsbay

The Funding Centre – grants and fundraising hub (membership fee applies): http://www.fundingcentre.com.au/

Bendigo Bank: https://www.bendigobank.com.au/branch/vic/altona-community-bank-branch/

Hobsons Bay Community Fund: https://www.hbcommunityfund.org.au

Philanthropy How to guide - Effective Grant-Seeking: www.philanthropy.org.au/seek-funding/how-to-seek-funding

Other Funding sources: click here for a list of other grant websites

Australian Sports Foundation: Fundraising Toolkit