Quick Response Grants Program 2025/2026

Hepburn Shire Council is committed to supporting community groups and organisations to remain agile and responsive to issues that arise in the local community. The Quick Response Grant 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 available in other grants schemes.

Quick Response Grants have faster assessment outcomes to facilitate adequate and timely responses to community issues.

This program ensures that Council can continue to support community groups and respond to issues as they develop.

Please read the Quick Response Grant Guidelines before starting an application.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The first section of this application form is designed to help you, and us, understand if you're eligible for this grant. It's crucial that you complete these questions before any others to ensure you do not waste your time applying for an unsuitable grant.

If you have any questions regarding the eligibility criteria, contact:

Grants Officer

Phone: (03) 5348 2306

Email: grants@hepburn.vic.gov.au

To be eligible for assessment for this grant, you must:

• Read and understand the program guidelines.
• Be an organisation that is a legal entity with an Australian Business Number (ABN) and hold not-for-profit status* (as a legally incorporated body, co-op, or trust) or be auspiced** by a suitable entity.
• Have all permits, permissions, and necessary approvals for the project***.
• Have, or demonstrate an ability to obtain, Public Liability insurance cover for a minimum of $20 million AUD.
• Deliver the funded project within six months of signing the funding agreement.
• Deliver the funded project within the boundaries of Hepburn Shire to the benefit its residents.
• Not have an outstanding debt to Council and have completed all previous Hepburn Shire grant/funding acquittals.

* Your organisation meets the requirements of being a not-for-profit by having specific statements in its governing rules (the not-for-profit and / or dissolution clause).

** An auspicing agent is a legally incorporated organisation with an ABN that manages the legal and financial responsibilities of your entity. A letter signed by two committee members from the auspice agent confirming they will auspice the application must be provided when the grant application is submitted. Auspicing agents retaining a fee for this service will not be considered.

*** If the project is to undertake works on Council owned / managed land or property, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning land or property, or Parks Victoria land or property, you must provide written approval from the relevant land manager.