Local Anti-Racism Initiatives grant program

• Will there be future grant rounds?

This is a one-off program to be delivered across 2026-27.

• Can we apply for less than $40,000?

Yes. You can apply for any amount of funding up to $40,000 (GST exclusive).

• How long do we have to complete our project?

Organisations have until 31 December 2027 to complete their project activities.

• If we are applying as a partnership, can we request more than $40,000?

Partnerships are still subject to a maximum request of $40,000 (GST exclusive) per application.

• We have an overdue report for another project, what do we do?

If you have an overdue report for another Victorian Government grant, please contact the responsible team for assistance. Your key contact person should be listed on the funding agreement for that grant program.

For guidance, please email: antiracism.strategy@dpc.vic.gov.au.

• How do we check our Australian Business Number (ABN)?

To check your ABN, visit the Australian Business Register (ABR).

• What if we don’t have an ABN?

If your organisation does not have an ABN, you may consider partnering with another organisation that meets the program eligibility criteria and will accept legal responsibility for the grant. This is known as an auspice arrangement. Find out more about auspice arrangements in the Program Guidelines.

• Can we apply with a partner organisation?

You may partner with another organisation to deliver your activities. Find out more about partnership requirements in the Program Guidelines.

• Our organisation is outside of Victoria but is near the border and services many Victorians. Are we eligible to apply?

Your organisation may be eligible if you are an incorporated entity registered with an appropriate state regulator and can demonstrate your project is for the benefit of Victorians.

• Our organisation is a national organisation but regularly works with Victorians. Are we eligible to apply?

Your organisation may be eligible if you regularly operate in Victoria and have a demonstrated history of working with Victorian communities.

• Our organisation is based in another state but working with a Victorian partner. Are we eligible to apply?

This program is only for organisations that work with and benefit the Victorian community. If an organisation based in another state has an established relationship with a Victorian community organisation, they could be eligible to participate as part of a partnership model - with the Victorian community organisation being the lead applicant.

Find out more about partnership applications and organisation eligibility in the Program Guidelines.

• Are universities eligible to apply?

Universities are not eligible to apply for grants through this program.

If a university has an established relationship with a local community organisation, they are eligible to participate as part of a partnership model - with the community organisation being the lead applicant.

If the applicant is a university foundation or centre with a separate ABN, they would be eligible, provided they can demonstrate not-for-profit status and incorporation.

• Are local government authorities eligible to apply?

Local government authorities (including Shire, City and Borough Councils) are not eligible to apply for grants through this program.

If a local government authority has an established relationship with a local community organisation, they are eligible to participate as part of a partnership model - with the community organisation being the lead applicant.

• Are community health services eligible to apply?

It would depend on the nature of the community health service.

Community health services that are incorporated and not-for-profit would be eligible under the guidelines. However, if the community health service is a state government entity they would not be eligible.

Community health services would still have to prove their primary purpose of supporting First Peoples or multicultural and multifaith communities.

Otherwise, if the community health service has an established relationship with a local community organisation, they are eligible to participate as part of a partnership model - with the community organisation being the lead applicant.

• Are arts organisations eligible to apply?

It would depend on the nature of the arts organisation.

Arts organisations that are incorporated and not-for-profit would be eligible under the guidelines. However, if the arts organisation is a state government entity they would not be eligible.

Arts organisations would still have to prove their primary purpose of supporting First Peoples or multicultural and multifaith communities.

Otherwise, if the arts organisation has an established relationship with a local community organisation, they are eligible to participate as part of a partnership model - with the community organisation being the lead applicant.

• Is a program that was previously a pilot program eligible?

Funding is not retrospective. Applications must be for projects that are yet to start.

However, if your pilot was successful and there is additional community need, organisations can apply for funding to deliver a project that expands on the previous pilot program.

Applications should provide an overview of the points of difference with the pilot and include all appropriate supporting documentation

• Are we eligible if our intention for the grant is to prevent a project from ceasing rather than starting a new project?

No. This application would not be eligible. As above, applications must be for projects that are yet to start.

• Do we need to apply online?

Yes. The Grants Gateway is the required method of applying. If you have accessibility concerns or questions about how to use Grants Gateway, please contact the program team at antiracism.strategy@dpc.vic.gov.au well before the application closing date.

• Is there a template for describing our project and evaluation plans?

There is no required template at this stage of the process.

This information will be requested when completing the online application form. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with the grant assessment criteria and use this as a guide when providing these details.

• Can we attach additional supporting documents?

All required information for assessment of your application must be entered into the online application form. This includes attaching documented proof of your current liability insurance, your status as a not-for-profit organisation and your eligibility as a First Peoples-led or community-controlled organisation, or a multicultural or multifaith community organisation.

We also ask organisations to provide letters of support from partnership and auspice organisations.

You may attach additional supporting documents; however, these will not be factored into the assessment of your application.

• If we begin our application online but can’t finish, can we leave Grants Gateway and return at another time to complete the application?

Yes. In the top right corner of the application form, click the button ‘Save & return later’. Be sure to go back and complete and submit your application before the closing date.

• What happens if we can’t submit our application on time?

The closing date and time for the grants is midday (12:00pm), Thursday 27 August 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Technical difficulties always seem to occur at the worst possible moment. We recommend that you plan ahead and aim to submit your application well ahead of the closing time.

If you feel you may have an exceptional circumstance, please contact the program team before the closing time at antiracism.strategy@dpc.vic.gov.au

• Can I make changes to my application once submitted?

No. You will not be able to make any further changes once the application has been submitted through the online grants portal.

• Can we submit more than one application?

The department will only assess one application per organisation.

It is recommended that organisations focus attention on developing a quality application for the project that would have most impact in their community. If more than one application is submitted by the same organisation, the department will only progress the proposal that it considers as the best fit for the program objectives.

• Can we be involved in more than one project as part of the grants program?

Yes. Each organisation can only submit one application; however, you can also be an auspice or partner in another application.

Before committing to multiple projects, we ask organisations to consider the impact this could have on their capacity to deliver project activities.

• Who will assess our application?

Eligible applications will be assessed by a panel of representatives from the Department of Premier and Cabinet including the Multicultural Affairs portfolio and First Peoples – State Relations.

Find out more about application assessments in the Program Guidelines.

• How does GST work?

All budgets should be provided excluding GST. If successful, grant payments will have GST added where your organisation is registered for GST.

• Should we include other in-kind contributions?

Where applicable, any in-kind funding or support that will be provided by the applicant or other sources should be outlined in the budget section of the online application. The online application form will allow you to identify which project costs would be covered by the funding sought or through other funding sources.

• How will we be notified?

All organisations will be notified of the outcome of their application via the email address they have supplied as part of their application. It is important to ensure that a correct and current email address is provided.

• Will we get the full amount applied for?

During the assessment process, the department will review project budgets and may recommend a lower amount based on a number of factors including analysis of the proposed activities, deliverables and project budgets, and fair distribution of projects across program streams.

• What reporting will we need to do?

If successful, funded organisations will be required to provide reports on the status of their projects, and a final report and financial acquittal.

• When will funds be paid?

If successful, an initial payment will be made following the execution of the Victorian Common Funding Agreement. Other payments will be tied to key project milestones, such as the submission of progress reports.