Men’s Shed Funding Program

To be eligible to apply for funding through the Men’s Shed Funding Program applicants must:  

• be an eligible organisation
• have no outstanding reports from previous Men’s Shed Funding Program grants 
• be seeking funding for an eligible purpose
• be incorporated, or be auspiced by an incorporated organisation for the purposes of this application
• have evidence of being able to contribute to the project on a 2:1 basis
• be located in Victoria
• be able to demonstrate a significant community need for the project
• not have already received $30,000 or more through the Victorian Government's Men's Shed Funding Program in the past three years
• not include more than 10 per cent of the total project cost in project management and administration costs.

If seeking $10,000 or over, the group must have:  

• security of tenure in the form of a lease or licence of five years or more, or land ownership
• if auspiced, a memorandum of understanding (or equivalent) must be in place, outlining the agreed nature of the auspice arrangement
• a strategic plan in place that plans activities using the new or refurbished facility
• a demonstrated need for the project in the community, established through community consultation, which is proportional to the grant amount requested
• detailed design plans and an understanding of building permit and planning requirements, including overlays 

To be eligible to apply for a grant, applicants must:

• have a valid Australian Business Number (ABN). To check your ABN, visit Australian Business register

and

• be an organisation incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012, Corporations Act 2001(Cth) or equivalent state legislation, or
• be a company incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 and registered as not-for-profit through the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), or
• a government entity.

Who cannot apply for a grant?

The following are not eligible to apply:

• organisations that operate for profit
• individual community members.

All applications will be assessed against the eligibility criteria. 

Applications deemed to be eligible will then proceed to merit assessment.

Merit assessment

The applications are scored, against the following merit criteria:

1. The priority of the Men’s Shed Funding Program is to facilitate the provision of workshop style environments for men, that enable self-directed activities in the company of other men. This results in social connection in men who might otherwise be at risk of social isolation. How does your organisation and project align with this model?
2. How many shed participants will directly benefit from the project? (Do not include indirect community benefit).
3. How will the local community benefit from the project?
4. Describe the level of community need for the project.

Hint – Consider the following when completing your application

• Does the application represent good value for the investment of public funds?
  • Benefits to the target cohort (men at risk of social isolation and men in general) 
  • Benefits to the community 
  • Contributions from other sources
  • Project will provide an amenity or activity that will not be achieved without the funding
• Is the project aligned to the intention of this funding stream? 
  • Targets men at risk of social isolation 
  • Provides a project-based or workshop atmosphere 
• Is the proposed project inclusive?
  • Provides some men only days
  • Inclusive of women and gender diverse people on other days
  • Culturally inclusive
  • Financially inclusive
  • Geographically inclusive (not in a gated community)
• Is the project likely to succeed? (Project risk)
  • Security of tenure is demonstrated 
  • Realistically costed, based on evidence (plans and quotes proportionate to the complexity of the project) 
  • All financial contributions confirmed in writing 
• Will the project provide an important piece of social infrastructure? 
  • Availability of alternate infrastructure (nearby sheds, neighbourhood houses, bowls clubs etc.)
  • Size and location of the local community

All applications go through the following assessment process:

• Eligibility assessment: All applications undergo an eligibility assessment against the eligibility criteria. The eligibility assessment determines whether the application should proceed for merit assessment.
• Merit assessment: Eligible applications are assessed against the assessment criteria based on responses provided in the application form.
• Assessment panel: All applications are reviewed by a panel, which includes representatives from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.
• Ministerial approval: The Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers makes the final decision based on the recommendations from the assessment panel.
• Application outcome: All applicants are notified of the outcome of their application by email. 

All decisions in relation to any aspect of the funding application, eligibility, and assessment process, including any decision to award a grant under the Men’s Shed Funding Program or to withdraw the offer or cancel the grant funding agreement, are final.

Applications must be submitted through the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) Grants Gateway website.

Applications close Friday 8 December 2023 5.00pm.

• Register to login to the DFFH Grants Gateway. 
• Complete the online application form.
• Answer all questions. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
• Attach relevant or mandatory documents with the application.
• Submit the application by the 5.00pm Friday 8 December 2023.

If you are having trouble registering at Grants Gateway, contact DFFH at grantspolicy@dffh.vic.gov.au or download:

Please note that late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

If you experience any difficulties, please contact us prior to the program close date and time.