City of Melbourne Grants & Sponsorship Programs Open for 2013

The City of Melbourne’s grants and sponsorships help to deliver quality programs, events, products and services which are of great benefit to Melbourne and Melburnians alike.

The latest round of grants and sponsorship opportunities for community groups and businesses in the arts, recreation, events and business sectors are now open for applications.

The funding rounds cover four areas of opportunity: Business Event Sponsorship, small business grants, social and micro business grants and the Event Partnership Program.

Applicants with events or initiatives that reflect creativity, inclusion, sustainability, knowledge and economic prosperity are encouraged to apply.

Social enterprises and micro businesses operating in the City of Melbourne may be eligible for financial grants and mentoring to the value of $25,000.

Under the social enterprise and micro business grants program, organisations creating or expanding employment and self-employment opportunities for disadvantaged persons will be eligible to apply.

This includes enterprises and businesses providing employment and self-employment opportunities for indigenous persons, disabled persons, homeless persons, long-term unemployed persons and former refugees. Past recipients include Vision Australia and Green Connect.

The grants program aims to encourage the establishment and expansion of social enterprises and micro businesses that enhance the City of Melbourne’s reputation for business vitality, diversity and inclusiveness.

Free public information sessions and workshop opportunities are available for social enterprise and micro business grants.

The Business Event Sponsorship program assists conference organisers and city businesses to ensure delegates experience all that the city of Melbourne has to offer.

The program is open to organisations delivering business events or conferences. Past recipients include The Smith Family and The Alannah and Madeline Foundation.

Sponsorships are available for business events or conferences held in the City of Melbourne municipality and which promote Melbourne as a destination. Sponsorship value is up to $10,000.

The small business grants provides financial assistance to small businesses currently located or intending to locate in the City of Melbourne.

The key objectives of the small business grants program is to:

• increase diversity in the city by supporting the establishment of new and creative small businesses
• assist existing businesses that are introducing innovative services or products as part of their expansion phase
• encourage and support businesses to enter and expand into new overseas markets (exporting)
• support member-based organisations within the city.

There are four categories of grants: start-up; business expansion; export entry; and business support services. Past recipients include Gumbo Kitchen and Melbourne City Rooftop.

Free public information sessions and workshop opportunities are available for small business grants.

The Event Partnership Program is focused on ensuring Melbourne maintains its position as Australia’s events capital.

The City of Melbourne recognises events play an important role in the city’s wellbeing by raising the city’s profile, building relationships, delivering economic benefits and enlivening the city.

The aim of the partnership program is to improve public perception and enjoyment, help stage events throughout the city, and enhance the quality and variety of events. Event organisers staging events within the City of Melbourne municipality can apply for funding as cash or in-kind.

Past recipients include CSIRO, Leukaemia Foundation and the Japanese Society of Melbourne.

Applications for all four programs opened on Monday February 18 and close at 5.30pm, Monday March 18, 2013. Successful applicants will be notified in July 2013.

For more information, visit the website.