2025/2026 Business Assistance Grants and Community Action Grants
Published on 29 July 2025
Hindmarsh Shire Council’s 2025/2026 Business Assistance Grants and Community Action Grants are open for applications from Thursday 31 July 2025 and close at 5:00pm on Thursday 04 September 2025.
The Community Action Grants program was established in 2013 and has assisted community groups and non-profit organisations with funding to host community events, purchase necessary equipment, and to carry out minor upgrades to facilities, while the Business Assistance Grants program commenced in 2016 and has since supported new and existing businesses in Hindmarsh Shire to grow.
Hindmarsh Shire Council has allocated $20,000 towards each of the Business and Community Grants programs in the 2025/2026 Annual Budget.
The Community Action Grants program has three categories available for funding applications including, Community Assistance, Event Sponsorship and Small Equipment.
The Community Assistance category provides funding up to $1,000 to assist not-for-profit community groups and organisations with worthwhile projects that do not fit under the Event Sponsorship or Small Equipment categories. Projects could include refurbishment of facilities, or training, retention and development of volunteers.
The Small Equipment category provides funding of up to $1,000 for non-for-profit organisations to assist in the cost of purchasing small equipment items, such as, but not limited to garden equipment and tools; appliances and whitegoods; computers and electronic items; sports equipment.
The Event Sponsorship program offers grants of up to $500 and aims to assist community groups and organisations to promote and run events within Hindmarsh Shire that demonstrate social and economic benefit to the Hindmarsh community. Event sponsorship grants can be applied for on an annual basis.
The Business Assistance Grants program offers support and assistance across two funding categories, Business Development and Streetscape Improvement.
Funding through the Business Development category assists businesses to undertake small projects or initiatives to a value of up to $2,000. Initiatives could include staff recruitment, business planning, or the obtaining of building, planning and health permits.
Funding through the Streetscape Improvement category aims to assist existing businesses to undertake any streetscape improvements, such as painting, signage and displays, to a value of up to $3,000.
For all Business Assistance Grants, businesses must match $1 to every $2 of Council grant.
Community Action Grants and Business Assistance Grant application forms and grant guidelines are available on Council’s website at www.hindmarsh.vic.gov.au/Apply-for-Grants.
Please note that any new businesses that have operated for less than 12 months will need to meet with Council’s Economic Development team prior to applying.
Applications for both grant programs will close at 5:00pm on Thursday 04 September 2025.
The 2024 / 2025 Community Action Grants program assisted 17 community groups and organisations with funding for a range of initiatives including landscaping and garden / street beautification, strategic planning, gardening equipment, personal protective equipment, laptop computers and printers, sporting equipment and uniforms, kitchen appliances and hall cleaning equipment as well as event sponsorship.
Successful applicants and projects in 2024/2025 Business Assistance Grants program included:
- Rainbow Sweets, window artwork (streetscape category)
- Hayden’s Café, façade upgrades (streetscape category)
- Lots of Laughter café van, marquee for shade for customers (streetscape category)
- Lowana, façade signage (streetscape category)
- Nhill Thai Massage, façade signage (streetscape category)
- K’nyaw Asian Grocery store, façade signage (streetscape category)
- Turbo Gallery, sculpture garden (streetscape category)
- Big Bertha Coffee Van, fridge trailer (business development category)
- Cat Clarke Catering, commercial kitchen upgrade (business development category)
- Partners in Ag, business summit attendance costs (business development category)
For more information about the Business Assistance Grants Program, please contact the Economic Development department, on 03 5391 4444 or email business@hindmarsh.vic.gov.au.
For more information about the Community Action Grants Program, please contact the Community Wellbeing department, on 03 5391 4444 or email community@hindmarsh.vic.gov.au.
Monica Revell
Chief Executive Officer