Grants writing workshops to help community groups

Grants writing workshops to help community groups

Published on 26 February 2021

Council is hosting a series of free grant writing workshops in March to support local organisations and groups in making applications for funding opportunities in 2021.

Attendees will be provided with strategies and tools to give them the best chance of writing a successful application to a variety of sources, including Council’s annual grants programs.

Local facilitator Jenny Holliday from the Non Profit Training group will lead two face-to-face workshops at the Woodend Community Centre on 11 March 2021 at 2pm-4pm and 7pm-9pm.

Acting CEO John Nevins said COVIDSafe measures will be in place at the centre and numbers are limited to 30 people for each session.

“This year we will also run an online webinar workshop via Zoom on 16 March 2021 at 7pm-9pm,” Mr Nevins said. “We recognise it’s been a very tough year on everyone and we are working on ways to make available funding more accessible for local community groups.”

Topics covered at all three workshops will equip participants to: 

Know the steps to grant writing success Understand the mindset of the funder Devise a grant application planning matrix and calendar Find the right grant opportunities Define your program and its benefits Tips and tricks for writing responses to applications Calculate the cost ($ and people) of the plan and prepare a budget

Mr Nevins said all sessions are designed for volunteers with limited or no experience in writing grants and participation would likely increase their group’s chances of success.

“Council officers will be on hand to answer any questions to explain the grants guidelines, criteria and online grants application forms,” he said.

Officers will provide specific information on Council’s upcoming annual grant programs – the Community Funding Scheme and Events and Festivals Grant Program. Applications open on 29 March and close on 3 May 2021.

To register for the workshops, call (03) 5422 0333, email, or visit the grants page of Council's website.