The Shire of Kent’s Community Grants Program for the 2026/27 Financial Year is now open! Community Grants applications are for programs or projects exceeding $2,000. Small Grants are for programs or projects less than $2,000. Applications can be made by clicking HERE.

For Community Grants over $2,000, applications close on Tuesday 12 May 2026. Council will then consider each of the requests for funding as part of their budget deliberations for the 2026/27 Annual Budget. Small grant applications under $2,000 can be submitted at any time.

Selection Criteria

Grant applications will be assessed on the following criteria:

• Demonstrated community need
• Broad and diverse target group
• Capacity to undertake the project as presented.
• Value for money

Ineligible Projects / Programs / Items

• Retrospective (something that has already occurred)
• Not based in the Shire of Kent
• Duplicating an existing project or service
• Benefits an individual only
• Alcohol and interstate or overseas travel
• Rates, rent or other costs associated with a tenancy of a building (requests of this nature to be dealt with outside of the community grants process)

Ineligible applicants

• Not based in the Shire of Kent
• An individual or group not affiliated with a community group
• Commercial, for-profit group
• Applicants with overdue acquittals from another grant.

Grant requirements

• Where grant funds are not claimed by 31 May the following year, grant funding is deemed revoked.
• An acquittal is required to be submitted within 90 days of project / program completion.
• Overdue acquittals may result in ineligibility in future funding rounds.

A copy of our current policy is also available here. Community Grants Policy