Community Impact Grant Program set to empower local groups and organisations

Applications for the City of Ballarat’s Community Impact Grant Program (CIGP) will open soon, providing support for community groups, clubs, and organisations to build capacity and harness local connections. 

The program is designed to strengthen links between community members and groups by funding programs, events, products and services that bring benefits to residents and align with the City of Ballarat priority areas. 

The final round of funding for the 2025/2026 Community Impact Grant Program (CIGP) will open on February 1 2026, with local not-for-profit community groups, clubs, and organisations encouraged to apply.

Grants of between $500 and $20,000 can be applied for, with applications open until 15 March 2026. 

Priority will be given to projects that foster healthy, connected, and inclusive communities, build capacity, and promote environmental sustainability.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves encouraged eligible groups to apply for the program. 

“The Community Impact Grant Program has resulted in positive outcomes for local groups in recent years, from events and workshops that bring people together to amenity upgrades and sustainability initiatives,” she said. 

“The best part is seeing the direct impact this program has on helping local community groups deliver benefits to residents of all ages and backgrounds.” 

City of Ballarat and Ballarat East Neighbourhood House will deliver three grant writing workshops for community groups. 

• Session 1: 10.00 am - 11.30 am, Tuesday 10 February
• Session 2: 5.30 pm - 6.30 pm, Thursday 12 February (online)
• Session 3: 10.00 am - 11.30 am, Wednesday 18 February

The Ballarat Foundation was one of several recipients of a Community Impact Grant in 2025. The funds were utilised towards the purchase of a new vehicle to support learner drivers in the TAC L2P Program.

Ballarat Foundation Community Impact Manager Nina FitzSimons said the funding helped expand access for young people who face barriers to gaining their driver’s licence.

“The L2P program supports young people who don’t have access to a car or a supervising driver to complete their 120 hours and progress towards their provisional licence,” Ms FitzSimons said. 

“The L2P program simply wouldn’t be possible without community support. Grants such as the City of Ballarat’s Community Impact Grant allow us to expand program delivery and deliver real outcomes.”

Over the past 12 months, the Ballarat Foundation has supported 70 learner drivers to achieve their probationary licence, with volunteer mentors supervising 13,074 hours of driving.

“The impact is life‑changing for our participants,” Ms FitzSimons said. 

“One hundred per cent of our graduating learners reported increased confidence and safer driving skills, and 80 per cent gained employment as a direct result of securing their licence.”

Ms FitzSimons encouraged other community organisations to apply. 

“If your organisation is making a positive difference, I strongly encourage applying for a City of Ballarat Community Impact Grant,” she said.

“The process was straightforward, and the support has helped us deliver even greater outcomes for the Ballarat community.”

To learn more and to apply for a Community Impact Grant, visit the grants page on the City of Ballarat website.

Register for a grant writing workshop session at the Ballarat East Neighbourhood House website.