Every town has that idea - the one that comes up at committee meetings, over a cuppa after training, or in the car park after the footy. ‘Wouldn’t it be great if…’ Round 1 of the CPIF Specialist Stream is your chance to back that idea with real funding.

This round is deliberately broad. Rather than funding one type of activity, it invites your Community Planning Group (CPG) or Community Asset Committee (CAC) to identify a genuine local opportunity - no matter how big or small - and make the case for it. In instances when referenced as Community plan, CAC's may also be guided by other strategic documents, such as Annual Facility Improvement Plans or other locally relevant planning documents.

This round is grounded in an Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) approach: we’re less interested in what your town is missing, and more interested in what it already has to build on - people, places, skills and relationships. What could your community do with this funding?

“The strongest pitches are simple, real, and specific to your town.”

As this round is not tied to a fixed community-wide event date, funded projects should be scoped for delivery by 30 June 2027 unless another timeframe is agreed with your Liaison Officer.

Applications are assessed on how clearly they address these criteria. Applications addressing more than one criterion, or demonstrating strong local partnerships, will be viewed favourably.

Before you start writing, check you can say yes to all of the following:

✓  We’re a recognised CPG or CAC based in a small town within the Greater Shepparton region.

✓  Your project responds to at least one of the five criteria above.

✓  We have the people and capacity to deliver this project within the proposed timeframe.

✓  We’re either an incorporated body, or we have an auspicing organisation lined up who has agreed to manage the funds on our behalf.

If you’ve ticked all four, you’re ready to apply. Not sure about one of them? That’s exactly what your Community Development or Committees Liaison Officer is there for - reach out before you start.

What Makes a strong application?

The strongest applications clearly connect back to something your community has already told you matters - through your Community Plan, a recent conversation, or a committee discussion. Show us that connection, and your assessors will see it too.

Considerations 

How does your project reflect the needs and aspirations already identified by your community - including through your Community Plan, recent consultations, or committee discussions? Applications that clearly connect back to community-identified priorities will be viewed favourably.

For further information, please contact your assigned Community Development or Committees Liaison Officer. Guidelines are available on Council’s website: Specialist Stream Guidelines - Community Plan Implementation Fund.

Please read the Specialist Stream Guidelines - Community Plan Implementation Fund located on Council's website here.

Funds up to $1,500.00 are available per application.

Here’s what to expect once your project is funded - nothing here should come as a surprise, and our team is on hand to help at every step.

Delivering Your Project

• Projects must be delivered by 30 June 2027 (or an alternative date agreed with your Liaison Officer).
• If your project involves an event or public activity, use the occasion to showcase what your group has achieved over the past year and where you’re headed next.
• Any promotional material using Council’s logo needs sign-off from relevant Council staff first.
• You’ll need appropriate public liability insurance in place.
• Plans can change - if your project needs to shift materially from what you pitched, just talk to your Liaison Officer before proceeding.
• For CPG your project must link with your relevant Community plan and for CAC your project must link with your Facility Improvement plan.

Kindly note that projects for maintenance will not be eligible for this grant. 

Reporting Back- Your Acquittal

• A short reflection: what worked, what didn’t, and what you’d do differently next time - informal notes or feedback from those involved is completely fine.
• A few photos, where appropriate and with consent.
• A rough estimate of how many people took part or were reached.
• Any feedback you gathered from participants.

We know these projects are run by volunteers alongside everything else in life -your acquittal report doesn’t need to be polished, just honest. Council is genuinely open to unconventional ideas, and the Community Development team will work with you to plan, prepare and deliver your project.

This is your chance to make the case for your project - think of it as your pitch to Council’s Community Development team. Be specific, be genuine, and tell us how it will improve things, drawing on your Community Plan or other strategic documents where you can.

Stuck for where to start? Try finishing this sentence:

“Right now in our town, [what’s missing or what’s happening] - but if we had [your idea], we could [the outcome].”

Applications that demonstrate strong community partnerships with other local groups or organisations will be viewed favourably and scored higher. 

If your application is successful Council will need to know who to pay the funds to.

Greater Shepparton City Council manages your personal information in accordance with its Privacy Policy and the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic). Your personal information is collected to communicate with you regarding your grant application. It is disclosed to Council Officers for review of your application and may be disclosed to other areas of Council to administer your grant application. If you do not provide the requested information we may be unable to process your application and keep you informed of the outcome of the application. Council may also use your personal information to contact you regarding future grant rounds.