The Seniors Festival Grant Program aims to support innovative and new opportunities for ageing peoples’ participation in the Greater Shepparton region through social interaction, skill development and building lasting connections with organisations. The Seniors Festival Grant Program is inclusive and accessible to all people in the local community, including vulnerable cohorts of people experiencing additional disadvantage.

In line with the 2025 Victorian Seniors Festival, priority will be given to activities, programs, and events that focus on the following seniors cohorts:

• men 
• LGBTIQA+
• First Nation Elders
• veterans
• seniors with a disability
• seniors from multicultural and multi-faith backgrounds

For the 2025/2026 Financial Year there is a total funding pool of $3,500 available. Individual grants of up to $500 are available for successful applicants to conduct activities during the timeframes between 1 October 2025 and 31 October 2025.

Council strongly advises you to contact the Community Wellbeing Department prior to making an application to discuss your proposed activity and eligibility. For assistance you can contact Council’s Access & Positive Ageing Officer via telephone on (03) 5832 9700 or via email positiveageing@shepparton.vic.gov.au. Following discussions, applicants will be provided with a secure link to submit an application.

As this is a competitive process, not all applications will necessarily be funded even if they meet the eligibility criteria. In some cases, applicants may be offered partial funding.