The 2011-2012 financial year is the first year that the Unity through Partnership grants have been offered, with a total of $4.4m allocated over the next four years to establish a calendar of major multicultural festivals and events throughout Victoria.

This grants program provides funding of up to $100,000 for major multicultural festivals and events in Melbourne and regional Victoria. Community organisations wishing to apply for funding for a multicultural festival or event need to nominate in their submission the preferred month of their event.

The Unity through Partnership grants will help to encourage the participation of the whole community in celebrating and valuing cultural diversity and foster cross cultural exchanges and collaboration.

Who is eligible?

Multicultural non-profit organisations can apply for funding.  Organisations must be incorporated under the Australian Corporations Act or as an Association under the Associations Incorporation Act and have an Australian Business Number (ABN).  If you wish to apply for funding and are not a formal organisation, you are able to apply in partnership with another organisation who will act as an auspice for your project.

Community Organisations may submit proposals provided that:

• The applicant is a legal entity, such as an incorporated body, co-operative or association and able to enter into legal agreements with the Victorian Government represented by the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship;
• The applicant has an Australian Business Number (ABN) or provides written advice from the Australian Tax Office  that no withholding tax is required from the fund payment;
• Any asset created by the project e.g. a building must be owned by a Federal, State or Local Government, or a non-profit community organization.  Ownership must be confirmed with the provision of a certificate title.
• Have organizational capacity to deliver the project.

Assessment Process

Applications for this grant category closed on Tuesday 23 August, 2011

Applications will now be assessed by the Community Strengthening team of OMAC.  Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application in late September.

The 2011-12 guidelines for this grant program can be accessed here .  It is anticipated this grant program will open again in February 2012.