Community Grants Program

17 October 2011

The Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship's (OMAC) Community Grants Program for 2012 is now open. The grants program aims to strengthen the capacity of individuals to manage their own affairs, to participate in and influence their local communities and to participate in all areas of Victorian life.

Five categories of funding are available through the OMAC's Community Grants Program:

• Organisational Support Grants - financial assistance towards the general activities of multicultural organisations, including multicultural senior citizens clubs.
• Strengthening Multicultural Communities - support for projects that develop the capacity of new and emerging communities and multicultural networks. Priority is given to projects that provide assistance to migrant and refugee women or young people and local heritage projects that document the contribution of migrants and refugees in Victoria.
• Buildings and Facilities Improvement Grants - assistance for ethno-specific or multicultural community organisations to undertake minor upgrades or improvements to buildings they own.
• Educational Program Grants - support for new and existing community languages schools including school-based professional development programs for teachers and student in-country tours.
• Promoting Multicultural and Multifaith Harmony - partnership projects that promote interfaith dialogue and community harmony; and projects that develop the capacity of interfaith networks to promote interfaith dialogue and community harmony.

Not-for-profit organisations can apply online or call the Grants Information Line on 1300 366 356 (cost of a local call) to obtain a copy of the application form.

Applications close Friday 16 December 2011.