Round 1 - December 2025

These grants support small, practical, business-led projects that create lasting improvements for local businesses and contribute to a stronger, fairer and more sustainable Mount Alexander Shire economy.

Grant amount: Up to $5,000 per project.

Who can apply

• Individual businesses
• Groups of businesses working together — whether a formal association or an informal collaboration (e.g., neighbouring shops or local farmers working on a shared project)
• Community organisations working in direct partnership with local businesses

What we are looking for

Projects must address at least one of the Wellbeing Impact Areas and demonstrate:

• Practical improvements - such as skills development (including workshops or training), better systems or tools, stronger collaborations, inclusive and accessible practices, or environmental benefits
• Ongoing value beyond the grant period - leaving behind tools, skills, relationships or practices that continue to benefit local businesses
• Positive outcomes for the Shire - helping businesses adopt new or improved ways of working that benefit local people, places and the environment, while strengthening business resilience

Applications close: Midnight, Sunday 18 January 2026

Community Wealth Building

Building local strength by keeping money, jobs, skills and ownership in the community.

Projects that help local businesses and enterprises grow, share skills, and keep more economic value circulating in Mount Alexander. This could include shared marketing, mentoring, local procurement initiatives, or industry networks that support fair, decent work and stronger local supply chains.

Inclusion and Equity

Making it easier for more people to take part in business and economic life.

Projects that remove barriers for groups who often miss out – including young people, First Nations people, people with disability, women, culturally and linguistically diverse communities and others. This could include inclusive business practices, targeted mentoring, accessible spaces or business-led initiatives that make it fairer and easier for people to start, visit or work in local enterprises.

Health and Wellbeing

Helping people feel more connected, safe and well through business activity.

Projects where business or enterprise activity clearly supports community connection and wellbeing – for example, a youth-led social enterprise café, a business-hosted program that reduces isolation, or initiatives that improve safety, culture or support for staff, customers or volunteers.

Environment and Country

Caring for Country and the environment through the way we do business.

Projects that reduce waste, emissions and environmental harm, or that trial more regenerative ways of working. This might include circular-economy initiatives (like shared composting or reuse schemes), regenerative agriculture field days, low-waste pilots, or business-led actions that respect and care for Djaara Country and the natural environment.

Place and Infrastructure

Making our towns and shared spaces stronger, safer, more welcoming and better connected.

Projects that improve how people experience local business areas – through small upgrades, shared infrastructure or activations led by businesses and their partners. This could include precinct-based improvements, collaborative “buy local” or “eat local” campaigns, or simple changes that make main streets feel more inviting, accessible and vibrant.

Useful Resources

Information about Council's Wellbeing Economy focus and priorities:

• Economic Development Strategy (2024)
• Council Plan 2025-2029
• All Council plans and strategies

Below are examples of the kinds of small, practical projects that are a good fit for this grant. These examples show the type of impact we are looking for — your project should address at least one of Council’s Wellbeing Impact Areas and leave lasting value for local businesses.

• A business association running a training session in governance and financial skills for micro-businesses - and recording the session so that other businesses can reuse.
• A farmer network develops a small joint marketing or “eat local” campaign that helps build a shared identity and strengthens local customer loyalty.
• A youth group partners with a café to trial a small pop-up social-enterprise coffee cart, giving young people hands-on training in hospitality and customer service.
• A First Nations organisation runs a short on-Country workshop series connected to a small economic activity — such as bush-foods growing, product development or market preparation.
• A group of retailers collaborates to develop shared promotional materials to boost foot traffic and support neighbouring businesses.
• A community organisation works with local eateries to design a composting system that reduces waste and helps businesses trial circular-economy practices.
• A community disability group works with local animal vets to identify ways to improve accessibility.  

What we fund

We fund practical projects that deliver a clear benefit to local businesses or enterprises and help build a stronger, fairer and more sustainable local economy.

Projects should create improvements that continue beyond the grant period — such as new skills, better systems, shared tools, stronger business relationships, more welcoming or accessible business activity, or small steps toward lower-waste or regenerative practices.

Projects may be led by:

• individual businesses
• groups of businesses, trader collectives, precinct clusters, business associations or farmer networks
• community organisations working directly with local businesses

All projects must take place within Mount Alexander Shire and show positive business outcomes, alongside social, environmental or community benefit.

What we don't fund:

We do not fund:

• activities that are primarily community-focused, with no clear benefit to local businesses
• one-off events or promotions without any ongoing value, tool, skill, improvement or model left behind
• operational or running costs (for example: wages, rent, utilities, insurance, administration)
• projects occurring outside Mount Alexander Shire
• activities that fit more appropriately within other Council grant programs (e.g. major events, arts, community wellbeing grants)

Please refer to the Local Impact Business Grants for more information about eligibility and ineligibility.

• Applications Open: 15 December 2025 -18 January 2026 (midnight).
• Decisions Announced: 6 February 2026.
• Project Period (Maximum): February 6, 2026 – June 10, 2026. All project activities and expenditure must occur between these dates. Please ensure your project scope is realistic for this short delivery window.
• Final Project Report Due: 30 June 2026.

To apply, you must confirm the following:

• I have read and understood the program guidelines.
• I have contacted, or intend to contact, Council’s Business Team to discuss my project (recommended).
• I have no outstanding acquittals with Mount Alexander Shire Council.
• I am an eligible organisation (or have an eligible auspice arrangement in place).
• The project will be delivered in, and for the benefit of, Mount Alexander Shire — strengthening local businesses and contributing to a stronger, fairer and more sustainable local economy.