The City of Greater Bendigo is calling for community feedback on a new draft Grants and Sponsorship Policy that aims to provide clear guidance for how the City provides grants and sponsorship across the organisation in a way that is fair, equitable, transparent, and accountable.
City of Greater Bendigo Healthy Communities and Environments Director Jess Howard said the draft policy has been expanded to include both grants and sponsorship programs across the City and will replace the existing Community Grants Policy which is due to expire in December 2026.
“It’s a very important policy because the City provides many thousands of dollars of grants and sponsorship support to a large range of community and other organisations each year,” Ms Howard said.
“Without the City’s support many of these groups and organisations would find it difficult to undertake the projects, events and work they provide to the community.
“The draft policy establishes a unified, organisation-wide approach to all grants and sponsorships provided by the City and includes strengthened governance controls and reporting requirements to enhance accountability, reduce the risk of fraud or mismanagement and build community confidence in funding decisions.
“When adopted the policy will apply to eligible community groups, organisations, businesses and individuals applying for grants and sponsorships, City staff who administer grants and sponsorships and Councillors who may approve grants and sponsorship budgets and contributions.”
The draft policy is based on the following principles:
- Transparency and fairness
- Community benefit
- Innovation
- Equity and accessibility
- Strategic and needs based
- Accountability and good governance
- Sustainability
- Value for money
The City is now calling for community feedback on the draft policy to ensure it is clear and easy to understand and if there is anything missing from the principles.
All feedback received will help shape the final policy and will be considered and shared with Council before the policy is recommended for adoption.
The draft policy is available to view and make comment on at the City’s community engagement website Let’s Talk Greater Bendigo until Monday September 14, 2026.
To provide feedback, please visit: