Our Ripple Effect Grants Program is now open for applications until 24 March!
The program supports projects and initiatives that align with our community strategy, make a significant and positive change within our local community, and are great value for money.
Ripple Effect prioritises support for community-based, not for-profit organisations throughout our service region.
Learn about our grants
There are three streams of grant funding available under the Ripple Effect program
Community grants of up to $5,000 are available for not-for-profit, volunteer-based, community organisations to undertake projects that aim to strengthen communities.
International aid grants of up to $4,000 are available for local community organisations undertaking projects to strengthen communities overseas.
School-based grants of up to $1,000 are available for schools (or school councils) to undertake projects within their school community.
We have a strategic focus
Applications for grant funding through the Ripple Effect program must align with (but are not limited to) at least one of the following community strategy themes and areas of focus:
Initiatives that will build capacity with a focus on leadership, engagement, partnership, strategy and advocacy e.g. field days, leadership forums.
Initiatives that will promote access to quality education, training and volunteering pathways e.g. school fetes..
Initiatives that will enhance public health and physical and mental wellbeing e.g. sporting groups, fun runs.
Initiatives that promote healthy and sustainable ecosystems e.g. tree planting days.
In 2024 we awarded 16 fantastic organisations a total of $44,000 in grants to better their local communities. Learn more about these projects:
School-based
Bolwarra Primary School will rejuvenate a garden space by restoring its hothouse, installing protective covers and automated watering systems. The $1,000 grant will ensure students continue to learn about sustainability in a hands-on way and share their produce with the wider community.
Merri River School has received $1,000 for a puppet theatre to allow students to bring their art to life and for both verbal and non-verbal students to express themselves through puppetry. This theatre will help students with intellectual disabilities better understand acting, voice and movement.
Warrnambool East Primary School will purchase quality kitchen and gardening tools to give students an alternative learning experience outside of the classroom with their $1,000. The ‘Hands on Learning Program’ helps students gain confidence and gives them a place to belong.
Monivae College has been granted $1,000 to improve a wellbeing room as part of its Standing Tall mentoring program. The money will allow the school to have a dedicated space to foster connections and contribute to resources including board games, art supplies and simple cooking equipment.
Community
Camperdown and District Community House has been granted $4,000 to support positive mental health outcomes in its community with ongoing weekly garden therapy sessions. The project is run in partnership with Innerbloom Gardening Therapy and the sessions aim to reduce stress and grow a sense of community.
Derrinallum Yacht and Power Boat Club has received $5,000 to plant indigenous water grasses at Deep Lake. This will help combat Blue Green Algae outbreaks and improve the lake’s water quality not just for its activities but the entire community who uses it.
Casterton Memorial Hospital has received $800 to run a self-care program featuring a clinical and health psychologist as a guest speaker who will provide tools to improve wellbeing. The program will also highlight health screening opportunities, and mental health and family violence resources.
The Fit to Drive Foundation was granted $4,500 to run two school-based F2D Workshops for Year 11s in the Glenelg region aimed at increasing road safety. This program addresses common risks affecting young road users and introduces students to key road rules and a real-life case study.
Heywood’s Men Talk Group will run health forums with its $1,000 grant. These aim to help community members talk about their health concerns in a safe environment. Open to both men and women, the forums encourage people to connect with each other and provide access to healthcare professionals sharing their knowledge.
United Way Glenelg will celebrate community wisdom through video stories focusing on their older members from throughout the region with its $2,000. The videos will delve into the vibrant life experience of five long-term volunteers who have spent years contributing to their communities. The videos will serve as a living library and preserve these oral histories in digital form.
The Warrnambool and District Easter Arts Festival has received $2,000 towards its Moyne Shire activities over the Easter period. The community event gives a broad range of people, that may often be excluded from the arts, the chance to participate and enjoy the arts through workshops, displays and concerts.
The Hamilton and Western Districts Pipe Band was granted $4,400 towards their Hamilton Highland Gathering 2024. The event will celebrate 120 years of continuous service as one of Victoria’s longest running pipe bands. It will also provide a platform to recognise various other local volunteer clubs contributing to the local community.
The Find Your Voice Collective will spend its $4,300 on purchasing special electronic instruments that will improve accessibility for musicians who can’t play traditional acoustic instruments. It will improve the ability of people with disabilities to play as part of group, as well as explore, compose and perform in ways they couldn’t previously.
Meli Community will use its $3,000 to provide free toiletry kits to people in need. As the costs of living has risen, demand has now surpassed donations. The kits will include basic toiletries such as toothbrushes and shampoo and allow vulnerable people maintain their personal hygiene with dignity.
The Warrnambool Multicultural Association received $5,000 to support its multicultural festival featuring performances and food from around the world, Indigenous cultural engagement as well as arts and craft stalls. The funding will go directly to materials for intercultural workshops, performers and traffic control costs.
International aid
Warrnambool’s King’s College received $4,000 to continue its ongoing support of Ararat Christian School in Kampala, Uganda that provides accommodation and education to AIDs orphans. The money will go towards drilling bores and installing water tanks to secure the school’s water supply.
Want to apply?
Applications for the 2025 community grants are now open. Submissions close 24 March 2025.
Interested in merchandise sponsorship?
We also have a range of merchandise available to support community groups with your local events and initiatives. Applications for our first round of merchandise sponsorship are also open until 24 March 2025.
