How to write a grant application

Tips for organisations and community groups to submit grant applications for multicultural grant programs.

Tip 1: Check that your organisation is eligible to apply
Tip 2: Prepare your application
Tip 3: Research how much your project will cost
Tip 4: Consider what other funding sources are available
Tip 5: What to include in your grant application
Tip 6: What to include in your project plan
Tip 7: Make sure you are registered in Grants Gateway

Tip 1: Check that your organisation is eligible to apply

Before you get started, check that your organisation is eligible to apply for the grant by reading the grant program’s guidelines.

All multicultural grant programs can be accessed via the grants to support multicultural communities page.

Contact the relevant grants team from the Multicultural Affairs portfolio or call 1300 112 755(opens in a new window).

Tip 2: Prepare your application

To prepare your grant application take some time to:

Check the grant application close date
Read the guidelines carefully
Think how your project goals align with the s program goals and objectives
Think why your project matters, who is affected and how your project will make a difference
Draft a template of your application before submitting it online and outlines your approach, activities, and timeline.
Check what evidence or documents you will need to include (these could be your organisation’s ABN, mandatory supporting documentation such as project plan templates, partner support letters). The list of documents is always detailed in the program guidelines
Review grant application instructions
Consider providing at least two people in your organisation with access to the grant portal to submit the application.
Have others review your application
Ensure it is complete and submitted before the deadline

Tip 3: Research how much your project will cost

Before writing your grant application and project plan, research how much your project will cost.

Remember to seek quotes for all components of your grant project and do not inflate costs.

Provide a Realistic Budget: break down costs clearly and justify each expense and ensure it aligns with the project scope

Tip 4: Consider what other funding sources are available

When researching your project cost, consider what other funding sources are available and include this in your grant application.

Other funding sources could include:

other government departments (state and federal)
local councils
philanthropic organisations
members of Parliament
local businesses
volunteers
in-kind contributions

Tip 5: What to include in your grant application

When writing your grant application make sure you define:

What you hope the project will achieve
Who will benefit from the project
How the project matches the aim of the grant program
How will you measure success?
To check that you’ve included this, ask yourself:
Who will your project target?
What will your project achieve?
When will your project be held?
Where will you run the project?
Why is your project important?
How will you run your project?
Do you have previous experience in managing grants?

Tip 6: What to include in your project plan

When writing your grant project plan make sure you include:

A description of your project
How your project will be undertaken
A budget outlining all costs
A timeline of when key deliverables will be achieved
An evaluation of how you will measure the successful of your project

Tip 7: Make sure you are registered in Grants Gateway

All multicultural grant program applications must be submitted via the Grants Gateway(opens in a new window) platform.

If you are having trouble registering at Grants Gateway, contact DFFH at grantspolicy@dffh.vic.gov.au or download:

(opens in a new window)How to register for the Grants Gateway

(opens in a new window)

How to register for the Grants Gateway PDF 307.02 KB (opens in a new window)

Open all

1Register

Select ‘New? Register here’

2Enter details

Enter account details (salutation, first name, last name, email, phone number) and select Sign Up.

3Confirm email address

Check for a confirmation email for the registered account. Open your email inbox and search for subject line ‘Welcome to Grants Gateway’ email from No Reply Salesforce on behalf of Grants Gateway.

Select the link in the email to confirm your account.

4Choose your password

Create a password for your account. The password must be:

13 characters
1 letter
1 number
1 special character Confirm your password by retyping it and then select Change Password.

You now have access to Grants Gateway.

Please note that late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

If you experience any difficulties, please contact us prior to the program close date and time.

Communities

Updated 11 July 2025

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Mini vic.gov.au

How to write a grant application

On this page

Tip 1: Check that your organisation is eligible to apply

Tip 2: Prepare your application

Tip 3: Research how much your project will cost

Tip 4: Consider what other funding sources are available

Tip 5: What to include in your grant application

Tip 6: What to include in your project plan

Tip 7: Make sure you are registered in Grants Gateway

(opens in a new window)How to register for the Grants Gateway

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