Sporting Club Grants Program 2025/2026 - Round 2
Round 2 of the 2025/26 Sporting Club Grant Program is now open for applications! Applications close Tuesday April 7 at 4pm.
What is the Sporting Club Grants Program
The Sporting Club Grants Program is a state government grant opportunity that provides funds to assist in the purchase of sports uniforms and equipment and to improve the capacity and accessibility of Victorian clubs and other community sport and recreation organisations.
Scout Groups can apply for:
- Category 1 - On-field Uniforms or Equipment: "Up to $1,000 to help purchase key items that support safe and inclusive participation."
- Category 2 - Volunteers and Officials: "Up to $5,000 to invest in training to strengthen the skills, confidence and effectiveness of volunteers."
- Category 3 - Access and Events: "Up to $2,500 to host a single-session event for children and young people" "Up to $5,000 to deliver a series of sport sessions for adult participants."
- Category 5 - Governance and Engagement: "Up to $1,500 to strengthen governance practises and ensure long-term sustainability."
Category 4 is not available to Scout Groups.
Important Details
Applications close: Tuesday April 7, 4pm
Outcomes announced: June 2026
Eligibility: All Scout Groups and Teams are eligible except those that received a Sporting Club Grant in 2024-2025 or Round 1 of 2025-2026. You can check the list of previous recipients here. You must not have started work on, or already purchased items for your project.
Scout Groups can apply for:
- Category 1 - On-field Uniforms or Equipment: "Up to $1,000 to purchase on-field playing uniforms, participation equipment for competitors and active participants, safety, injury prevention and first-aid equipment."
- Category 2 - Volunteers and Officials: "Up to $5,000 for projects that improve the skills and knowledge of volunteers, coaches and/or officials and projects that improve volunteer-retention."
- Category 3 - Access and Events: "Up to $2,500 to host a single-session event for children and young people or adults" or "Up to $5,000 to deliver a series of sport session for adult participants."
- Category 5 - Governance and Engagement: "Up to $1,500 to strengthen governance practices and ensure long-term sustainability."
Category 4 is not available to Scout Groups.
Number of Applications: Scout Groups can submit up to 2 applications but they must be in different categories, and must be for distinct projects. We strongly encourage your Group to submit 2 applications. Each application must be "distinct." "Duplicate or substantially similar submissions will not be considered."
We are aware of some volunteers who write grant applications for multiple formations. Please keep in mind that "applications must be distinct. Duplicate or substantially similar submissions will not be considered." Do not copy applications between formations.
How to Apply: Read through the resources below to ensure you submit your application correctly.
How to Apply
Step by Step - Applying for a Sporting Club Grant
You're applying for a Sporting Club Grant? That's amazing! Follow these steps to ensure you submit the best possible application.
| 1. Read the program guidelines | Before you go any further you must read the full Program Guidelines. This step is critical to submitting a strong application. The Guidelines specify all the requirements for your project and explain the priorities of the Program. Funding for your project will be decided based on how well you meet those requirements and priorities. |
| 2. Decide on a Project | With your Group, decide on a project for your application. Remember, you can submit 2 applications. You need to pick a category and a project that is considered "eligible expenditure" You should have learnt about the categories and eligible expenditure in step 1. See "Choosing a Project" below for more advice to pick the perfect project. |
| 3. Request an Auspice Letter | In order to apply for this Program, all Scout Groups need to enter an auspice agreement with Scouts Victoria. This means Scouts Victoria formally agrees to support your application and "lend" our eligibility status to your Scout Group. An auspice letter states that Scouts Victoria endorses your application. Request an auspice letter by emailing grants.manager@scoutsvictoria.com.au If you are submitting 2 applications you will need 2 auspice letters. |
| 4. Write your Application |
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| 5. Submit |
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Choosing a Project
There are several funding categories available to Scout Groups. The category determines how much funding you can receive and what you can spend the funds on. Scout Groups can apply for:
- Category 1 - On-field Uniforms or Equipment: "Up to $1,000 to purchase on-field playing uniforms, participation equipment for competitors and active participants, safety, injury prevention and first-aid equipment."
- Category 2 - Volunteers and Officials: "Up to $5,000 for projects that improve the skills and knowledge of volunteers, coaches and/or officials and projects that improve volunteer-retention."
- Category 3 - Access and Events: "Up to $2,500 to host a single-session event for children and young people or adults" or "Up to $5,000 to deliver a series of sport session for adult participants."
- Category 5 - Governance and Engagement: "Up to $1,500 to strengthen governance practices and ensure long-term sustainability."
Category 4 is not available to Scout Groups.
Scout Groups can submit 2 applications
- Applications must be made to different categories
- Each application must be for a distinct project
- You are strongly encouraged to submit 2 applications
Applications need to support 'sport or active recreation activities.' Your project should support activities that get our Scouts moving. Think about the Outdoor Adventure Skills - all areas are 'sport or active recreation activities.'
Gathering Ideas
Have a think about what your Scout Group needs.
- Talk to your Group Council and Committee to find out if there is something your Group needs to deliver your current program. Do you have old or damaged equipment? Have you been struggling to run program due to a lack of knowledge or skills? Are you struggling to run engaging outdoor adventure activities? Do your youth members want to do an activity that you lack equipment for?
- Talk to your Group Council and Committee to find out if what your Group needs to grow and strengthen your program. What do you need to create more adventure opportunities at your Group? Is there something your youth members have always wanted to try but haven't had the know-how or equipment? What big ideas do you youth members have? Do you need anything to make your current program safer or more accessible?
- Consider all the categories available to Scout Groups. Which category does your project ideas belong to?
Check out the attached list of project ideas to get you started. Please note this list is not exhaustive. You should consider the inspiration and come up with a project unique to the needs of your Scout Group. You must always check the eligibility of your project against the program guidelines.
Understand the priorities of the Sporting Grant Program
Funding will be given to projects that support the priorities and objective of the Program. You need to ensure you project meets these requirements to give yourself a chance at receiving funding. Read the Program Guidelines and pay particular attention to:
- Message from the Minister for Community Sport
- 1. About the program
- 2. Strategic alignment to Active Victoria
- 3. Program objectives and 2025-26 priorities
- 8. Assessment and approval
Your application is effectively a "sales pitch." You are going to have to convince the Program that your project aligns with their goals.
Finalising Your Project
Understand which projects are eligible
Your project will need to meet a couple of requirements. Read the Program Guidelines and pay particular attention to:
- 1.2 Program Categories
- 6. Eligible projects and costs
- 7. What won't be funded
Consider the project ideas you have so far and which funding category they would sit in. Read the Program Guidelines to understand the eligible expenditure for each category. Your project must be an eligible expenditure item for your chosen category. If your project is considered ineligible under one category, check the other categories to see if it might apply there. It is critical your project is considered eligible expenditure.
Understand what you need to submit your project
In order to apply for the Program you will need to answer some questions about your project, and supply evidence/supporting documentation for your project. Consider what is required and if you are going to be able to answer all the questions effectively, and supply the required materials. Read the Program Guidelines and pay particular attention to:
- 8. Assessment and approval
- 9. Application question and guidance by category
- 10. What your application must include
Note that you will require:
- A quote for any purchases you wish to make as part of the project (keep in mind that website shopping carts and screenshots are accepted)
- An itemised budget
Services to Children
If your project classifies as "delivering ongoing or recurring services or activities to children" you will not be eligible to apply. The definition of this can be difficult to understand. Typically one-off activities with children are ok, whereas regular long-term program delivery to children would be ineligible. Purchasing equipment is not considered services to children.
If you are unsure about your project please contact grants.manager@scoutsvictoria.com.au to discuss. More information can be found in Section 11 of the Program Guidelines.
Writing your Application & Templates
Getting Ready and Starting the Application
It's time to apply! Click the "Apply Now" link for your category and then click "Start a new application." You will need to either create or log-in to an account on the Government's Grants Portal.
The Sporting Club Grants website includes a guides for each category about how to create and account, start an application, and use the portal.
Remember, your application is effectively a "sales pitch." You are going to have to convince the Program that your project aligns with their goals. Make sure you have the Program Guidelines open while you write, continue to refer to the Program objectives and make sure your answers reflect those goals.
Read the Program Guidelines and pay particular attention to:
- Message from the Minister for Community Sport
- 1. About the program
- 2. Strategic alignment to Active Victoria
- 3. Program objectives and 2025-26 priorities
- 8. Assessment and approval
Quotes
All applications must provide a quote for the intended purchases (this can be an online shopping cart screenshot). The quote must include full details of what will be purchased, individual costs and total costs, and all associated project costings. Make sure you have this handy when you start your application. Review the Program Guides for full quote requirements. Your quote must be unpaid.
All applications must provide a quote for the intended purchases (this can be an online shopping cart screenshot). The quote must include full details of what will be purchased, individual costs and total costs, and all associated project costings. Make sure you have this handy when you start your application. Review the Program Guides for full quote requirements. Your quote must be unpaid.
Auspice Letter
In order to apply for this Program, all Scout Groups need to enter an auspice agreement with Scouts Victoria. This means Scouts Victoria formally agrees to support your application and "lend" our eligibility status to your Scout Group. An auspice letter states that Scouts Victoria endorses your application. If you are submitting 2 applications you will need 2 auspice letters.
Request an auspice letter by emailing grants.manager@scoutsvictoria.com.au and telling us:
- Your category or categories
- Your project
- Your Scout Group
Extra Materials and Administrative Information
You will need other supporting documentation and administrative information, such as our Letter of Incorporation, which can be found in our Grants for Groups guide.
Writing the Application - Templates
To make the process nice and easy we have prepared template applications for each category. The template tells you how to answer each question the general and administrative questions. Print out the template, or have it open in another screen while you write your application. See the templates attached to this article (at the bottom of the page) - make sure you refer to the correct template for your category.
You need to convince the funding panel that they should fund YOUR project. Your answers should showcase your passion and everything awesome about your Scout Group. This is where everything you know about the Program Guidelines (Objectives) will come into play.
Refer to our guide and the Program's guide on how to answer these questions. Make sure you are fully answering each question.
Important Requirement - "Applications must be distinct. Duplicate or substantially similar submissions will not be considered." Do not copy another application (including our example applications), and do not recycle a previously rejected application. If you are volunteering to write grants for multiple formations, each application must be distinct. Do not copy between applications, even if the projects are similar.
Finishing your Application
Mistakes in your application will undermine your project. It's important to proof read your application to ensure there are no errors. When proof reading you should also look for opportunities to strengthen your answers. Concise and clear writing is the goal. Consider the Program Objectives and check if your can strengthen the appeal of your project.
Always proof read your application with a fresh set of eyes. Write the draft one night, and proof read the next.
We strongly recommend getting other members of your Group to proof read your application. They will pick up things you missed, offer a new perspective, and bring some fresh ideas.
Applications close April 7 at 4pm. Do NOT leave your application until the last minute. Every sport club in Victoria will be trying to submit at the same time, you do not want to risk the application portal crashing. Aim to submit by April 6.
Submitting & Next Steps
Congratulations you have submitted your application! Remember, Scout Groups can submit up to 2 applications, so have a think about a second project.
We need to know you have submitted an application! Send through a copy of your application to grants.manager@scoutsvictoria.com.au as soon as you submit.
Outcomes will be announced in June. Until outcomes have been announced, don't start work on your project or make any project purchases.
Support for Groups
Grants for Groups Resources
Here you will find step by step guides for every stage of your grant application, the Grants for Groups Checklist to help you organise your application, the Grants for Groups Fact Sheet packed with key information about Scouts Victoria, and some top ticks and tricks to guide your application.
Sporting Club Grants Webinar
Our Fundraising and Grants team ran a webinar to go through the Sporting Club Grants.
Project Inspiration
Check out the attached list of project ideas to get you started. Please note this list is not exhaustive. You should consider the inspiration and come up with a project unique to the needs of your Scout Group. You must always check the eligibility of your project against the program guidelines.
Example Applications
Coming soon!
Contact the Fundraising and Grants Team
If you need any further assistance preparing your application please contact grants.manager@scoutsvictoria.com.au or call 1800 SCOUTS.
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