Volunteer Grants 2025/26

Volunteer Grants 2025/26

Volunteer Grants Program 2025/26

Warning
You MUST use Scouts Victoria's organisation and signatory details on your Volunteer Grant application. See 'How to Apply - Stage 2' for more information.

The Volunteer Grants program is a federal government grant program that provides grants between $1,000 - $5,000 to not-for-profit community organisations to support their volunteers. The goal/outcome of the program is to "strengthen community functioning by supporting and increasing participation in volunteering." Funding can be used towards a wide-range of items that support volunteers and volunteer-run activities.

Applications are submitted in 2 stages:
  1. Groups submit an Expressions of Interest (EOI) through their local federal Member of Parliament (MPs) 
  2. Groups that are nominated by their MP will be invited to apply for a grant in May 2026
The Grant Opportunity Guidelines are available on GrantConnect. Before applying make sure you read the full Guidelines.
If you have any questions or need support on your EOI, please contact grants.manager@scoutsvictoria.com.au.

How to Submit an EOI - Stage 1 (Closed)

The EOI application window has now closed. MPs will now be making their funding recommendations. If you submitted an EOI you should be contacted with an outcome. If you have not heard an outcome for your EOI submission, contact your local MPs office for more information.

If your Group was recommended to receive funding, you will need to complete stage 2 of the Volunteer Grants application. Stage 2 is submitted directly to the federal Department of Social Services. Your MP will provide you with a unique code to unlock the stage 2 application. 

To find your Group's federal electorate, visit electorate.aec.gov.au.

Submitting your EOI
In addition to submitting your EOI to your local MP, all Group grants need to be registered with Scouts Victoria. Please forward a copy of your submitted EOI to grants.manager@scoutsvictoria.com.au. You can view the full policy and procedure for Group grants in the Grants for Groups Guide.

How to Apply - Stage 2

Your MP will provide you with a unique code to unlock the stage 2 application. You must inform Scouts Victoria of your intent to apply. Contact grants.manager@scoutsvictoria.com.au to discuss.

When applying for the Volunteer Grant Program, it is critical that all Scout Groups use Scouts Victoria’s organisation details in the application, rather than your Group's details or a volunteer’s personal details. This applies to all grants, however it is especially important for the Volunteer Grant Program this year due to changes in the program rules and legal responsibilities. Under the 25-26 guidelines, the volunteer listed on the application will be held personally legally liable for the grant and it management. 

Idea
Stage 2 applications open on May 18 and close on May 29 - Act quick to make sure you don't miss out!

Warning
You MUST use Scouts Victoria's organisation and signatory details on your Volunteer Grant application.

Follow this section by section guide to complete your application:

Eligibility Requirements 
  1. Nomination ID, Federal Electorate, funding amount: Your local MP should have provided this information
  2. Applicant's legal entity type: Incorporated Association (by royal charter - no incorporation number) 
  3. Documentation to support the entity type: See the Grants for Groups Fact Sheet and use the Letter of Incorporation (linked in the Fact Sheet)
  4. Organisation type: Select 'Non-Indigenous organisation'
  5. National Redress Scheme, Workplace Gender Equality: Select 'I confirm'
  6. Child Safety Statement and Declaration: Select the appropriate level of contact with children, and then select 'I confirm Child Safe measures for direct/expected contact will be in place prior to activity start'
  7. Bank Account Details: 
    1. Bank: National Australia Bank, 288 Lygon St, North Melbourne
    2. Account Name: The Scout Association of Australia Victorian Branch 
    3. BSB: 083-355
    4. Account Number: 51-556-4710
    5. Email: accounts@scoutsvictoria.com.au
  8. Verification of bank details: Contact grants.manager@scoutsvictoria.com.au for a bank statement

Applicant Contacts
  1. Authorised Contact One: Mr Jon McGregor (Executive Manager), ph 03 8543 9800, grants.manager@scoutsvictoria.com.au
    1. Do not under any circumstance nominate a member of your Group as an authorised legal representative
  2. Authorised Contact Two: Ms Michelle Strachan (Fundraising and Grants Manager) ph 03 8543 9800, marketing@scoutsvictoria.com.au

Organisation Details
  1. Applying as a Trustee: No
  2. ABN: 39662387026
    1. Legal/registered entity name: THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA VICTORIAN BRANCH
    2. Business name: SCOUTS VICTORIA
    3. Date of registration: 18 March 2000
    4. GST Registered - Yes
    5. Registered as a Charity - Yes
  3. Incorporation Number: No (Incorpated by royal charter - no incorporation number)
  4. Registered Business Address
    1. 152-158 Forster Rd, Mount Waverley, VIC 3149
    2. 03 8543 9800
    3. grants.manager@scoutsvictoria.com.au
    4. https://scoutsvictoria.com.au/
  5. Postal address: Same as business address
  6. Financial email: accounts@scoutsvictoria.com.au
  7. Not-for-profit: Yes

Organisation Delivering the Volunteering Activity
  1. Percentage of volunteers: 100%
  2. Number of volunteers: Based on your Group numbers
  3. Categories and selection lists: Based on your Group application/needs

Declaration
  1. Authorised Representative: Mr Jon McGregor (Executive Manager), ph 03 8543 9800, grants.manager@scoutsvictoria.com.au
    1. Do not under any circumstance nominate a member of your Group as an authorised legal representative
  2. Name of person completing the application: Your name
  3. Role: "I am a member of the applicant organisation and I am completing this application on behalf of the authorised representative."
If you are ensure whose details to provide at any point (your Group's or Scouts Victoria's), do not guess. Contact grants.manager@scoutsvictoria.com.au or 1800 SCOUTS.

After applying, please send a copy of your submission to grants.manager@scoutsvictoria.com.au ASAP.

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