Equality and Respect Grant

Monash Council has a proud history as a leader in promoting gender equity within our community and workplace and believe we should all feel safe, respected and included.

We remain committed to gender equity, diversity and inclusion and actively work towards the prevention of violence against women and family violence.

The Monash Equality and Respect Grant has been established as part of our Monash Community Grants Program to support organisations working in the primary prevention of family violence and violence against women sector - with a particular focus on reaching our multicultural communities.

Eligible organisations can apply for a one-off grant to deliver community education and capacity building programs that focus on changing attitudes, behaviours and social conditions that prevent violence against women and family violence

Capacity building programs funded through this grant may include topics such as:

  • Understanding the link between gender inequality and family violence or violence against women.
  • Primary prevention of family violence and violence against women
  • Responding appropriately to disclosures of family violence and violence against women
  • Building the skills and confidence to be an active bystander.

This grant is applicable to our existing grant funded groups as well as organisations not yet funded by Council.

Funding available

Funding of $52,000 (excluding GST) is available to one successful applicant.

The grant will open on Monday 1 September 2025 and close on Thursday 25 September 2025.

Eligibility

Eligibility for the Equality and Respect Grant is consistent with the Monash Community Grants Program.

To be eligible to receive a Grant, applicants must:

  • Have a primary purpose to deliver services or programs that are focused on the primary prevention of family violence and violence against women.
  • Provide their services within the City of Monash boundaries.
  • Maintain public liability insurance cover for a minimum of $20 million.
  • Have no debts to Council and have completed all previous Monash funding acquittal requirements.
  • Be able to deliver the project by 30 June 2026.

Previous funding from other Monash Council grant programs has no effect on an applicant’s eligibility to apply.

For a full list of eligibility requirements, please read the Monash Community Grants Policy(PDF, 329KB)

If you have an idea, please contact the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion team at DEI@monash.vic.gov.au or call 9518 3219.

What won’t be funded

The Grant is guided by the overarching Monash Community Grants Program Policy(PDF, 329KB), which includes a list of items that are not eligible for funding.

A full list can be found in the above Policy and includes the following that will not be funded:

  • Commercial or for-profit projects or services.
  • Travel.
  • Gifts and prizes.
  • Groups who meet in venues that have electronic gaming machines.  
  • Projects or services that are inconsistent with Council’s objectives or partisan political in nature.
  • Projects or services that duplicate other existing projects or services delivered by Council or already funded by Council.

Application process

Step 1.Read guidelines

Please read the description below each stream to determine which grant is the most appropriate for your project and/or your organisation.

For more information, please read Monash Equality and Respect Grant Guidelines(PDF, 193KB)

Step 2.Apply

Apply online through SmartyGrants:

SmartyGrants portal

Step 3.Assessment

Applications will be checked for eligibility, then reviewed internally by Council officers and assessed against the Assessment Criteria listed below.

  1. Demonstrated knowledge and experience as a service provider of primary prevention of family violence and violence against women.
  2. Evidence of an understanding of working with multicultural and linguistically diverse communities.
  3. The ability and understanding to meet the community group needs for the delivery of the project.
  4. The proposed approach to developing, delivering and evaluating the project.
  5. The capacity of the organisation to undertake the project.  
  6. Budget expenditure.   

Step 4.Timeframe

Applications will close on Thursday 25 September 2025.

  • Applications will be assessed by an internal Council Officer Panel.
  • Applicants will receive a response from Council mid-October. 
  • Once receiving notification of a successful application, the project must commence and be completed by 30 June 2026. 

The successful applicant will be formally acknowledged at the November Council meeting.

Step 5.Acquittal

An online acquittal must be completed through SmartyGrants at the conclusion of the funded activity.

A post evaluation meeting between Council officers and the successful funding organisation will be required. 

Step 6.More information

For more information about the Monash Equality and Respect Grant please email us at DEI@monash.vic.gov.au or call the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion team on 9518 3219.

For assistance with Smartygrants, email us at monash.grants@monash.vic.gov.au or call the Community Grants Team on 9518 3555.

Contact Us

Phone

9518 3219

Email

DEI@monash.vic.gov.au
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