Sporting Club Grants Program 2025/2026

You're applying for a Sporting Club Grant? That's amazing! Follow these steps to ensure you submit the best possible application.

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 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."
• Category 5 - Governance and Engagement: "Up to $1,500 to strengthen governance practices and ensure long-term sustainability."

Scout Groups can submit up to 2 applications.

• Applications must be made to different categories and must be for different projects
• 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 are 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 run your current program to be safer or more accessible?
• Consider the three categories available to Scout Groups. Which category does your project ideas belong to?

We have created a list of ideas you could use for funding if you're stuck. Click here to download.

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
• About the program
• Strategic alignment to Active Victoria
• Program objectives and 2025-26 priorities
• 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:

• Section 6 - Eligible projects and costs
• Section 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 two 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:

• Section 8 - Assessment and approval
• Section 9 - Application question and guidance by category
• Section 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

For Category 2 applications, 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. 

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.

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.

Apply for a Sporting Club Grant

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
• About the program
• Strategic alignment to Active Victoria
• Program objectives and 2025-26 priorities
• Assessment and approval

Program Guidelines

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.

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

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

Section 1-4, 10-11

To make the process nice and easy we have prepared template applications for each category. The template tells you how to answer each question in sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 10 and 11. Print out the template, or have it open in another screen while you write your application.

Category 1 Template

Category 2 Template

Category 3 Template

Category 5 Template

Section 5-9

This part of the application is all our your specific project. 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 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.

Finishing your Application

Mistakes in your application 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 November 26 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 November 25.

Congratulations your 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 February. Until outcomes have been announced, don't start work on your project or make any project purchases.