A just and equitable future for Melbourne's West Grants

This grant round marks the beginning of Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation's A just and equitable future for Melbourne's West Initiative, a long-term, 10-year commitment to supporting community-led change in Melbourne’s West.

The Foundation recognises that many organisations are already working with their communities to address social justice and inequality, and this Initiative seeks to build on and amplify those existing efforts. By doing so, we aim to advance collective action and systems change towards equity and justice in the West.

Please see the Theory of Change document for further information about this Initiative.

 

2025 grant round

This grant round represents the first of a three-phase, place-based approach, providing the foundation for this journey — strengthening the enabling conditions needed for long-term, community-led systems change.

Rather than funding individual programs or services, it supports the scaffolding that allows deeper collaboration, leadership, and shared purpose to take root. This includes investing in the often underfunded but essential work of connectors, convenors, and community anchors—those building trust, nurturing local leadership, and holding the 'messy middle' of collaboration. It also creates space for shared learning and reflection, helping to build the conditions for more aligned and community-defined action over time.

The intent is to walk and learn alongside community partners and leaders to shape and adapt the initiative together as it evolves. By nurturing these connections, the aim is to both co-design long-term work in the West and strengthen the ability of partners to act collectively - helping to advance economic and climate justice, and build a fairer, more resilient and thriving future.
 

Funding scope

• Up to 10 organisations working across a diversity of communities, issues, and locations in ‘the West’
• Initial funding for up to 2 years
• Maximum of $225,000 per grant
• Successful applicants will receive an additional $25,000 to directly support participation and collaboration in shaping this initiative

Focus

This grant round is focused on advancing a just and equitable Western Melbourne - where communities lead climate resilience, and shape fair and sustainable local economies.

It is envisioned that this future take shape through two interconnected areas:

Climate Justice:
where communities lead adaptation efforts, strengthening climate resilience in ways that address inequities and centre those most at risk.

Economic Justice:
where communities shape economies that build community ownership, share power, and support people and planet into the future.

These two areas are deeply connected - climate resilience and economic justice must go hand in hand to create long-term dignity, opportunity, and wellbeing. In pursuing them, we also recognise that housing and other community priorities are essential means of achieving resilience and equity.
 

Eligibility

Organisations must be:

• Endorsed as a Tax Concession Charity (TCC) and as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) as covered by Item 1 of the table in section 30-15 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.
• Australian charities registered and operating in Victoria, particularly Greater Melbourne.
• Physically located in, or able to evidence, deep connection with a community or communities in Melbourne’s West.

Please refer to the 2025 A just and equitable future for Melbourne's West Grant Guidelines for detailed information about the grant round, including eligibility.

A just and equitable future for Melbourne's West - Guidelines

Access the guidelines document