How the Emergency Relief Fund works
- Grants of up to $20,000 are available for eligible organisations to deliver emergency relief projects and services.
- Projects must start after Council approval. Applications for projects that have already commenced or supplies already purchased will not be considered.
If the Emergency Relief Fund budget allocation is exhausted before May, the Program will be suspended immediately. Applicants will be advised if their application cannot be processed.
Read the full list of eligibility criteria and requirements in the Community Grants Guidelines (PDF).
What can be funded
To be eligible for an Emergency Relief Fund grant, your project must:
- Provide immediate and essential relief to residents of Knox experiencing hardship.
- Be for supplies or services to meet urgent needs (e.g. food, toiletries, blankets).
- Be delivered within 12 months of receiving the grant.
- Be for an amount of up to $20,000.
What cannot be funded
The Emergency Relief Fund does not support:
- Requests that can be funded through other Council grant programs.
- Regular operational costs your organisation already budgets for.
- Fundraising, prizes, sponsorships or donations.
- Applications submitted after an event has taken place or items have been purchased.
Refer to the guidelines for the full list of exclusions.
Who can apply
To apply, organisations must:
- Be a not-for-profit legal entity providing direct benefit to Knox residents.
- Be incorporated or auspiced by an eligible incorporated not-for-profit organisation.
- Have an Australian Business Number (ABN) or complete a Statement by Supplier form.
- Have a governing body responsible for managing the grant.
- Hold current public liability insurance for the activity.
- Have provided evidence of expenditure for any previous Council grant.
- Have no outstanding debts to Council.
- Not operate electronic gaming machines.
Who cannot apply
- Individuals and profit-making businesses.
- Organisations without incorporation or an eligible auspice.
- Organisations with outstanding acquittal reports to Council.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted online via SmartyGrants.
We aim to acknowledge your application within 5 business days of receiving it. Your application must clearly show how it will deliver urgent relief to the Knox community.
If your organisation is auspiced, an Auspice Declaration Form must be submitted with your application.
Apply for an Emergency Relief Grant
Key dates for application submissions
Emergency Relief Fund applications are considered at Council meetings held monthly.
| 23 June 2025 | Submission deadline for July Council Meeting |
| 14 July 2025 | July Council Meeting |
| 21 July 2025 | Submission deadline for August Council Meeting |
| 11 August 2025 | August Council Meeting |
| 18 August 2025 | Submission deadline for September Council Meeting |
| 8 September 2025 | September Council Meeting |
| 22 September 2025 | Submission deadline for October Council Meeting |
| 13 October 2025 | October Council Meeting |
| 20 October 2025 | Submission deadline for November Council Meeting |
| 10 November 2025 | November Council Meeting |
| 17 November 2025 | Submission deadline for December Council Meeting |
| 8 December 2025 | December Council Meeting |
Note: Your project must start after the Council meeting date where your application is being considered.
Grant acquittal
Successful applicants must submit an acquittal report online within 12 months of receiving the grant. You will receive an email directly with instructions on how to complete the acquittal.
This report must include proof of expenditure, such as receipts or invoices, and a summary of how the funding was used to support Knox residents in need.
Need help?
Contact our Community Partnerships Team — we aim to respond to grant enquiries within 3 business days.
Phone: 9298 8000
Email: [email protected]
