Community groups across the Ararat, Northern Grampians and Pyrenees municipalities have a chance to bring local ideas to life with the opening of Ararat Wind Farm’s 2026 Sustainable Community Grants Fund.

The program, administered by Ararat Rural City Council on behalf of Ararat Wind Farm, supports initiatives that strengthen community connections, encourage environmental sustainability and improve health, education and wellbeing across the region.

This year the fund will offer grants of up to $7500 or $15,000 with a co-contribution.

The fund aims to support projects that: encourage innovative and sustainable community initiatives; improve health and education outcomes through local partnerships; strengthen social connections and community wellbeing; promote healthy and active lifestyles; and celebrate cultural diversity and creative community activities.

The fund has distributed more than $590,000 to local projects since it began in 2015.

Ararat Rural City Council chief executive Tim Harrison said the program was a way for local not-for-profit community clubs and organisations to progress important projects, both big and small.

“Last year projects that successfully received funding in our municipality included electrical works at the Elmhurst Golf Club, a new fridge for the Warrak Hall and a thermal-imaging camera for the Pomonal fire bridge,” he said.

“Funding was also allocated across the other shires to Grampians United Soccer Club for sporting equipment to suit a diversity of players, floor coverings for the Great Western Racing Club and energy efficiency improvements to the St Arnaud City Band Hall. 

“This shows the types of programs, projects and initiatives that can be funded by the Ararat Wind Farm, and I strongly encourage not-for-profits across the region to put forward an application for consideration.”

Applications for the 2026 Sustainable Community Grants Fund close on Monday, April 13. For application guidelines and an application form, people can visit www.ararat.vic.gov.au and search for ‘Wind Farm Grants’.

For further information, people can contact Phillippa Cairns on 0437 715 673 or email pcairns@ararat.vic.gov.au.

The entire April 1, 2026 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!