Up to $400,000 to support organisations to improve their internal capability, strengthen governance and leadership, enhance service delivery, and better support multicultural and multifaith communities.
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What is the Multicultural Capacity Building Program (MCBP)?
The Multicultural Capacity Building Program (MCBP) 2025–26 is a Victorian Government grant program designed to strengthen the capacity, sustainability and effectiveness of multicultural community organisations across Victoria.
Delivered by the Department of Premier and Cabinet, the program supports organisations to improve their internal capability, strengthen governance and leadership, enhance service delivery, and better support multicultural and multifaith communities. The program places a strong priority on organisations working with new and emerging communities and those based in rural and regional Victoria.
This is a one-year, competitive grant program, with funding awarded at the discretion of the Minister for Multicultural Affairs.
Multicultural Capacity Building Program level of support
The program offers three funding streams, with applicants able to submit one application only:
- Small Stream: up to $10,000
- Medium Stream: $10,001 to $100,000
- Large Stream: $100,001 to $400,000
Co-contribution:
- No co-contribution is required for any funding stream.
- Funding is provided as a grant, with payments made in accordance with milestones set out in the funding agreement.
- Organisations registered for GST will receive GST on top of the grant amount awarded. Organisations not registered for GST will receive the grant amount only.
Multicultural Capacity Building Program important dates
- Applications close: 19 February 2026 at 3:00pm (AEDT)
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
Multicultural Capacity Building Program objectives
The Multicultural Capacity Building Program aims to:
- Strengthen organisational sustainability through targeted capacity-building activities
- Improve governance, leadership, systems and operational effectiveness
- Support day-to-day operations of multicultural organisations
- Foster collaboration between multicultural organisations, government and communities
- Increase long-term impact and resilience of organisations supporting multicultural Victorians
Projects and expenditure eligible for Multicultural Capacity Building Program support
Funded activities must support organisational capacity building or day-to-day operations.
Examples of Eligible Activities
1. Leadership, Governance & Strategy
- Leadership and governance training
- Board development and structural reviews
- Strategic planning and sustainability planning
- Risk management and emergency response planning
2. Partnerships and Collaboration
- Building partnerships and networks
- Communities of practice
- Knowledge sharing initiatives
3. Workforce Development
- Staff and volunteer training and mentoring
- Professional development programs
- Capability building for emergency or unexpected situations
4. Digital Capability & Communications
- Website development
- Communications planning
- Cyber security improvements
5. Performance and Impact
- Measuring outcomes and organisational impact
- Research and service improvement initiatives
6. Operational Support
- Rent, utilities and administrative costs
- Staffing and project management
- Safety and wellbeing measures
7. Professional Services
- Legal, financial, consultancy and business planning services
8. Equipment
- Essential IT and office equipment
- Maximum $5,000 per item, must be fit-for-purpose
9. Volunteer Management
- Volunteer recruitment, training and retention
- Volunteer wellbeing and recognition initiatives
Ineligible Expenditure
Funding cannot be used for:
- Public liability insurance or other mandatory insurances
- Retrospective costs
- Activities extending beyond the program period
- Capital works or permanent infrastructure
- Fundraising-only activities
- Activities outside Victoria
- Interstate or international travel
- Gift cards
- Purchase of land
- Political activities
Other Multicultural Capacity Building Program important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Multicultural Capacity Building Program support
To be eligible, organisations must:
- Be a multicultural community organisation based and operating in Victoria
- Be not-for-profit and a legal entity
- Hold a current Australian Business Number (ABN)
- Be incorporated under relevant legislation or recognised as not-for-profit through governing documents
- Have no overdue reports for previously funded Victorian multicultural grants
- Agree to uphold the Victorian Government Values Statement and Commitment to Social Cohesion
The following are not eligible:
- For-profit businesses
- Sole traders and individuals
- Local government authorities
- Charitable trusts
- Schools, universities and TAFEs (excluding eligible community language schools)
- Political organisations
- Organisations not owned, governed or primarily led by members of a multicultural community
Multicultural Capacity Building Program assessment criteria
Eligible applications will be assessed based on the following criteria. Weightings apply to Medium and Large Stream applications only.
1. Alignment with Program Objectives (30%)
Applicants must clearly demonstrate how the proposed project:
- Builds organisational capacity or strengthens internal systems
- Improves workforce capability or leadership effectiveness
- Enhances service delivery for multicultural communities
- Supports long-term organisational sustainability
Strong applications clearly link activities to the stated objectives of the program.
2. Demonstrated Need (25%)
Applicants should clearly articulate:
- The specific challenge, gap or opportunity facing the organisation
- Why the project is needed now
- How the issue impacts the organisation or the communities it serves
- Evidence supporting the identified need (e.g. demand, growth, service pressure, governance gaps)
3. Impact (25%)
Applications should outline:
- The long-term benefits of the project for the organisation
- Expected outcomes for multicultural communities
- How improvements will be sustained beyond the funding period
- How success and impact will be measured
4. Value for Public Money (20%)
Applicants must provide:
- A clear, realistic and well-justified budget
- Evidence that costs are reasonable and necessary
- Demonstration that the project delivers strong outcomes relative to the funding requested
- Confidence that public funds will be used efficiently and responsibly
How do I get the Multicultural Capacity Building Program?
Applicants must:
- Read and understand the guidelines.
- Ensure eligibility for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria will not be considered.
- Deliver the project/s as outlined in the application.
- Provide complete information requirements.
To successfully receive funding, applicants should be able to demonstrate:
- Strong alignment with the program’s capacity-building objectives
- Clear and evidence-based organisational need
- Meaningful and measurable outcomes for multicultural communities
- Organisational capability to deliver the proposed activities
- Sound governance, financial management and compliance history
- Strong partnerships (where required) that add genuine value
- A clear, realistic and well-costed budget that represents value for public money
Information to prepare for the Multicultural Capacity Building Program application
Depending on the funding stream, applicants may need to prepare:
- Evidence of organisational reach within the community
- Financial statements for 2022–23 and 2023–24
- Project plan (Medium and Large streams)
- Detailed budget and quotes for items over $10,000
- Partnership letters (Large stream only)
- Confirmation of compliance with Victorian Government Values
See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.
Applying for the Multicultural Capacity Building Program
Applications must be submitted online via the Victorian Government Grants Gateway.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Multicultural Capacity Building Program resources
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