Welcome to the new Community Groups eNews.
New name, new look!
Formerly known as Let's Be Frank, this eNews has been reimagined to offer a clear and dedicated space for Community Groups in Frankston City. Whether you're looking for resources, updates on community initiatives or opportunities to connect, this is the place to stay informed.
Thank you to everyone who participated in our recent survey! Your feedback has helped shape this new direction, and we’re excited to bring content tailored to your needs.
If you're wanting to stay up to date on what's going on in Frankston City more broadly, be sure to subscribe to Frankston City eNews.
If this Community Groups eNews no longer aligns with your interests, feel free to unsubscribe—no hard feelings :-)
In this edition, we cover:
- Frankston Seniors Festival EOI
- Volunteering Frankston Awards
- Imagine Frankston
- Funding Opportunities
- Training Opportunities
-from Frankston City Council's Community Strengthening department
Frankston Seniors Festival 2025
Expressions of Interest now open
The Frankston Seniors Festival (FSF) will be held from 6 - 31 October 2025. It is part of the Victorian Seniors Festival, a state-wide Victorian Government initiative. The festival is for Victorians over the age of 60 and focuses on providing fun and good times with opportunities to participate in events and activities for free or low cost.
We strive to provide a program which is community-led, low cost and inclusive, designed to bring seniors together to enjoy themselves, learn new skills and make new friends.
The Event Holder Application form is now open and will close the 16 May 2025.
If eligible, there are $300 Festival Support Funds available per event to assist with the cost of holding an event.
Event holders manage their own events (including planning, taking bookings, delivering the event).
Volunteering Frankston Awards
Nominations now open
Do you know a dedicated volunteer or groups who commit their time to Frankston City and the wider community? You can recognise their efforts through the Volunteering Frankston Awards. Organisations and individuals are able to nominate volunteers or groups across the following 6 categories:
- Service
- Leadership
- Environmental and Animal Welfare
- Youth Community
- Senior Community
- Teamwork
All the organisations represented via individual and/or group nominations could be eligible for the $1,000 Organisation Award too (the organisation must be registered with Volunteering Frankston).
Nominations are now open and will close in National Volunteer Week on Friday 23 May 2025.
Promote your Events with Imagine Frankston
Join our Community and explore the possibilities with Imagine Frankston
Community groups and organisations are invited to be part of Imagine Frankston – your local platform for sharing events, activities, and what’s happening across the Frankston City area.
From workshops to festivals, fundraisers to open days – if you’re planning something for the community, we want to help you spread the word!
Funding Opportunities
SilverChef Community Grants
The SilverChef Community Grants Program is open to registered charities and not-for-profits that use hospitality or food service to support disadvantaged communities.
Four grants worth $5,000 each are awarded each quarter globally. To be eligible, applicants should receive limited funding from other sources, have a clear and specific need for commercial kitchen equipment, and have been a registered charity or Not for Profit for a minimum of 12 months.
Closes 30 June 2025
Thrive Community Grants
Each year, Thrive Community Grants offer up to $50,000 to improve the social and emotional wellbeing of children and young people. They invest in smaller, local charities that provide children and young people with opportunities to connect and participate in community life.
Their priority is to support programs that bring children and/or young people (0–24 years) together to participate in activities that support social and emotional wellbeing.
Closes 30 May 2025
Emergency Sporting Equipment Grant Program
The Emergency Sporting Equipment Grant program provides funding for community sport and active recreation organisations across Victoria.
Access to this funding helps grassroots organisations replace or repair essential sport or first aid equipment that has been lost or destroyed because of unpreventable incidents, including bushfire, flood, significant storm, earthquake, theft, arson, or criminal damage.
Closes 31 May 2025
Community Inclusion
Grants will provide opportunities for social inclusion and social participation for people with disability in Victoria. Projects may include:
- Community awareness, education and engagement programs to promote social inclusion and address direct and indirect discrimination
- Promoting participation in cultural life.
- Programs to support social participation, to reduce social isolation and improve wellbeing and quality of life.
Apply from August 2025
Looking for funding opportunities?
Council have signed up to 'Grant Guru' so you have FREE access to search more than 1300 external grants worth more than $60 billion.
Register to receive emailed alerts for new grants, save your favourites and access tips to help you apply for grants.
Training Opportunities
Legal Education for the Community
Online or in person sessions available (FREE)
Peninsula Community Legal Centre (PCLC) offers Community Legal Education (CLE) to community groups and organisations on a range of common legal issues including family law, family violence, renter’s rights, fines, common legal issues for older people such as wills and powers of attorney, common legal issues for new arrivals, CALD communities, youth law issues, and more.
Targeted Recruitment and Engaging Young People
4 June 2025 9:30 - 12:30pm
Online Event (FREE)
It’s important to examine the make-up of our volunteer teams, what barriers may exist for specific cohorts and how you can encourage volunteers from different demographics.
This Volunteering Victoria session is interactive and focused on discussion-based scenarios, but also draws from the Volunteering Victoria Youth Ready Guide and Assessment to examine strategies specifically to engage young people.
Building an Inclusive Volunteer Program
28 May 2025 9:30 - 12:30pm
Online Event (FREE)
Volunteering has a powerful impact when it is accessible to all and reflects our diverse communities. However, developing and maintaining a truly inclusive volunteer program can be challenging.
This Volunteering Victoria interactive workshop will provide participants with the skills and knowledge needed to recruit, engage, and retain a diverse team of volunteers, including reviewing organisational procedures and workplace culture.
Australian Charities & Not for Profits Commission Governance Standards
Online Learning (FREE)
Understand the core requirements for running a registered charity with the ACNC’s free online module on Governance Standards. Learn how to meet compliance obligations and maintain good governance.
