The competitive large stream is for larger events that have broad reach across the state.
The application form for the large stream is more detailed, with additional assessment criteria. It also requires mandatory documentation and matched funding contributions.
Note: Organisations eligible under the RMFEF can apply for over $50,000 in the large stream.
Applications under this stream need to meet all eligibility criteria and address the assessment criteria, including attendance requirements.
These criteria are in the following table. Use it as a checklist before you submit your application.
Large stream eligibility criteria
Does your application meet this eligibility criteria?
| Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| MFE Program objectives | The event must meet and clearly demonstrate alignment with both the objectives listed in the ‘Introduction’. |
| All Victorians welcome | The event must be open and free for the Victorian public to attend, not just the organisation’s members. The application must outline how the event will be promoted to members of the general public. The promotional material for the event must clearly state that entry is free. |
| Attendance requirements | Metropolitan organisations must have a minimum of 1,500 people attend the event. However, to be eligible to receive the full amount, see ‘Large stream attendance funding thresholds’. Rural and regional, and new and emerging community organisations and events, must have a minimum of 600 people attend the event. However, to be eligible to receive the full amount, see ‘Large stream attendance funding thresholds’. The event is either a stand-alone event or a series of events with the same theme and focus, lasting no longer than 30 days. |
| Budget | Costs must be clear, accurate, reasonable and demonstrate strong value for public money. The budget section must be completed, with grant funds requested broken down by expenditure. Any unsupported costs will be removed from the eligible grant funding offered (see ‘What costs are not supported’). Note: Check that the requested grant amount aligns with the minimum attendance thresholds (see ‘Large stream attendance and funding thresholds’). A Total Event Budget document must be attached showing all income and expenditure for the event. Note: Check that the requested grant amount aligns with the minimum matched funding requirements and this is clearly demonstrated in the Total Event Budget document (see ‘Matched funding for the large stream’). |
| Matched funding | All large stream applications must provide matched funding (see ‘Matched funding for the large stream’). |
| Mandatory documentation for auspiced grants only | Provide a current letter of support from an auspice organisation, where auspicing arrangements are in place (Note: Auspicing arrangements are available for new and emerging community organisations, and rural and regional organisations only). |
| Mandatory documentation for a social enterprise | The organisation’s constitution or foundation documents are required. |
| Additional mandatory documentation | Quotes for expenditure items of $10,000 and over, where MFE Program funds will be used to support the cost, or if costs can be broken down, attach these figures in a separate budget document (see ‘Mandatory documentation requirements for medium and large stream’). |
| No outstanding final reports | All overdue final reports from previous department-funded grants, including Multicultural Affairs, must be submitted by closing date of the round. To check your organisation is up to date with reporting, contact the Multicultural Affairs Programs and Grants team by:
|
| A complete application form | Address all questions in the application form and provide details of the proposed event activities. If you leave sections blank, your application will be deemed ineligible. You must attach a:
|
Large stream attendance and funding thresholds
Minimum attendance thresholds apply and vary, depending on how much grant funding is being requested. Refer to the following table.
| Attendance (metropolitan organisations) | Attendance (rural and regional, or new and emerging organisations or events) | Maximum funding eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| 1,500 | 600 | $15,001 |
| 2,000 | 800 | $20,000 |
| 3,000 | 1,200 | $30,000 |
| 4,000 | 1,600 | $40,000 |
| 5,000+ | 2,000+ | $50,000 |
Matched funding for the large stream
The MFE Program provides an opportunity for the Victorian Government to co-invest in multicultural festivals and events. It forms part of the eligibility criteria for the large stream. Matched funding is not required under the small or medium stream. Matched funding is not required for large stream applications under the RMFEF program.
Funding provided under the MFE Program is considered a contribution to total event costs, and events should not rely on the contributions of this program. Your matched funding can come from:
- your organisation
- other sources, such as partners and other grants.
A portion of matched funding can be contributed in-kind.
It is important to consider that different ratios apply. Organisations applying under the large stream will only be eligible to receive the amount of funding they have matched, according to the requirements in the following table.
For example, if you are a metropolitan organisation applying for $50,000 and can only demonstrate (through the budget section) that you can contribute $25,000 as matched funding, you will only be considered eligible to receive up to $25,000.
What is an in-kind contribution?
An in-kind contribution is a contribution of goods or services to your event, other than money, that would normally have a financial value. Some examples include:
- volunteer labour
- donated goods (such as an event space, equipment or food)
- donated services (such as project management or security).
All large stream applications must provide matched funding. The following table should guide you in meeting the matched funding.
| Criteria | Metropolitan organisations and events | New and emerging community organisations and events |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum matched funding requirement | Organisation $1:$1 Grant (minimum of one dollar for every dollar of Victorian Government funding). | Organisation $1:$3 Grant (minimum of one dollar for every three dollars of Victorian Government funding). |
| Cash contribution requirement | At least 50% of the matched contribution must be provided in cash (the remaining 50% can be through in-kind contributions). | Not required. |
| In-kind | Up to 50% of the organisation’s matched contribution can be provided in-kind. | Up to 100% of an organisation’s matched contribution can be provided in-kind. |
| Example | If we grant you $10,000, you will need to match this contribution with $10,000. In this example, up to $5,000 of your matched funding can be an in-kind contribution. | If we grant you $12,000, you will need to match this contribution with $4,000. In this example, all $4,000 of your matched funding can be an in-kind contribution. |
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