Business Facade Improvement Grant 2025-26

The ‘Business Façade Improvement Grant' seeks to support local businesses and commercial property owners in Stonnington to carry out project works to upgrade external facade of the building including fixtures and fittings that enhance the visual appearance of their shopfronts to make our commercial precincts more attractive, safe and inviting.

A total pool of $75,000 is available (subject to FY25/26 budget approval by Council) and businesses/property owners can apply for a grant of between $2,000 (exclusive of GST) and $5,000 (exclusive of GST) for enhancements on their property. The Grant has been developed to provide a 50/50 matched funding with the applicant. The City of Stonnington will provide 50% of the cost of the improvement with grants up to a maximum of $5000, with the remaining 50% to be contributed by the applicant. Funds must be matched dollar for dollar with the Grant awarded.

Approved projects must be commenced before 15 September 2025 and completed by 30 April 2026. 

Visit the 'Business Facade Improvement Grants' webpage for more information. Click HERE to download the Grant Guidelines.

Key Dates:

If you have any queries regarding the grants or the application please contact the Stonnington Business Concierge on businessconcierge@stonnington.vic.gov.au or 03 8290 1333.

The following documents are required as part of your application:

• Evidence of business ownership
• Evidence of current public liability insurance
• Evidence to confirm the business income is below $2 million per annum (income statement)
• Minimum of 2 high resolution ‘before’ photos
• Evidence of permits, approvals and licenses that have been attained or are in the process of being acquired
• Evidence of relevant business insurances
• Evidence of written consent from the property owner for the project work (if activity affects the property)
• Evidence of how the project will be funded (only applications providing sufficient financial documentation will be assessed)
• Evidence of a signed commercial property lease arrangement within the City of Stonnington extending beyond 30 June 2026, and/or
• Evidence of ownership of a commercial property located in the City of Stonnington
• Comprehensive project budget
• Minimum of 2 verified written quotes for each component of the project to demonstrate that the project budget is realistic
• Comprehensive project plan, drawings and timeline.

To be eligible the applicant must meet the following criteria:

• read and understood the Business Improvement Grant
• must deliver the project at a property/business located within the City of Stonnington
• be a legally constituted entity or a registered business and have an active Australian Business Number (ABN)
• have a demonstrated investment in the city including:
  • a signed commercial property lease arrangement within the City of Stonnington extending beyond 30 June 2026, and/or
  • ownership of a commercial property (tenanted or vacant) located in the City of Stonnington
• have written permission from all affected property owners to undertake these works (if project impacts yours and/or adjacent properties)
• have a total business turnover of less than $2 million in the previous financial year for the commercial business located within Stonnington
• provide verified financial evidence that the applicant has sufficient funds available to finance the complete project without the support of the City of Stonnington’s grant
• be delivering a project that improves a business façade on the ground floor and/or first floor of a commercial property within a commercial precinct in the City of Stonnington
• submit a comprehensive project plan that aligns with the aims of the grant
• have a project that will be completed between 15 September 2025 – 30 April 2026 after a successful funding agreement is executed
• have all appropriate insurances, permits and licenses for the proposed project or can demonstrate that the project has been discussed with the relevant authorities including but not limited to the City of Stonnington’s Planning, Building, Local Laws and Health departments, and relevant paperwork for these processes have been lodged
• provide proof that the applicant holds a current Public Liability Insurance of no less than $20 million
• have no pending acquittals or debts to the City of Stonnington or have failed to comply with the terms and conditions of any previous funding agreement with the City of Stonnington
• only submit one grant application per property
• advised all affected stakeholders of the works to be completed.

Ineligible costs:

This grant will not fund any general business operation expenses such as, but not limited to wages, salaries, or administrative overheads. Further details on eligibility and requirements can be found in the Grant Guidelines.