Community Grants and Funding Opportunities

The Growing Football Fund is designed to support the coaches and players of tomorrow by creating more opportunities for women and girls in football. 

The primary objective of the Growing Football Community Grants Program is to provide tangible support to clubs and associations, with a focus on initiatives that look to attract or retain women and girls in football. 

The Community Grant Program will also aim to:

• provide quality experiences for new and returning football participants that encourage ongoing participation in football.

• support the education and development of community coaches that improve the skills and knowledge of coaches to provide quality football experiences.

• support clubs and associations in developing inclusive and safe environments to support the retention of women and girls at their club. 

Transgrid’s Community Partnerships Program offers grants of up to $5,000  for initiatives that create a lasting, practical benefit in communities near Transgrid projects or existing infrastructure.

Since 2023, more than 470 organisations have received over $1.9 million in Transgrid grants for a range of initiatives spanning from community infrastructure, to workshops, along with inclusivity and accessibility projects.

Applications are accepted from community groups which fit the following criteria: not-for-profit organisations, sporting groups, mens/womens sheds, etc.

The purpose of this grant opportunity is designed to strengthen the diagnosis and management of FASD across Australian communities. By providing targeted funding, the program will enhance local capacity for screening, diagnosis, and ongoing monitoring, while fostering greater community awareness of the dangers associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy or when planning to conceive. 

This grant opportunity will be made available through two (2) streams.

Stream 1: FASD Diagnostic Services 

Stream 2: Innovative Models of Care 

Applicants must nominate one primary stream that best aligns with the core purpose of the activities being proposed. 

Where activities could align to both streams, applicants should select the stream that reflects the main intent and outcomes of the proposal. Funding and reporting requirements will align to the nominated stream. 

To be eligible you must be one of the following entity types:

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and /or Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006
• Company 
• Corporate Commonwealth Entity
• Non-Corporate Commonwealth Statutory Authority 
• Corporate State or Territory Entity 
• Non-corporate State or Territory Entity 
• Non-corporate State or Territory Statutory Authority
• Local Government
• Cooperative
• Incorporated Association
• Sole Trader 
• Statutory Entity 
• Partnership
• Unincorporated Association.

This grant opportunity supports the delivery of evidence-informed alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment services that help reduce the harms associated with AOD use and support recovery. 

Funding will support withdrawal management, rehabilitation, aftercare and other treatment pathways that improve access to care, respond to individual needs, and strengthen connections to broader health and social supports. 

The grant opportunity aims to improve treatment access and outcomes, reduce harmful AOD use and psychological distress, enhance social inclusion and economic participation, and contribute to long-term reductions in AOD-related harm.

To be eligible you must be one of the following entity types:

• an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and /or Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 
• a Company
• a Cooperative
• a Corporate State or Territory Entity
• an Incorporated Association
• a Sole Trader 
• a Statutory Entity 
• a Partnership
• an Unincorporated Association.

This grant opportunity aims to prevent and minimise the health, social, cultural and economic harms of Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) use among individuals, families and communities. 

Funding under this grant opportunity will be made available through the following four (4) nationally focused streams.

Stream 1: National AOD Prevention

Stream 2: National AOD Early Intervention

Stream 3: National AOD Treatment

Stream 4: National AOD Workforce/ System Enablers

Applicants must nominate one primary stream that best aligns with the core purpose of the activities being proposed. 

Where activities could align to more than one stream, applicants should select the stream that reflects the main intent and outcomes of the proposal. Funding and reporting requirements will align to the nominated stream. 

To be eligible you must be one of the following entity types:

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and /or Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006
• a Company
• a Corporate State or Territory Entity 
• a Non-corporate State or Territory Entity 
• a Cooperative
• an Incorporated Association
• a Sole Trader  
• a Statutory Entity 
• a Partnership
• an Unincorporated Association.

Four Year Investment for Organisations provides multi-year investment for arts and cultural organisations. This enables organisations to plan with longer-term certainty and increase their capacity to leverage other investment, support and collaborations.

The application process for Four Year Investment requires a pre-application to determine an organisation’s eligibility to apply to the category. If your organisation meets the criteria, your pre-application will be confirmed, and you will be eligible to make an application.

Your organisation must demonstrate a high degree of artistic achievement, along with a compelling four year vision for the 2029–32 period. To be competitive, your organisation will also need to show that it is well governed, effectively managed, and generates diverse income streams.

It is the intention of this category to invest in organisations that are part of the small to medium arts and cultural sector. Large, well-resourced organisations or institutions seeking investment in multi-year arts programs may not be a priority for investment in this category.

Investment for approved organisations will support programs of activity from 1 January 2029 to 31 December 2032.

The minimum eligible grant request for this category is $100,000 per year, over the four year investment period ($400,000 in total). The maximum eligible grant request is $550,000 per year over the four year investment period ($2,200,000 in total). Creative Australia will advise what level of investment your organisation may apply for.

Each year, Council provides an opportunity for charities, non-profit organisations and community groups within the Tamworth region to seek a contribution from Council to assist in the provision of their services to our community. This is known as the Annual Donations Program.

The Annual Donations Program objectives are to:

• support charities and community projects, events and activities which occur within the Tamworth Regional Council local government area, and are of benefit to the local community;
• foster or support new services, initiatives and resources which address the needs of the Tamworth regional community;
• improve awareness and use of community services and resources within the Tamworth Regional Council area; and
• encourage increased participation in local community activities within the Tamworth Regional Council area.

Applications are invited from not-for-profit organisations, charities, community groups and organisations located within the Tamworth Regional Council local government area, that provide a service to the Tamworth regional community which may be of a unique nature. Recipients of donation funding in previous years are welcome to reapply.

Organisations are eligible to apply for only one (1) donation per financial year, which is 1 July to 30 June.

Donations will not be made to individuals or organisations which operate on a for-profit (commercial) basis, or to branches of charities which fundraise for projects and activities outside Council’s area of jurisdiction. 

Building Digital Skills grants help organisations deliver free Be Connected digital literacy programs to older Australians in their community.

Building Digital Skills grants of up to $20,500 help organisations to support older Australians aged 50+ through free digital mentoring sessions. A range of resources and support materials are available to help organisations to deliver this program, including the learning courses available on the Be Connected learning site.

The Local Sporting Champions (LSC) program provides financial assistance for coaches, officials and competitors who meet any of the below age guidelines.

• Participants turning 13-18 attending state championships
• Participants turning 14-18 attending state or national championships
• Participants turning 15-18 attending state, national, or international championships

If successful, applicants will receive $500-$750 towards the cost of attending their championships.

• Base Grant: $500
• Applicants travelling 800km - 1999km to their nominated championships: + $100
• Applicants travelling internationally or greater than 2000km to their nominated championships: + $200
• Applicants residing in a rural electorate: + $50

Through the annual Grassroots Grants the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation aims to distribute approximately $500,000 annually to support eligible charities delivering meaningful outcomes in their local communities throughout the Hunter, Central Coast, Central West, Mid North Coast, New England and Northern Rivers regions of NSW

These grants are designed to support small-scale initiatives that can be delivered within 12 months to create meaningful impact.

Grassroots Grants

Funding for community-led initiatives that support the health and social wellbeing of communities in regional NSW.

• Funding available:  Between $25,000 - $50,000 (inc GST)

Grassroots Volunteer Grant

One standalone grant is available for a charity that relies on volunteers. The recipient will be required to allocate funds towards the volunteer experience through capacity building. This includes training or mentoring, volunteer program development and recruitment, or relevant system enhancements.

• Funding available:  $25,000 (inc GST)

The Local Para Champions (LPC) program provides financial assistance for participants who are attending championships that are specifically for athletes with a disability, and who also meet the following age guidelines.

• Participants turning 13-24 attending state championships
• Participants turning 14-24 attending state or national championships
• Participants turning 15-24 attending state, national, or international championships

In addition to athletes with disability, the LPC program supports coaches, officials and other distinct support roles, such as guides and assistants who enable the sportsperson to participate. These applicants must be aged between 13 – 24 years of age.

If successful, applicants will receive $750-$1000 towards the cost of attending their championships

• Base Grant: $750
• Applicants travelling 800km - 1999km to their nominated championships: + $100
• Applicants travelling internationally or greater than 2000km to their nominated championships: + $200
• Applicants residing in a rural electorate: + $50

The purpose of this grant opportunity is to raise awareness of stillbirth and strengthen education on stillbirth prevention amongst priority cohorts. 

The objectives of the grant opportunity are to:

• deliver evidence-based stillbirth education and awareness activities to priority cohorts using accessible, culturally appropriate and trauma-informed approaches
• support priority cohorts to understand key evidence-based stillbirth prevention messages and practical actions that may reduce the risk of stillbirth
• strengthen engagement with priority cohorts and relevant services to co-design and deliver stillbirth education and awareness resources that are appropriate, accessible and effective
• encourage innovative delivery models that reach communities less likely to access antenatal care and/or more likely to experience higher rates of stillbirth
• evaluate the reach and effectiveness of stillbirth education and awareness program activities to inform future delivery and continuous improvement.

The intended outcomes of the grant opportunity are to:

• increase education and awareness of stillbirth amongst priority cohorts
• improve knowledge of evidence-based actions that can be taken to reduce the risk of stillbirth amongst priority cohort/s.

To be eligible you must be one of the following entity types: 

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and /or Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 
• Company 
• Cooperative 
• Incorporated Association 
• Sole Trader 
• Partnership 

Applications can only be accepted from: 

• Universities 
• Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 
• Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) 
• National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) 
• Women's Health Services and Women's Health Networks 
• charity/not-for-profit organisations 
• Primary Health Networks (PHNs) 
• Local Hospital Networks (LHNs) and public health services.

The CommBank Next Chapter is CommBank's commitment to help end financial abuse and support people on their road to long-term financial independence.

Through Next Chapter Innovation, they partner with community organisations to develop practical responses to financial abuse. Recognising that some of the most effective solutions are shaped by the people closest to the issue, drawing on lived experience, frontline expertise and strong community connections.

Since launching in 2023, Next Chapter Innovation has supported organisations addressing complex and emerging forms of financial abuse, including:

• Technology-facilitated abuse
• Dowry abuse
• Financial abuse in small business settings
• Pathways to recovery after financial abuse
• Financial abuse affecting First Nations communities

Next Chapter Innovation 2026 is for eligible organisations developing innovative approaches to identifying, responding or preventing financial abuse of older people.

The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Acceleration Grant offers women with an idea, cause, or vision the chance to create impact in rural and emerging industries and communities by providing opportunities for learning and development to bring their vision to life.

The Grant is open to all women involved in rural and emerging industries, and rural and regional businesses and communities. Women must be over the age of 18, and must be Australian citizens or permanent residents. No formal qualifications are required.

• Seven x $7,000 Acceleration Grants for learning and development are awarded each year.
• Applicants are required to have an idea, a cause or a vision in its early stages.
• The grants are awarded on merit, not per State/Territory.
• Successful AgriFutures Rural Women's Acceleration Grant applicants can apply for the AgriFutures Rural Women's Award in the future.

Energy Consumers Australia (ECA)’s Grants Program supports work that provides a strong, evidence base for positive system changes that benefit households and small businesses.

Influence Grants: these grants are designed to target immediate influence on a specific and achievable goal regarding matters of material significance to residential and small business energy consumers. Influence Grants projects tend to be less complex than Collaboration Grants and are typically 12-18 months in duration.

Collaboration Grants: these grants support complex, multi-year projects and often involve more than one project partner. Collaboration Grants will focus on contributing to policy or advocacy outcomes and will involve close cooperation with advocates and other stakeholders. These projects will answer key questions identified in their 3-Year Plan and will involve ECA as a collaborator. As these programs fund projects, successful applications will outline a clear project structure with a beginning, middle and end. Funding will not be provided for ongoing activity or an organisation’s BAU.

To be eligible you must be either:

• A not-for profit organisation within Australia, with a purpose or a mandate that permits you to carry out advocacy for household and small business energy consumers. This can include a social enterprise that is registered as a not-for-profit within Australia; or
• A bonafide research organisation with a public purpose.

Further requirements for all grantees:

• An Australian Business Number (ABN)
• A legal entity with the capacity to enter into a legally binding funding agreement

Ineligible applicants include councils, government agencies, an unincorporated association, or an overseas organisation.

Organisations with specialist expertise in LGBTIQA+ health and wellbeing are invited to apply for one-off competitive grants to support new and existing initiatives at the local, regional and national level that will foster access to appropriate, culturally sound and inclusive health care. It is expected that this will be the final substantive LGBTIQA+ Health Program (LHP) disbursement for the 2026-2027 financial year.

The primary objective of the LGBTIQA+ Health Program (LHP) is to support LGBTIQA+ community-led organisations and, where appropriate, generalist organisations to deliver new services or expand existing services, in partnership with LGBTIQA+ communities.

The LHP will prioritise resources and opportunities for LGBTIQA+ community-led organisations, or generalist organisations that have written support from at least one LGBTIQA+ organisation. Successful proposals must show demonstrated expertise in the delivery of LGBTIQA+ health and wellbeing services, genuine partnerships, and build the
capacity and leadership of LGBTIQA+ organisations.

The Connect IRL Phase 2 grant aims to support children and young people aged 8-24 from identified priority youth cohorts. This has been influenced through the recent Space to Speak consultation.

• Access safe, welcoming and inclusive spaces to connect with others and participate in community life and build meaningful relationships and social connections that foster a stronger sense of belonging and inclusion.
• Receive enhanced and targeted mentoring including trauma-informed and lived experience approaches, and to enable mentors to more effectively support them to form meaningful connections in real life environments.
• Respond to emerging and locally identified needs through initiatives that strengthen community engagement and create opportunities for input in decisions that affect them.
• Develop skills, confidence and capabilities needed to navigate transitions, pursue education and employment opportunities and actively contribute to their communities through civic, leadership or through structured mentoring programs that promote healthy relationships, empathy, mutual respect, and active civic participation.
• Strengthen offline connections by delivering inclusive, pro-social activities and safe discussion spaces that support mental health, physical health, practical skill development and healthy relationships that foster mutual understanding, reduce isolation, and build peer networks — with a focus on those from marginalised, diverse, or geographically isolated communities.

Eligibility

All applicants are required to meet the following eligibility criteria to be eligible to apply for the grant program you must be:

• Not for profit companies limited by guarantee, registered with the ACNC and/or with DGR status.
• NSW associations or non-distributing co-operatives registered with NSW Fair Trading.
• Local Aboriginal Land Councils.
• Not-for-profit Indigenous corporations registered with the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations.
• NSW local councils operating under the Local Government Act 1993.
• Not-for-profit entities incorporated under an Act of Parliament.
• Incorporated Association registered outside of NSW but with an Australian Registered Body Number (ARBN).

The Holiday Break Grants Program is an NSW Government initiative supporting free, structured activities for young people aged 12–24 during school holidays, improving access to inclusive, high-quality recreational and social opportunities.

Successful applications funded under this grant round will address all the Program objectives:

1. Increase access to activities Increase the availability of free, structured recreational and social activities for young people aged 12–24 years during school holiday periods.
2. Reduce barriers to participation Address financial, geographic and accessibility barriers that may limit young people’s ability to participate in activities within their local communities.
3. Support inclusive and targeted delivery Encourage activities that are inclusive and responsive to the needs of diverse groups of young people, particularly those who may experience disadvantage or exclusion.
4. Promote positive youth development Support activities that build young people’s skills, confidence, creativity and social connection in a safe and supportive environment.
5. Encourage community engagement and connection Strengthen connections between young people, their peers and their local communities through meaningful participation in shared activities.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for the grant program you must be:

Local government organisations, boards or groups:

• NSW local councils operating under the Local Government Act 1993 (LG Act)
• Joint Organisations (s400O of the LG Act)
• Regional Organisations of Councils (which are voluntary groupings of councils).
• the Lord Howe Island Board
• the Unincorporated Far West group
• Section 355 Committees of Councils (must apply in the name of the relevant Council and must have permission to apply)

Indigenous and Aboriginal Organisations

• a Local Aboriginal Land Council
• Not-for-profit Indigenous Corporation (registered under Corporations (Aboriginal and /or Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006)

Other

• Not-for-profit organisations and community organisations registered with the Australian Charities and not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)
• Incorporated organisations registered with NSW Fair Trading under the Associations Incorporations Act 2009.

Other Mandatory Criteria

The following are mandatory program requirements:

• maintain adequate and current insurance cover including, but not limited to Workers Compensation Insurance, Professional Indemnity Insurance, Personal Accident Insurance. 
• have public liability insurance of at least $10 million per claim or be willing to purchase it. Please note that the Office for Youth will not enter into a Funding Agreement with an eligible entity until the evidence of such an insurance is provided. 
• address the NSW National Redress Scheme sanctions. 
• not have outstanding acquittals with the Department of Communities and Justice or the Office for Youth.
• The organisation must be operating in NSW, and all proposed activities or events must be delivered in NSW for young people living in NSW. LGAs or Unincorporated Areas on border locations within NSW may be eligible to conduct projects and activities in their neighbouring state if declared during the application process.
• Activities or events must be held during relevant school holidays period.
• Each organisation may submit one application only under this program and cannot be included as a downstream recipient in another application.

The Health and Development Participation (HDP) Grant funding aims to support early learning service providers to embed suitable strategies to enable their partnership, and children’s participation, in the Health and Development Checks in Early Learning Services (HDC) Program and related capacity building supports. The key objective of the HDP Grant is to increase awareness of and engagement with the HDC Program.

Stream 1 is designed for eligible long day care and community preschools.

Who can apply

• Not-for-profit community preschool (centre based); 
• Not-for-profit long day care (as identified in the National Quality Agenda IT system, or where sufficient evidence is provided upon request), including a local government managed service; 
• For-profit providers operating up to 3 long day care services (as identified in the National Quality Agenda IT system); 

The Health and Development Participation (HDP) Grant funding aims to support early learning service providers to embed suitable strategies to enable their partnership, and children’s participation, in the Health and Development Checks in Early Learning Services (HDC) Program and related capacity building supports. The key objective of the HDP Grant is to increase awareness of and engagement with the HDC Program.

Stream 2 is designed for eligible early-leaning led Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.

Who can apply

Be an approved EL service operated by an Approved Provider who meets the definition of an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) under Clause 44 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap (2020), and confirm that the approved EL service is: 

• incorporated under relevant legislation and not-for-profit; and   
• controlled and operated by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people; and  
• connected to the community, or communities, in which they deliver the services; and 
• governed by a majority Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander governing body.