Community Grants and Funding Opportunities

The foundation provides funding for two priority areas:

1. Children with physical &/or mental disabilities
Projects by community based organisations to support children with physical and/or mental disabilities or their carers, particularly projects seeking to address social isolation experienced by such children and their carers (Not including research projects).

2. Elderly people suffering mental disabilities

Projects by community based organisations to support elderly people suffering from mental disabilities (including dementia) or their carers, particularly projects seeking to address social isolation experienced by such elderly persons and their carers (Not including research projects).

The Steve Waugh Foundation supports children and young adults aged 0-25 years who have a rare disease with a prevalence of at least 2:100,000.

The Foundation will consider funding -

• Equipment
• Mobility Aids
• Communication Devices
• Therapy
• Treatment
• Some minor house renovations
• Items that improve the quality of life for the applicant and their family

To be eligible to apply:   

• You must be an Australian Citizen or an Australian permanent resident of at least five years to gain assistance from the Foundation and;
• Have a recognised rare disease as identified on ORPHANET: www.orpha.net, or if not recognised your medical specialist must confirm the disease is rare
• Have an Australian Medicare card
• Have already made an application for government funding assistance for the requested item, eg the NDIS
• The rare disease has been formally and officially diagnosed by a Paediatrician or other Medical Specialist
• You have and can provide evidence of the diagnosis of the rare disease signed off by a Paediatrician or other medical specialist
• You have and can provide medical, health and other documentation or support material required as part of your application

The auDA Foundation offers grants to eligible not-for-profit organisations or research institutions for proposals encouraging community projects, education and research activities that will enhance the utility of the internet for the benefit of the Australian community.

Eligible proposals must deliver grassroots, educational or research activities that will enhance the utility of the internet. We are keen to support projects that focus on the overarching themes of digital inclusion and digital innovation, and will achieve practical outcomes through innovative means, i.e., research and development undertaken for the purposes of acquiring new knowledge and/or creating new or improved processes or services.

To be eligible, a project must benefit one or more of the following five key focus areas:

•  Rural, regional, and remote Australians
•  Australians living with disability
•  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
•  Older Australians (65 years +)
•  Young Australians (12-24 years).

The grant may not account for 100 per cent of the cost of the project. Applications need to demonstrate an in-kind or financial contribution applicant of at least 10 per cent of the total project cost.

Festivals Australia seeks to celebrate the intrinsic capacity of the arts to engage, inspire and make meaning for all Australians, while supporting the celebration of place and promoting a sense of community identity.

The Festivals Australia objectives are to:

• provide access to a diverse range of engaging, innovative arts projects that grow audiences at festivals across regional and remote Australia;
• support partnerships and collaboration across the arts sector; and
• encourage community participation in arts projects at regional and remote festivals.

To achieve these objectives, Festivals Australia offers funding to support individual art projects that
allow community members living in regional or remote Australia to participate in or appreciate an
arts-driven experience at a:

• festival – which is defined by Festivals Australia as a regularly presented program of events (for example annually or biennially) that is open to the public and provides an opportunity to gather and celebrate
• significant one-off community celebration – which is defined by Festivals Australia as a schedule of events that is open to the public and is focused on an anniversary or launch of great significance to the community. For example, a special celebration of the town or the area’s culture and history, a significant anniversary of a major local event, or the opening of a major new community resource could be the basis for an eligible significant one-off community celebration

Festivals Australia delivers two open competitive funding rounds each year, opening in February
and September.

The Program supports First Nations people to voluntarily dedicate and manage their land and sea Country for biodiversity conservation and the protection of cultural values. Indigenous Protected Areas (IPA) are recognised by the Australian Government as an important part of the National Reserve System (NRS) of Protected Areas1, and complementary to the National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas.

The Program objective is to strengthen the conservation and protection of Australia’s environmental and cultural values through establishing and managing IPAs. The Program also contributes to social and economic benefits for First Nations people.

This program will establish at least 10 new IPAs and provide opportunities to expand the size of
existing IPAs.

The expected outcomes of the Program are:

• Australia’s NRS has increased and the condition of Australia’s environment across land and sea has improved.
• First Nations people are empowered to fulfil their custodial obligations over land and sea Country and achieve environmental, cultural, social, and economic benefits.
• Enhanced collaboration between First Nations people and partners and strengthen governance for the protection, conservation and sustainable management of Australia’s land and seascapes.

The Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) program is a Commonwealth grants program which supports all people with disability, regardless of whether they are eligible for a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) individually funded package.

The goal of the ILC program is to increase social and community participation for all people with disability by:

• building the capacity of people with disability to participate in their community, and
• creating opportunities for people with disability to participate by creating more inclusive services and communities.

The Social and Community Participation (SCP) stream is one of 3 streams used to implement the ECP program. The objective of the SCP grant opportunity 2023–24 is to support people with disability, their families and carers to participate, contribute and benefit from mainstream community activities including arts, culture, sport and recreation.

The Aboriginal Affairs NSW Cultural Grants Program supports Aboriginal community organisations across NSW to celebrate Aboriginal culture and hold key cultural events and activities.  

Funding can be used for projects that meet the objectives of the Cultural Grants Program. The following are examples of the types of activities that may be funded, where they are aligned with the program objectives:

• women’s or men’s gathering on Country
• delivery of a culture and wellbeing camp for Aboriginal youth
• creation of a digital installation showing Aboriginal history of the local community
• statewide music or cultural festival  
• a series of online and/or face-to-face workshops

Note: Where events are ticketed, any income generated from ticket sales must be included and expended within the program budget.

Applicants are encouraged to contact their nearest Aboriginal Affairs NSW Regional Office to discuss their project. Regional office staff are available to provide advice regarding program objectives and eligibility requirements, however, they cannot assist with the development of an application.  

2023-24 Cultural Grants Program is a non-competitive program where applications will be assessed in the order they are received.

NSW Women’s Week celebrates the diverse contributions of women and girls. It is an opportunity to reflect on the social, economic and achievements of women and girls in NSW.

NSW Women’s Week will be celebrated between Monday 4 March and Sunday 10 March 2024 to coincide with International Women’s Day on 8 March 2024.

All events and activities must align with at least 1 of the pillar priorities from the NSW Women's Strategy (2023-2026). These pillars are:

1. economic opportunity and advancement
2. health and wellbeing
3. participation and empowerment

For the purpose of this grant opportunity, a Community Language School (CLS) is defined as a not-for-profit community organisation that holds language classes outside of Australian school hours, for a minimum of 2 hours per week of instructor led language tuition for at least 26 weeks of the year using a set curriculum .

The objectives of the program will be to strengthen the social inclusion and prosperity of Australia’s successful multicultural society by supporting more young Australians to acquire a second language:

• to connect them to the languages of their parents, grandparents and broader communities
• enable their participation in a broader range of jobs in an economy closely integrated into a global market of diverse trading partners.

The program will enable CLS to expand the delivery of language education to more school-aged children, including pre-schoolers.

The grant opportunity consists of 3 tiers and 2 supplementary payment options for eligible CLS to apply for the following:

• Tier 1: For CLS that do not meet eligibility requirements for funding in their respective state or territory, and provide classes for a minimum of 5 students. Student numbers can be made up of a combination of pre-school and/or school-aged students.
• Tier 2: For established  CLS with 50 or fewer students. Student numbers can be made up of a combination of pre-school and/or school-aged students.
• Tier 3: For established  CLS with 51 or more students. Student numbers can be made up of a combination of pre-school and/or school-aged students.

In addition, 2 supplementary payments are available to CLS which are eligible for Tier 2 or Tier 3 funding:

• Supplementary Payment One: For CLS to enhance child safety and early learning conditions for pre-school aged children. To be eligible to apply for this supplementary payment, a CLS must have been operating for at least 2 years prior to their application for funding.
• Supplementary Payment 2: For new CLS to support their establishment and growth. Student numbers can be made up of a combination of pre-school and/or school-aged students. CLS applying for this supplementary payment must have been in operation between 3 months and 2 years prior to their application for funding.

Playing Australia Project Investment supports performing arts tours to reach regional and remote communities across Australia. The program supports net touring costs and other designated costs associated with tours. There is no limit on the amount that can be requested.

You can apply for:

• a reasonable portion of costs associated with re-mounting a work
• inter-state touring costs including freight, transport, accommodation and travel allowances
• a contribution towards tour coordination at a set rate per venue
• a portion of costs associated with reducing the environmental impact of your tour
• a portion of costs associated with supporting the wellbeing of the touring company

There are three rounds depending on the dates of the tour:

• Tuesday 7 March 2023, 3pm AEDT for projects starting after 1 June 2023.
• Tuesday 6 June 2023, 3pm AEST for projects starting after 1 September 2023
• Tuesday 10 October 2023, 3pm AEDT for projects starting after 1 January 2024

The objective of the program is to commemorate the service and sacrifice of Australia’s service personnel in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

The intended outcome of the grant opportunity is to provide funding for projects and activities that:

• promote appreciation and understanding of the experiences of service and the roles that those who served have played
• preserve, add to the sum of knowledge on, or provide access to information about Australia’s wartime heritage.

Projects and activities relating to all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations are eligible. However, given the conclusion of the Anzac Centenary Period, projects and activities that commemorate later wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations are now encouraged.

The program aims to provide funding for projects and activities that are ready to proceed and where the funding will ensure their completion. Projects must be able to be completed within 12 months of the funding agreement being executed.

There are two categories of grants available under this program:

Community grants (up to $10,000)
These small grants are for projects and activities that are focused on the local community, commemorate the service and sacrifice of local community members, and are primarily accessed by the local community.

Major grants ($10,001 to $150,000)
These projects may include the construction of new war or peace memorials, where none currently exist, as well as additions to existing memorials.

Assessment and notification of outcomes will be divided into 3 batches based on applications received by 9pm on the following dates:
    13th of June 2023
    10th of October 2023
    6th of February 2024

The Australian Government is inviting applications through an open non-competitive process to deliver justice reinvestment initiatives.

This grant opportunity aims to support the development and delivery of community and First Nations-led justice reinvestment initiatives across Australia, by supporting:

• the development, implementation, and evaluation of local justice reinvestment strategies and activities
• local project teams and leadership structures to undertake the work of developing, implementing and evaluating justice reinvestment strategies.

The intended outcomes are:

• Improving justice outcomes and reducing contact with the criminal justice system and incarceration rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults and young people, in line with Closing the Gap Targets 10 and 11.
• Contributing to systemic reform of government systems that intersect with the justice system.
• Contributing to building a strong and sustainable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled sector delivering high quality services to meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the country.

Applications will be assessed in 2 cycles:

• Assessment cycle 1 opens 14 September 2023 to 12 October 2023.
• Assessment cycle 2 opens 12 October 2023 to 7 December 2023.

Funding is available from 2023–24 to 2025–26 for up to 30 place-based community-led justice reinvestment initiatives.

The Australian Heritage Grants program is the Australian Government’s flagship heritage-funding program. It provides ongoing support to protect and promote National Heritage-listed places.

The program provides $5.3 million per annum, with a call for applications each year.

National Heritage-listed places that have been recognised for their natural, Indigenous or historic heritage values are eligible to apply.

The program aims to:

• improve recognition, conservation, preservation and access to National Heritage-listed places
• increase community engagement and raise awareness of listed places.

The Australian Heritage Grants program provides funding for projects that do one or more of the following:

• maintain, protect and conserve the National Heritage values of one or more listed places
• improve access to one or more listed places
• improve engagement with, and awareness of, the values for which one or more listed places was listed.

The Visions of Australia program (the Program) is part of the Australian Government’s Arts and Cultural Development Program which supports participation in, and access to, Australia’s art and culture through developing and supporting cultural expression.

The Program promotes the sharing of a diverse array of Australian arts and cultural material. It therefore responds to all five pillars which shape the National Cultural Policy, Revive. These pillars are First Nations First, A Place for Every Story, Centrality of the Artist, Strong Cultural Infrastructure and Engaging the Audience.

The objectives of the Program are to:

• increase access for Australian audiences to exhibitions of quality Australian arts and cultural material, with a particular focus on touring to regional and remote Australia
• encourage partnerships between organisations, particularly collaboration across the collections sector, to form curatorial partnerships and where appropriate, access to mentoring and skills transfer opportunities, and financial partnerships.

Program funding is delivered through two streams:

• Development: for the costs of planning and producing an exhibition to tour. This includes research and design, but does not include the commission of new artworks.
• Touring: for the costs to produce the exhibition and the costs to transport, install and dismantle the exhibition as well as deliver public programs.

The Program enables artists and organisations to shape Australia’s cultural landscape, increase cultural diversity, and inspire, educate and entertain audiences across Australia. It seeks to celebrate the intrinsic capacity of the arts to engage, inspire and make meaning for all Australians, while supporting the celebration of place and promoting a sense of community identity.

This round of Live Music Australia will again move to focus on live music festivals, to align with industry demand and to continue to support the sustainability of the live music sector and the presentation of more original live music. The definition of live music venuefor this program includes festivals stages.

The objectives of the program are:

• to support the development, growth and innovation of Australian contemporary live music by increasing performance opportunities for original contemporary music by Australian artists
• to support a sustainable venue-based live music industry by building professional capacity within venues, and growing and building audiences
• to support partnerships, collaboration and networks across the Australian live music industry.

The intended outcomes of the program are:

• assist live music venues as they reopen and begin to redevelop their capacity for hosting live music following the impacts of COVID-19
• increased Australian live music performances of original Australian music that create a stronger and growing Australian music industry, well positioned for the future
• more live music venues, that are agile and sustainable, and employ skilled venue professionals
• engaging the audience, growing and building stronger touring circuits across Australia, creating new domestic markets for Australian music.

To receive funding under Round 7 of the Live Music Australia Program you will need to demonstrate your commitment to hosting a music focused festival, that presents live performances of original music by predominantly Australian artists. Original music is defined as artists playing their own compositions (or written exclusively for the artist by a songwriter).

Multi-disciplinary arts or food festivals in which music is a secondary function are not eligible to apply. Festivals that use multiple venues in a geographical area are eligible to apply, as are festivals that occur for more than one weekend a year. Proposals should demonstrate that activities will provide ongoing benefits to the Australian music sector.

Leg Up Grants are quick response skill development grants for workers in volunteer managed museums and Aboriginal cultural spaces throughout NSW. These grants fund various skill development projects including hosting or attending workshops, conferences or seminars in NSW, in addition to networking activities.

Previous Leg Up Grants have funded museum volunteers to attend conferences and workshops, and to gain training in areas of museum practice including paper conservation, oral history, disaster preparedness and significance assessment.

If you are interested in applying keep in mind that:

• Leg Up Grants are open to museums and Aboriginal cultural spaces (with object collections and displays) with up to two full time paid staff members (no more than 70 hours of paid staffing per week) as well as museum networks such as AMaGA Chapters.
• The development activity must take place within NSW (or the ACT for those communities located close to Canberra).  If the activity is not going to take place within NSW, contact the Museum Coordinator before submitting an application to discuss any extenuating circumstances.
• Leg Up Grants will help cover the costs of travel, accommodation and registration.  They will not cover meals.

Skills Development Grants provide funding to volunteer museums and museum networks for regional or state focused skill development training and networking events.

There are no set categories for funding, and applications for a broad range of projects will be considered.

Previous Skills Development Grants have funded the “Working Spaces for Museum Volunteers” Conferences, regional training workshops on cataloguing software, as well as disaster planning and significance workshops.

Skills Development Grants are open to museums and Aboriginal cultural spaces (with object collections and displays) with up to two full time paid staff members (no more than 70 hours of paid staffing per week) as well as museum networks such as AMaGA Chapters.

Applications must be submitted at least 6 weeks before the activity/event is scheduled to take place.

The Royal Agricultural Society Foundation (RASF) is offering opportunities for community-minded people to be awarded  funding for community projects in their local area.

Previously funding has gone to projects including air-conditioning in the local hall to portable yard panels for the showground or a pop-up gazebo, satisfying community needs and benefiting many.

The RASF invites ideas that deliver strong community benefits and result in enhanced economic and social outcomes for your community. Projects that involve collaboration between people in your town and deliver sustained and broad community benefits will be highly regarded. Applicants will be passionate about rural and regional NSW and have a good understanding of any issues affecting their community.

Infrastructure for local showgrounds and Show Societies are eligible. The improvements must demonstrate that they go beyond benefiting just the local Show Society in running the local Show. They must enable broader use by other community groups to run on-going projects or programs.

While the criteria for this program are broad, the RASF does not fund wages, consultant’s fees, one-off events, operational and administration costs, travel or accommodation.

Under the Indigenous Advancement Strategy, the National Indigenous Australians Agency considers grant proposals that address a need for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Proposals should be developed with the target community or group who will be impacted by the activity.

This funding approach can be used to present a proposal to the Agency where a need has been identified in the community and there are no other current funding avenues available. You must discuss your proposal with the Agency. The Agency may then invite you to submit an application.

Applicants can apply for funding for activities for up to 12 months or over multiple years. There is no maximum grant amount available to applicants. The Agency will consider value with relevant money and availability of funds to meet priorities in offering a grant amount.

This program provides financial assistance for coaches, officials and competitors aged 12-18 participating in state, national or international championships.

Between $500 and $750 is available towards the cost of attending their championships as follows:.

• 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