Search Grants & Funding

The Scanlon Foundation provides support to organisations working to improve Australia’s social cohesion in areas where there is the greatest need. Since 2001, the Scanlon Foundation has been distributing grants to build Australia’s social cohesion and to support the transition of those who come to make Australia home.

At present the Foundation offers three categories of grants.

• Annual Community Grants Program

  With an aim to foster connections and strengthen communities by engaging local businesses with potential employees living in their area, applicants must address the four key criteria outlined below in their application:

  • Employment pathways
  • Local business engagement
  • Mentors
  • Community Input

• Direct to Community Grants
  Funding for projects and initiatives that contribute to social cohesion across Australia, supporting initiatives that enhance the Foundations vision and mission, available to any community organisations, associations or groups that are actively working in this space.

• African Australian Creative Media Grants
  Supports African Australian platforms, individuals and organisations that operate in screen media, visual arts, podcasting, radio and written media. Through this grant they seek to amplify the voices and stories of African Australia creatives.

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 Capacity Building grant is an opportunity for community organisations to run a train-the-trainer program to support and develop new digital mentors.

Digital mentors help people to feel confident and safe online. They support communities to learn digital skills. They are at the heart of community-led digital inclusion programs.

The Capacity Building program is a train-the-trainer initiative to support and develop digital mentors in local communities across Australia. Capacity Builders work with Good Things to inspire skilled, passionate and friendly digital mentors to help more older people be connected.

The Early Childhood Development program seeks to improve learning and development outcomes for Australian children (aged 0-8 years) by supporting targeted and universal programs.

The early years are a critical period for brain development. During that time children learn social, interpersonal, and cognitive skills that help them lead healthy, happy lives and participate in learning and work. Each year one in five Australian children start school developmentally vulnerable. For children who do not receive early childhood education and care (ECEC) it’s two in five. Once children start school behind it is difficult for them to catch up.

Early interventions are both cost-effective in that they reduce long-term costs to society, have the benefit of early mitigation of problems that can cause significant lifelong anguish and enhance the chances of children thriving throughout their lives.

Program Objectives:

• To support innovative projects that target vulnerable communities that seek to improve child development outcomes and have potential for scale.
• To scale and consolidate successful evidence programs to a point of sustainability.
• To support initiatives that seek to better integrate fractured services/systems in early childhood, improve access to and quality of ECEC and/or strengthen the ECEC workforce.
• To develop shared measurement tools and or resources for the early childhood sector.

• To evaluate large scale interventions (particularly randomised control trials) that contribute to enhancing the evidence base for early years intervention.

The Foundation has a particular interest in programs that recognise and foster parental engagement in their children’s learning and development and prioritise support for programs that engage with or target parents. 

The National Australia Day Council offers grant funding to community groups, government entities and councils to support Australia Day events that bring communities together and encourage participation in Australia Day activities.

In 2027, the National Australia Day Council will provide funding of up to $15,000 through its Australia Day Community Events Grant Program to help communities reflect, respect and celebrate on Australia Day.

From community barbeques and concerts to citizenship ceremonies, flag raising ceremonies and parades, the community events grant program has helped deliver almost 4,000 community events across Australia since 2021.

The Groundbreakers Program is a leadership and storytelling initiative that supports five emerging leaders from Australia and New Zealand who are shaping the future of agrifood. Through mentoring, professional photography and main‑stage recognition at evoke^AG., participants are equipped with the confidence, capability and networks to amplify their impact.

Why is the program important?

The program invests in people rather than projects alone, strengthening leadership capability, visibility and connection across the sector. Groundbreakers supports the next generation to communicate with clarity, build meaningful networks and contribute to a resilient, future‑focused agrifood ecosystem.

Who should apply?

Australian and New Zealand residents aged 18-30 who are making a demonstrated impact in agrifood through innovation, research or leadership. Applicants may be at any stage of development but must already be working on an idea, project or initiative with clear relevance and traction.

What is the time commitment?

The Groundbreakers Program runs between September and February and is designed to be flexible and achievable alongside work, study and other commitments.

During this period, participants can expect:

• One dedicated media training session focused on building confidence, profile and impact when engaging with media
• Six storytelling and mentoring sessions delivered as a mix of individual and group sessions (two hours per group session, one hour person individual session) to support personal development, narrative building and peer connection
• All sessions are delivered via Microsoft Teams.

Session dates and times will be confirmed once the cohort is announced, with scheduling designed to accommodate availability across Australia and New Zealand. The program balances structured support with flexibility, ensuring participants can engage meaningfully without undue time pressure.

The NSDP is a competitive grants programme and applications are open to all Men’s Sheds across Australia regardless of location or AMSA membership.

The NSDP provides direct financial assistance to address the health and wellbeing of the shed members within the shed environment; support health education for shed members, deliver appropriate activities and programmes, improve facilities and the sustainability of Men’s Sheds across Australia.

To reflect Government policy, priority is given to:

• those Sheds in areas of greatest need e.g. regional, rural and remote and those that engage and meet the needs of members from the designated Priority Groups
• an application can evidence impact on the applicant Shed and/or members of the Shed by a 2025-26 natural disaster (e.g. flood, storm, bushfire).
• Category 3.Priority for funding under Category 3 will be given to:
  • New Men’s Sheds (less than 2 years old)
  • Men’s Sheds that have not previously received NSDP funding

  Men’s Sheds that have not received Category 3 funding in the past six rounds- (rounds 26-31).

Individual Men’s Sheds in Australia can apply for a range of financial support across the following five funding categories:

Category One: Health and Wellbeing and Events – up to a maximum of $8000– Funding can be requested to plan and deliver, or broadly participate in, an event within their region with a strong health focus, which may also include some Men’s Shed operational topics.

Category Two: Shed Improvements up to a maximum of $8000– Premises occupied by the Men’s Shed are eligible for funding to undertake improvements, modifications and refurbishment. PLEASE NOTE: the building of a new Men’s Shed is not supported under this Programme.

Category Three: Tools and Equipment – $5,000 maximum – The priority for funding under Category 3 is providing financial support to either a) new Men’s Sheds (less than 2 years old), b) Men’s Sheds that have not previously
received NSDP funding or c) Men’s Sheds that have not received Category 3 funding in the past six rounds. Tools and equipment are generally aimed at supporting interaction and activities within sheds.

Category Four: Mental health, wellbeing and events – $8000 maximum – Funding can be requested to plan and deliver, or support attendance at, an event with a strong mental health focus, which may also include some Men’s Shed operational topics.

Category Five: Automated External Defibrillators – $2,250 maximum- Men’s Sheds are eligible for funding to purchase an Automated External Defibrillator, where either: the Shed does not currently have a working defibrillator on its premises; or it has a defibrillator that was purchased prior to 2016 (hence is older than 6 years). Applicants that currently have a defibrillator can also apply for replacement batteries and pads that are not under warranty.

Grant funding for sustainable education and life skill development programs designed to help and support disadvantaged young Australians under the age of 25.

Through a program focused on Empowerment and Education and Outreach and Support, Ansvar has reached and made a genuine difference to the lives of thousands of young Australians in need.

Ansvar’s Community Education Program provides grants up to $50,000 for programs supporting Australian youth which fall under two categories:

• Empowerment and Education - Programs within this category must provide opportunities to develop positive values that lead to healthy lifestyle choices and a positive contribution to our community.

• Outreach Programs - Programs within this category must support youths who are at risk or are already experiencing difficulties (such as drug and/or alcohol abuse) through rehabilitation and/or skills training.

Dementia Australia is offering small grant opportunities of up to $30,000 as a one-off payment, to organisations or groups that support Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities, to raise awareness of dementia in their community, their way. 

Grant recipients will also receive one free professional dementia information session for their staff or committee members, delivered by Dementia Australia. The information session will help staff gain a greater understanding of dementia, empowering them to confidently discuss dementia-related topics with their community members.

This grant aims to: 

• increase equity of access to dementia information and support across diverse groups
• build greater understanding of dementia
• empower staff and community leaders to facilitate conversations about dementia in their community. 

The selection process will prioritise applications that:

• Target the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and/or CALD communities.
• Are led by Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people or people from a CALD background.
• Demonstrate specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time sensitive outcomes.

Residential aged care agencies and University led projects are not eligible to apply. 

The NSW Women of the Year Awards celebrate the incredible women and girls improving the lives of people in NSW. 

Since 2012 these annual awards have recognised the women and girls whose determination, bravery, skill and passion has inspired their communities and others to achieve great things. 

The awards celebrate the role models who challenge inequality, innovate and inspire.

The recipients of the awards will be announced at the NSW Women of the Year Awards ceremony on Thursday 4 March 2027 as part of NSW Women's Week 2027 (2-8 March).

Categories for 2027

• NSW Premier’s Woman of Excellence
  The NSW Premier's Woman of Excellence is a role model who has excelled in her chosen field. In doing so, she effects lasting change and is an inspiration to others. 
• NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year
  A dedicated pillar of her community, the NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year is a role model who promotes economic, cultural and/or social opportunities for Aboriginal people in NSW. Open to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
• NSW Community Hero
  The NSW Community Hero Award shines a light on the accomplishments of an extraordinary woman who works tirelessly to contribute to the prosperity of those in her local community.
• NSW Regional Woman of the Year
  The NSW Regional Woman of the Year recognises the accomplishments of an exceptional woman living in regional NSW who inspires and advances her community and contributes to the fabric of her local area. Nominees for the NSW Regional Woman of the Year must reside outside of Newcastle, Wollongong or Greater Sydney.
• NSW Young Woman of the Year
  The NSW Young Woman of the Year has demonstrated incredible potential or achievement in her chosen field, passion or area of interest. Open to women aged 16-30 years.
• The Ones to Watch
  Recognises girls and young women aged 7 to 15, who demonstrate a single act or ongoing acts of courage, bravery, strength, determination and/or kindness to help and support those around them.
  
  The program will showcase up to 10 girls who will be recognised and profiled as part of the NSW Women of the Year Awards 2027, as the next generation of rising stars.
  
  The Ones to Watch girls will be featured in a video reel that highlights their achievements and will be invited to attend the prestigious NSW Women of the Year Awards events including being presented with a special acknowledgement at the awards ceremony on 4 March 2027 held in Sydney.
  
  Nominations can be made by the nominee's parents/guardians and schoolteachers only. 

The Dobell Exhibition Grant program provides financial assistance towards the development of new, curated exhibitions of visual arts at regional and public galleries in New South Wales.

The program aims to support high quality exhibitions that speak to a broad audience across NSW. To assist in expanding appreciation for the visual arts, the proposed exhibition should be supported by innovative public and education programs that creatively engage both artists and the community.

Exhibitions supported previously include Grafton Regional Gallery, Bundjalung Weavers: Bulaan Buruugaa Ngali… we weave together, Maitland Regional Art Gallery, Small Museum, Lismore Regional Gallery, From Here to There: Australian art and walking, Newcastle Art Gallery for their exhibition SODEISHA: Connected to Australia, Blue Mountains City Art Gallery for Sensorial and Maitland Regional Art Gallery’s exhibition Shadow Boxer.

NSW Women’s Week celebrates the contributions of women from all backgrounds and promotes gender equality across NSW. In 2027, Women’s Week will run from Tuesday 2 March to Monday 8 March, aligning with International Women’s Day on 8 March.

Women’s Week Grants fund events held during Women’s Week that advance gender equality by:

• increasing the empowerment and participation of women and girls in our communities
• celebrating and strengthening focus communities
• challenging gender stereotypes, roles and expectations.

Women’s Week Grants fund innovative events that increase the empowerment and participation of women and girls in our communities, which advances gender equality in the long term. Funding provides Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Organisations, rural, regional and remote-based organisations and not-for-profits with an opportunity to give back to their communities by delivering events or activities that benefit local women and girls. 

NSW Women’s Week events must align with at least one of the 3 pillars of the NSW Women's Strategy (2023-2026), these pillars are:

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

The Social Enterprise Development Initiative (SEDI) First Nations capability building Grants provide support for First Nations enterprises to strengthen their capability, expand their operations and increase their social and economic impact.

Grants are valued at between $50,000 and $120,000 each. Grant funds are to be used to purchase capability services from Capability Providers and other businesses, such as financial services, evaluation and impact measurement, business consulting and legal advice. Up to 20% of grant funds can be used to cover internal costs that are necessary to purchase these services.

The grants support First Nations enterprises that are trading Indigenous owned or controlled enterprises across all states and territories that are delivering services to improve social and economic outcomes for First Nations communities and Australians in a range of social outcome areas, including: employment and education.

Grant eligibility

An eligible SEDI First Nations Grant applicant:

Is an Indigenous community-controlled organisation: an organisation that is at least 51% Indigenous owned and controlled, incorporated and not-for-profit
or
Is an owned and operated Indigenous organisation: an organisation that is at least 51% Indigenous owned and controlled
or
‘Other’ Indigenous organisation: an organisation that is at least 50% Indigenous owned or controlled.

Note: If your organisation does not fit one of the above definitions, you are considered a non-Indigenous organisation and not eligible to apply for a SEDI First Nations Grant. You may be eligible for a SEDI grant.

• Is a First Nations social enterprise defined as a trading Indigenous owned or controlled organisation with a social benefit. This may include, but is not limited to:
  • Profit is utilised for its defined key purpose, that includes social, cultural, environmental or community benefit and change
  • Invests efforts and resources into their purpose
  • Creates employment and training opportunities for First Nations people
  • Delivers products and services to meet community needs
  • Profit re-distribution where some profits or revenue are re-invested into a community benefit
• Is owned and operated in Australia with beneficiaries who primarily reside in Australia.
• Has a business model that includes entrepreneurial or commercial trade activity. This may include an ‘entrepreneurial business’ or new revenue stream within an existing organisation, as long as it meets the trade revenue requirements (see description of trading revenue further below).
• Has progressed beyond the startup phase. This means you are already trading and are able to meet the annual trade revenue requirement. If your enterprise is a new revenue stream within an existing organisation, you must be able to show how the enterprise enables you to scale your impact in an approved outcome area and/or diversify your commercial revenue.
• Is seeking capability building support to scale impact in one or more of the approved outcome areas (see next point). Scale means to substantially increase the impact your enterprise delivers. This might mean increasing the number of beneficiaries your enterprise can reach (wide), or better supporting the needs of your enterprise’s existing beneficiaries (deep). Please read the Department of Social Services’ outcome areas for information on the approved outcome areas.
• Has a revenue that exceeds $50,000 and a trading revenue that exceeds $35,000 per year. Trading revenue is considered as income derived from the sale of goods or services to different customers in a repeatable way. Trading revenue does not include donations, philanthropic grants, gifts or short-term government grants. Government contracts awarded through competitive tenders or procurements can be considered as trade.

The NSW Aboriginal Languages Week Grant Program provides one-off funding to eligible Aboriginal organisations and groups to host activities and events during NSW Aboriginal Languages Week that celebrate Aboriginal Languages across NSW.

The objective of the NSW Aboriginal Languages Week Grant Program is to support events and activities that celebrate Aboriginal Languages in NSW to: 

• Raise awareness of the history and future of NSW Aboriginal Languages
• Showcase NSW Languages work and celebrate Languages achievements
• Increase support for NSW Languages revitalisation and promote “best practice”      Languages use
• Encourage participation in Languages learning, particularly young Aboriginal people
• Connect mob to Languages learning, education, and employment opportunities
• Aligns with the objectives and functions of the Aboriginal Languages Act 2017 (NSW) and aligns with the Aboriginal Languages Trust Strategic Plan 2022-2027

To be eligible you must be:

• an Aboriginal Community-controlled, not-for-profit organisation working with Aboriginal communities in NSW, and one of the following organisation types:
  • Aboriginal Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth).
  • a company incorporated in Australia under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)
  • a Local Aboriginal Land Council under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW)
  • An Incorporated Association under state legislation.
  • An Incorporated Cooperative under state legislation.
  • An Incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust.
  • An unincorporated Aboriginal Community group or individual/sole trader with an auspice that meets all the above criteria

Note: Applicants must be located in NSW and/or delivering a service to communities within NSW.

Note: Applicants must have public liability of at least $10 million per claim.

The Support at Home Thin Markets 2026-27 (Round 3) Grant Opportunity provides flexible funding to eligible Support at Home providers that deliver aged care services in thin markets.

This grant opportunity is the third funding round under the Support at Home Thin Markets Grant program. Providers that received funding in Round 1 and/or Round 2 may also apply in Round 3.

Providers that deliver rural and remote services in Modified Monash areas 3 to 7, or that deliver specialised services in any region, may be eligible to apply.

This grant opportunity has two streams:  

• Stream One: Rural, remote and specialised services
• Stream Two: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services. 

Providers may apply for either Stream One OR Stream Two. 

Eligibility:

To apply under either stream, eligible providers must meet ALL the following criteria:

• Be currently delivering Support at Home services to Support at Home participants at the time of application.
• Be registered under the Aged Care Act 2024 to deliver aged care services in Registration Category 4, including delivery of care management. 
• Have an Australian Business Number (ABN) that matches the entity’s registration under the Aged Care Act 2024 with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. 
• Be registered for GST purposes and hold an account with an Australian financial institution.
• Be one of the following entity types:
  • Indigenous 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 
  • Statutory Entity 
  • Unincorporated Association
  • Partnership
  • Sole Trader. 

If you are applying as a Trustee on behalf of a Trust, the Trustee must have an eligible entity type as listed above.

You must also meet the additional eligibility requirements for the relevant Stream you are applying for, as outlined in Section 4.1.1 Stream One – Rural, Remote and Specialised Services or Section 4.1.2 Stream Two – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services.