Search Grants & Funding

The Mazda Foundation’s aims and objectives include (but are not limited to) the provision of financial aid to funds, authorities and institutions which qualify for income tax deductibility for gifts and which provide:

• assistance to young people through education and employment skills development, with particular emphasis on children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
• assistance in the advancement of education and achievement of excellence at all levels in the community.
• assistance in the development of technology, to help improve Australia’s international competitiveness.
• assistance towards the maintenance and improvement of the natural environment.
• assistance to address community needs identified by the Mazda Foundation from time to time.
• assistance in research, feasibility, surveys and other background work in relation to any of the above aims and objectives.

Foundation Priorities

• Primary Producers Facing Hardship
  Community based organisations with projects to strengthen and build resilience in primary producer communities
• Pathways for Young People
  Programs offering at risk or disadvantaged young people (12-21 years) skills development, vocational training and employment readiness, to help them build resilience and navigate life transitions.

Exclusions

• Programs or initiatives that receive significant (over 70% of the total program budget) government funding
• Programs that are one-off in nature or occur semi-regularly such as camps and/or training courses
• Programs for the sole benefit of young people with a specific disability or illness
• Programs that do not provide wraparound support to young people

Organisations applying for a grant must complete and lodge a Project Notification form. Details must include a précis of the project, how the project relates to the priority area, the amount of funding sought and how it would be used, and the expected outcome of the project. Such notification may be lodged electronically or by hard copy to the Mazda Foundation (at the address on the home page of their website).

Any Project Notification received by the Foundation will be considered at the Foundation’s Board meetings held in April and October. As such Project Notifications must be submitted for notification by 31 March and 30 September. The Foundation’s Board meets approximately four times per year, and accordingly a period of some months may elapse between lodgement of a Project Notification and it being selected for funding. 

Parents, guardians and carers receiving Family Tax Benefit can apply for an Active and Creative Kids voucher for each eligible child.

The $50 voucher is available twice a year to use towards sport, creative and cultural activities.

Voucher 1 – 2026: Available now

• Apply for and use the voucher by 31 December 2026

Voucher 2 – 2026: Available now

• Apply for and use the voucher by 14 July 2027

Note:

• Vouchers must be used with a registered activity provider.
• If you have 2 vouchers that have not expired, you can use them together for a combined value of $100. Each voucher can only be used once.

The Balnaves Foundation supports Australian not-for-profit organisations that work in the arts, health and education, with a focus on initiatives that benefit young people, First Nations and those facing disadvantage.

There are no specific grant rounds for the General EOI process and submissions are generally open year round.

The Foundation only supports grants delivered in Australia by Australian not-for-profit organisations. The Foundation prefers to support multi-year projects with a funding range of $150,000 – $250,000 per annum.

Within the health space, The Balnaves Foundation is focused on supporting projects that deliver significantly improved health outcomes for young Australians through the prevention and early intervention of chronic health conditions.

Please note that the Foundation’s trustees meet four times a year. If your EOI moves forward to the Proposal stage it may take between 3-6 months from your initial EOI submission for it to be presented at a Trustee meeting. The Foundation recommends timing your EOI submission to allow for this. Submissions received less than 3 months before the commencement date are unlikely to progress.

Due to limited capacity the Foundation team is unable to accept meeting requests or review applications prior to submission.

Community Radio Music Hubs grants support community radio stations that are already active music hubs for their local music communities – helping them build and expand on what they already do well: bringing their local music community together through live music events.

Funding supports high-intensity music stations to create live, in-person music events and activities that support contemporary Australian music and connects artists with audiences, venues and the wider music community.

Eligible high-intensity music stations may apply for up to $50,000 to put on a minimum six music activities, with support for:

• Artist fees
• Project coordinators
• Venues and production costs
• Local promotion and content creation
• Equipment to support outside broadcasts
• Relevant licences and insurances related to music hub activity

The WE SWIM Multicultural Community Water Safety Program is a national, evidence-informed initiative to reduce drowning risk, remove barriers to swimming and water safety education, and build belonging for refugees, recently arrived migrants and broader multicultural communities.

Royal Life Saving funds a set of WE SWIM Multicultural Community Water Safety Partnerships, ranging from multi-partner, place based collaborations to more targeted, partner specific activity, all co-designed with multicultural communities:

• WE SWIM Place-Based Partnerships - multi-LGA or regional partnerships that shift systems at scale and build local capability that outlasts the funding period.
• WE SWIM Community Programs - focused, local partnerships that address a specific barrier, cohort or community, and build pathways into sustained participation.
• WE SWIM Pathfinder Programs - targeted initiatives, including refugee settlement pilots, community ambassadors, emerging leader scholarships and inclusive facilities work, that test and scale new approaches across the WE SWIM pillars.

Most streams follow a similar rhythm: documentation released from 18 August 2026, applications closing 24 September 2026, outcomes notified 16 October 2026, and agreements executed shortly after. Delivery generally runs 1 November 2026 to 31 May 2027, with final reporting due by 30 June 2027.

The Program’s objectives are framed around safety, access, equity, cohesion and opportunity. They are deliberately practical so they can guide decisions about funding, partnerships and delivery. 

Over the life of the Program, WE SWIM will:

• Reduce drowning risk for refugees, recently arrived migrants, multicultural communities and international students by improving swimming and water safety skills, hazard awareness and safe behaviours around water.
• Increase access and equity in swimming and water safety education by removing financial, cultural, language, gender and geographic barriers to participation in priority areas.
• Strengthen social cohesion by creating new and deeper connections between multicultural communities and local aquatic centres, swim schools, clubs and councils.
• Grow a more diverse aquatic workforce by creating pathways into swimming instruction, lifeguarding and community water safety leadership for people from multicultural backgrounds.
• Build sustainable local capability so councils, aquatic providers and community organisations can continue culturally responsive water safety programs beyond the funding period.

This grant supports dedicated live music venues to purchase equipment, undertake infrastructure works and to install high-end audiovisual systems and advanced lighting technology.

Dedicated live music venues can apply for a grant to support the following venue upgrades:  

• Equipment purchase and infrastructure works up to $150,000

OR 

• High-end audiovisual systems and advanced lighting technology up to $300,000. 

See the ‘Types of projects funded under this grant’ section for details of the specific works that can be supported.  

You can only apply for one type of venue upgrade, not both.  

This funding aims to: 

• build capability of dedicated live music venues to deliver world class audience and visitor experiences 
• increase the number of fit-for-purpose live music venues in NSW 
• increase sector knowledge and expertise in best practice sound management and sustainable live music programming 
• increase diversity of live music offerings 
• increase accessibility and access within venues 
• improve venue energy and climate sustainability 
• increase venue technological capacity.

Venue Upgrade Grants - Infrastructure and Equipment will run as a two-stage application process: 

• Stage one - Applications to the expression of interest round will close at 2pm on 28 September 
• Stage two - Venues successful at the expression of interest round will be invited to submit a full application. 

This funding program is designed for artists and acts with an established body of work in contemporary music. It offers grants to support career growth through recording and promotion of new and original contemporary music.

The program aims to:   

• strengthen the recorded music ecosystem  
• future proof the NSW music industry through upskilling and collaboration  
• build the profile of NSW music. 

The program is open to artists, acts and music businesses applying on behalf of an artist or act.  

An artist who:  

• is 18 years or older  
• currently lives in NSW (minimum 12 months)  
• performs new and original contemporary music  
• has a previous EP or album available on recognised platforms.  

 An act:  

• with members who are all 18 years or older  
• with at least 50% of members currently living in NSW (minimum 12 months)  
• that performs new and original contemporary music  
• that has a previous EP or album available on recognised platforms.  

Applicants will need:  

• an active ABN (that’s your Australian Business Number)  
• a bank account with the same name as your ABN  
• or a funds administrator to help you out.  

Applicants must also:  

• provide at least a 30% cash co-contribution to the overall project budget. 

For the purpose of this program contemporary music refers to artists and acts performing new and original music.  

Artforms not supported through this program are:  

• experimental music and sound art  
• contemporary classical, opera, choral and ensembles  
• music theatre  
• working in and with community music groups. 

Number of applications  

• you can only submit one application per round. 

Australian Red Cross provides limited cash and voucher assistance (CVA) to some people on temporary visas who are experiencing financial hardship and vulnerability.

Cash assistance (also known as emergency relief) is a small one-off payment to help you with your basic needs like food, shelter and medicine.

They have limited funding and receive a high number of applications from across Australia. For this reason, they must prioritise support for people with the least access to income, services, and support networks.

You may be eligible if:

• You hold a temporary visa.
• Are over 18 years of age.
• You are living in Australia.
• You meet our financial hardship threshold and are experiencing vulnerability (e.g., unable to meet basic needs such as food, housing, or medical care).

Please note that New Zealand citizens are not eligible as they have broader access to services and work rights in Australia.

This grant supports NSW Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander led music businesses and organisations with a track record of delivering significant outcomes for First Nations contemporary music in NSW.

This funding program is for NSW Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander led music programs and resources that build the capacity of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artists, industry professionals and music businesses, address best practice and emerging trends, promote music in NSW and deliver research and advocacy.

This funding aims to:  

• prioritise and protect First Nations NSW music  
• develop skills and capacity for NSW Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artists and acts  
• upskill NSW Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander industry professionals and music businesses in best practice and emerging trends  
• improve industry standards  
• promote NSW music and increase engagement with local music through content creation, collaboration and partnerships 
• leverage technology solutions to enhance collaboration and innovation 
• support industry-led research and advocacy 
• strengthen NSW Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities.  

The Housing Australia Critical Infrastructure program finances critical housing-enabling infrastructure, such as utilities and roads, to unlock and accelerate new housing supply. Without this funding, the projects may not go ahead or may start much later or deliver less homes.

Housing Australia Critical Infrastructure provides support through concessional and long-term loans, grants, or a combination of both. Housing Australia’s Investment Managers will work with you to design a suitable funding package for your project. Get in touch early in your project origination.

Most projects that meet the following criteria are potentially eligible for support under Housing Australia Critical Infrastructure. This list is not comprehensive, and you should check the full eligibility criteria before applying.

• New or upgraded infrastructure for electricity and gas
• Water, sewerage and stormwater
• Transportation including roads
• Telecommunications
• Demolition and site remediation including removing hazardous waste or contamination
• Onsite and linking infrastructure

The purpose of the Veteran Community Grants Program (VCGP) is to support activities and services to enhance the wellbeing of the NSW veteran community and promote appreciation and understanding of the service and sacrifice of military service personnel.

The VCGP is targeted at individuals and not-for-profit organisations who are based in NSW.

Applications must align with and be submitted under one of the below category descriptions:

1. Local history, heritage and education
   Projects that help inform and educate the wider community about the service and sacrifice of local veterans and their families, including the conservation and display of memorabilia and artefacts, research towards online or print publications and educational activities.
2. Public commemorative events and commemorative spaces
   Events that honour or mark military anniversaries and pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of NSW veterans, or the creation of commemorative spaces. Please note, Anzac Day events are ineligible for funding.
3. Provide support to members of the NSW veteran community
   Activities such as excursions, milestone reunions, and training and development to assist with the health and wellbeing of the veteran community.
4. Infrastructure and equipment
   Projects that improve facilities, infrastructure, and equipment to strengthen the delivery of services and activities for the veteran community.

This quick response funding program is designed for domestic and international travel activity for NSW contemporary music artists, acts and music industry professionals.

Funding can support travel and accommodation costs for: 

Artists and Acts 

• domestic tours  
• domestic professional development opportunities, including performance at significant music market events, attendance at workshops, camps, mentorships and residencies 
• significant international professional development opportunities, including performance at significant international music market events, attendance at workshops, camps, mentorships and residencies. 

For domestic tours and performance at music markets, funding can support up to six people per touring party. This includes the artists and a maximum of two people with roles that support the artists to undertake the tour. These support roles include:      

• one operational crew member (e.g. tour manager or key technical production crew)       
• one support person for people with disability, family or cultural needs. 

Music Industry Professionals 

• domestic professional development opportunities for music industry professionals working in contemporary music to attend significant music market events and/or identified business opportunities 
• significant international professional development opportunities for music industry professionals working in contemporary music to attend international music market events and/or identified business opportunities. 

This program is open for applications until Friday 25 June 2027, with applications assessed monthly. Applications submitted by 12pm (midday) on the last Friday of each month (excluding December) will be grouped together for assessment.

Applicants will be notified of the decision within 4 weeks of the closing date. 

Please see the frequently asked questions for a list of submission dates and activity start dates, definitions and additional details. 

This funding aims to:       

• increase domestic performance opportunities for NSW artists      
• support professional development for NSW artists and music industry professionals  
• strengthen the live music ecosystem      
• grow music audiences for NSW artists.   

This program does not support international touring. Please see the International Touring program for support for significant international touring opportunities.

This funding program is designed to support established artists and acts to tour internationally.

Funding can support travel and accommodation costs for established artists and acts who identify a career-defining international touring opportunity. 

Costs to support the artist and acts will be prioritised but costs relating to support roles will also be considered.  

Applicants must match the funding request with their own cash contribution.  

Applications will close 12pm (midday) Friday 31 July, Friday 30 October, Friday 29 January and Friday 30 April. Applications submitted after 12pm (midday) will not be accepted.

Applicants will be notified of the decision within 4 weeks of the closing date.  

Please see the frequently asked questions for additional details.  

This funding aims to:       

• support established NSW artists and acts to tour internationally  
• champion NSW music 
• grow international music audiences for NSW artists.  

This program does not support domestic touring or professional development opportunities. Please see the Domestic Touring and Professional Development program.

The Travel Grants program is designed to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander filmmakers in travelling to key international and Australian events. Professional development is a key objective.

Funding is available to support travel costs associated with attending:

• recognised film festivals and pitching forums where an applicant’s film has been selected or invited to attend
• events where the applicant or their film has been nominated for an award
• key international markets
• conferences and workshops providing significant professional development opportunities.

Requests can be for domestic or international travel supported by a budget for:

• Up to $3,000 for domestic travel
• Up to $6,000 for International travel

Only in exceptional circumstances will we provide funding outside of this amount.

Any hospitality offered by the event must be disclosed and any travel funding from other sources must be listed in the application form, including Screen Australia’s Industry and International unit and/or state agencies.

Screen Australia’s First Nations Department will consider travel funds provided by Screen Australia’s Industry and International unit and/or state agencies, and the costs of travel from the applicant’s current place of residence.

Screen Australia does not fund retrospectively.

This grant supports NSW Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artists and acts to create, record and promote new and original contemporary music, undertake professional development and purchase equipment.

This funding aims to:   

• prioritise and protect First Nations music  
• strengthen the recorded music ecosystem for NSW Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artists  
• future proof the NSW music industry for NSW Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artists through upskilling and collaboration   
• build the profile of NSW Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander music.