Community Funding Opportunities and Award Programs - February 2021

Welcome to our Community Funding Opportunities and Awards Program Newsletter where you will find details of grant and funding programs that are available for the Northern Inland Region for community based projects and social enterprises.

Due to the number of grants that are available, we send two funding opportunities newsletters a month; one for Business and Infrastructure and another for Community Projects and Award Programs. These newsletters are a free service that we provide, and can you can add the Business and Infrastructure Grants newsletter to your subscriptions by filling your details into the subscription form in the footer of our website: www.rdani.org.au

We wish you all the best with the Funding Opportunities below and if you are looking for a grant between newsletters, have a look at the grants area of our website which is updated weekly: www.rdani.org.au/our-region/grants-and-funding-opportunities.php

If you need some facts and figures for your applications, a range of data for our region is also available on our website here: www.rdani.org.au/our-region/regional-data.php

Please note the below information is intended as a guide only. Closing dates and other details should be verified using the links provided as they are subject to change by the providers without notice.

Coronavirus (COVID-19), Drought and Bushfire Assistance

To help businesses and individuals affected by Coronavirus (COVID-19) access the available assistance we have created a dedicated Coronavirus Assistance page on our website. This page will be updated as details become available on the recently announced economic stimulus packages from the Australian and NSW Governments.

There is also wide range of assistance available for individuals, businesses and communities that have been affected by the ongoing drought and the recent bushfires. To help you access this support, we have created dedicated Drought Assistance and  Bushfire Assistance pages on our website which are being updated regularly.

Featured Grants

Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers Program: Small Grants Round 1
Opens: 3rd of March 2021
Closes: 31st of March 2021
Value: $5,000 to $50,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment

The Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers Program aims to help restore the ecological health of the Murray-Darling Basin, while also supporting economic development and employment in local communities.

It is anticipated that the grants under Small Grants Round 1 will be offered to successful applicants in April-May with payment made on execution of project agreement before the end of June 2021.

The Program is split into 2 streams:  Small Grants (2 rounds); and Large Grants (1 round held in 2021-22).

In this financial year (2020-21) only the Small Grants Stream (round 1) will be held with a total investment of $6 million. The remaining Program funding will be made available early in the 2021-22 financial year through a small grants round 2 and a larger grant round.

 

Building Better Regions Fund – Community Investments Stream
Closes: 5th of March 2021 - 5:00 pm
Value: $5,000 to $1 Million
Run By: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications

The Community Investments Stream will fund new or expanded local events, strategic regional plans, or leadership and capability strengthening activities that provide economic and social benefits to regional and remote areas. Infrastructure projects are not eligible under the Community Investments Stream.

For most projects grant funding will be up to either 50% or 75% of your eligible project costs. Your location will determine the percentage of grant funding you can receive. You may apply for a partial or full exemption to your cash contribution if you can demonstrate that you are experiencing exceptional circumstances. For small projects with a total grant amount of equal to or less than $20,000, grant funding will be up to 100% of eligible project costs.

Your project will need to deliver economic and social benefits to a regional or remote community.

Thriving People and Places
Closes: Ongoing
Value: $20,000 and over for NSW applicants
Run By: Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation

VFFF aspires to a stronger and brighter future for people and places experiencing disadvantage, enabling them to reach their educational, social and economic potential and build thriving communities by making grants to charities registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).

The foundation has a strong focus on supporting regional areas. Each year, they aim for 75% of our funds to support core operations and capacity building, and 60% to support work in rural and regional communities.

Award Programs

Clunies Ross Awards
Closes: 22nd of February 2021 - 5:00 pm
Run By: Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE)
Recognises people who have shared their vision and knowledge to apply technology for the benefit of Australia.

The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science - Science Prizes
Closes: 9th of March 2021 - 5:00 am
Value: $50,000 to $250,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
The Science Prizes recognise the achievements and success of Australian scientists and innovators to both Australia and internationally.

The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science - Science Teaching Prize
Closes: 9th of March 2021 - 5:00 pm
Value: Up to $50,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
The Science Teaching Prizes recognise Australian science educators for excellence in science teaching.

NSW Training Awards
Closes: 14th of March 2021 - 11:59 pm
Value: Undisclosed
Run By: Training Services NSW
Recognises outstanding achievement in the vocational education and training sector by students, Trainers/Teachers, Registered Training Organisations, large and medium Employers.

National NAIDOC Awards
Closes: 22nd of March 2021
Run By: NAIDOC
Recognises the outstanding contributions that Indigenous Australians make to improve the lives of Indigenous people in their communities and beyond, to promote Indigenous issues in the wider community, or the excellence they’ve shown in their chosen field.

The Australian Business Awards
Closes: 29th of April 2021
Run By: Awardbase
Recognises organisations that demonstrate the core values of business innovation, employee engagement, customer satisfaction, experience management, business sustainability, product and technology innovation.

Closing in February

St George Foundation - Inspire Grant
Closes: 19th of February 2021 - 2:00 pm
Value: Up to $600,000
Supports innovative interventions that will change the course of a child's life.

St George Foundation Community Grants
Closes: 19th of February 2021
Value: Up to $50,000
Run By: St George Foundation
Supports local projects that help brighten the lives of children experiencing disadvantage.

Community Child Care Fund - Open Competitive Round
Closes: 22nd of February 2021 - 11:00 am
Value: $2,000 to $200,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment
Supports the longer-term sustainability of eligible ECEC services operating in, or servicing, disadvantaged and vulnerable communities, particularly those in regional, rural and remote areas.

Strengthening Rural Communities - Small & Vital
Current Round Closes: 23rd of February 2021
Value: Up to $10,000
Run By: Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal
Provides small rural, regional and remote communities across Australia the opportunity to access funds that can benefit and help secure their future prosperity.

Tackling Tough Times Together
Current Round Closes: 25th of February 2021
Value: Up to $150,000 depending on the tier applied for
Run By: Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal
The Tackling Tough Times Together grant program helps communities access the resources they need to support one another through the ongoing effects of the drought.

Driver Reviver Site Upgrade Program
Closes: 25th of February 2021 - 11:30 pm
Value: $10,000 to $150,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications
Funding for site upgrades to all Driver Reviver locations and the establishment of new sites within the Driver Reviver network.

Regional Sport Facility Fund
Closes: 26th of February 2021 - 5:00 am
Value: $100,000 to $1 Million
Run By: NSW Government Office of Sport
Assists eligible organisations to develop quality core sport infrastructure that will meet the current and future needs of the community.

Community Conservation Grants
Closes: 26th of February 2021 - 8:00 am
Value: Up to $10,000 (Up to $25,000 on invitation)
Run By: Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife
Funds conservation projects to assist in the protection of our native species, habitats, landscapes and cultural heritage.

Closing in March

Community Broadcasting Foundation - Content Grants
Closes: 2nd of March 2021 - 2:00 pm
Value: Unspecified
Run By: Community Broadcasting Foundation
Content grants support the development, production and distribution of content via Australian community media.

Development and Operations Grants
Closes: 2nd of March 2021 - 2:00 pm
Value: Unspecified
Run By: Community Broadcasting Foundation
Funding to support community media station resilience by strengthening governance, building community, sustainable operations and technical capacity.

Specialist Radio Programming Grants
Closes: 2nd of March 2021 - 2:00 pm
Value: Unspecified
Run By: Community Broadcasting Foundation
Supports stations producing content that meets the needs of particular communities.

Building Better Regions Fund – Community Investments Stream
Closes: 5th of March 2021 - 5:00 am
Value: $5,000 to $1 Million
Run By: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications
Supports new or expanded local events, strategic regional plans or leadership and capability strengthening activities that provide economic and social benefits to regional and remote areas.

National Women's Alliances
Closes: 5th of March 2021 - 11:00 pm
Value: Up to $820,898
Run By: Australian Government Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Funding to establish 6 civil society networks (Alliances) to ensure women’s voices are heard in the policy making process.

MPSC Public Donations Fund
Closes: 12th of March 2021 - 5:00 am
Value: Up to $3,000
Run By: Moree Plains Shire Council
Funding from the Public Donations fund to help sponsor their next event, purchase new equipment or otherwise fund the provision of services for activities within the Shire.

Sporting Schools
Opens: 1st of March 2021 - 8:00 am
Closes: 12th of March 2021 - 8:00 am
Value: Up to $3,600 per term
Run By: Sport Australia
Helps to provide a range of sporting programs that will increase children’s interest and participation in sport.

Moree Community Enhancement Fund
Closes: 12th of March 2021 - 5:00 pm
Value: $5,000 to $25,000
Run By: Moree Plains Shire Council
Through this fund, from the Moree Solar Farm, Moree Plains Shire Council is able to contribute money or otherwise grant financial assistance to groups or organisations

2021 NAIDOC Local Grants
Closes: 15th of March 2021 - 8:00 pm
Value: $200 to $1,000
Run By: National Indigenous Australians Agency
Supports activities being held during NAIDOC Week 2021 (4-11 July) that celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, achievements and continuing contributions to our country and society.

Future Steps
Closes: 19th of March 2021
Value: $20,000 to $100,000
Run By: LendLease
Supports the supply of accommodation with support services to assist individuals or families experiencing homelessness or housing stress.

Woolworths Junior Landcare
Closes: 19th of March 2021 - 5:00 pm
Value: Up to $1,500
Run By: Woolworths
Funding to inspire kids from across the country to get hands-on with projects that focus on sustainable food production, improving waste management practices or enhancing native habitats.

The Honda Foundation
Closes: 26th of March 2021 (Extended for this round)
Value: Undisclosed
Run By: The Honda Foundation
The Honda Foundation acts as a charitable trust, providing financial assistance to charities and organisations doing amazing work across a range of social and environmental issues.

Community Hall Program
Closes: 28th of March 2021
Value: Up to $200
Run By: Essential Energy
Eligible halls can receive a $200 donation to put towards general maintenance costs for the hall

Sisters of Charity Foundation Community Grants Program
Runs: Twice a year
Closes: 31st of March 2021
Value: Up to $15,000
Run By: Sisters of Charity Foundation

The Mazda Foundation
Current Round Closes: 31st of March 2021
Value: Undisclosed
Run By: Mazda Foundation
Projects by community based organisations to support children with physical and/or mental disabilities and elderly people suggering mental disabilities or their carers, particularly projects seeking to address social isolation experienced by such children and their carers.

Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers Program: Small Grants Round 1
Opens: 3rd of March 2021
Closes: 31st of March 2021
Value: $5,000 to $50,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment
Helps restore the ecological health of the Murray-Darling Basin, while also supporting economic development and employment in local communities.

Reducing Social Isolation
Closes: 31st of March 2021 - 5:00 pm
Value: $10,000 to $60,000
Run By: NSW Department of Communities and Justice
Funding for organisations to deliver locally-driven projects, programs or activities that foster social inclusion for older people.

Closing in May

The Harcourts Foundation
Current Round Closes: 3rd of May 2021
Value: Unspecified
Run By: The Harcourts Foundation
Provides grants to reputable community-based charitable organisations which need funding for projects and initiatives designed to benefit as many people as possible.

Feed Appeal - Rural Grassroots
Opens: 13th of March 2021
Closes: 22nd of May 2021 - 5:00 pm
Value: $5,000 to $25,000
Run By: Feed Appeal
Supports minor infrastructure, quality kitchen equipment, capacity building training and access to food staples that will help organisations meet the demand efficiently and effectively.

Feed Appeal - Rural Major Projects
Opens: 13th of March 2021
Closes: 22nd of May 2021 - 5:00 pm
Value: $25,000 to $50,000
Run By: Feed Appeal
Supports charities with a major infrastructure, capital investment, transportation and/or logistics project to directly impact and improve your food relief program and help build the organisations capacity.

Closing Later and Ongoing

Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program
Current Round Closes: 10th of June 2021 - 11:00 pm
Value: Up to $4,000
Run By: Department of Vetrans Affairs
Designed to preserve Australia’s wartime heritage and to involve people throughout the nation in a wide range of projects and activities that highlight the service and sacrifice of Australia’s servicemen and women in wars, conflicts and peace operations, and promote appreciation and understanding of the role that those who served have played in shaping the nation.

NIB Health Smart Grants
Opens: 1st of June 2021
Closes: 30th of June 2021
Value: Up to $40,000
Run By: nib foundation
Partners with Australian charities that empower Aussie youth and young adults to make smarter health choicesby engaging and empowering people to be Health Smart in their everyday lives.

Community War Memorials Fund
Next Round Opens: 25th of April 2021
Round Expected to Close: 27th of July 2021
Value: Up to $10,000
Run By: NSW Department of Vetrans Affairs
Funding to help conserve, repair and protect war memorials across NSW including conservation assessments, honour roll repair, war memorial cleaning and conservation work, arborist advice for war memorial trees, security measures for memorials, repairs to war memorial halls and improvements to the accessibility of memorials.

Active Kids Vouchers - 2021
Closes: 31st of December 2021
Value: Up to $100
Run By: NSW Government Office of Sport
Helps NSW families meet the cost of getting their kids into sport and active fitness and recreation activities.

Creative Kids Vouchers - 2021
Closes: 31st of December 2021
Value: Up to $100
Run By: Service NSW
This voucher for school kids can be put towards the cost of registration, participation or tuition fees for creative and cultural activities such as music lessons, language classes, coding and digital, visual and performing arts.

Water Efficiency Program
Closes: 31st of December 2023
Value: Unspecified - Over $1 million
Run By: Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment
Funding for owners of water rights for at least 3 years in the Murray–Darling Basin to transferring that water to the Commonwealth under a contract to do efficiency works to achieve water savings.

Australian Communities Foundation
Closes: Various dates
Value: Dependant on grant
Run By: Australian Communities Foundation
Supports a range of charitable organisations and projects each year. Grants are made domestically and internationally through Australian registered charitable organisations for specific projects, or for purposes that support the ongoing activities of those organisations.

CAGES Foundation Grants
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Undisclosed
Run By: CAGES Foundation
The program provides funding with the intention of empowering community and creating an environment where every child has the opportunity to reach their potential.

ClubGRANTS
Closes: Various
Value: Dependant on grant applied for
Run By: Club Grants
Clubs across NSW provide support to tens of thousands of local community organisations, sporting groups, and charities that make a difference in their local area.

Community Broadcasting Foundation - Quick Response Grants
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Undisclosed
Run By: Community Broadcasting Foundation
These grants will help community broadcasters access funding for eligible projects when their regular grant rounds are closed.

Community Child Care Fund Special Circumstances Grant
Closes: Unspecified
Value: Unspecified
Run By: Australian Government Department of Education
Supports continuity of child care, in particular in disadvantaged or vulnerable communities, where service viability is affected by an unforeseen event or circumstance outside the control of the service.

Dreamstarter - Scholarships
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Unspecified
Run By: ING
ING are looking to provide education scholarships for change makers working on an early-stage business that will create positive social impact through trade of a product or service.

Google Ad Grants
Closes: Applications are ongoing
Value: Up to $10,000 per month
Run By: Google
Empowers nonprofit organisations, through $10,000 per month in in-kind AdWords™ advertising, to promote their missions and initiatives on Google search result pages.

IGA Community Chest
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Unspecified
Run By: IGA
Every day across the country IGA Community Chest raises funds to support local communities, charities and other worthwhile causes. It could be in response to a major event like floods or bush fires or something as simple as new soccer balls for the local under 8’s.

Matana Foundation Grants
Closes: Ongoing
Value: No specified minimum or maximum, most grants are between $1,000 and $10,000
Run By: Matana Foundation
Focuses on improving the welfare and wellbeing of young people from severely disadvantaged or marginalised backgrounds, or whose concerns and issues are not readily funded from other sources.

National Cultural Heritage Account
Closes: Applications are ongoing on a case-by-case basis
Value: Up to $500,000 is available each year
Run By: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications
Helps Australian public cultural organisations buy significant objects that they could not otherwise afford.

Quick Response Grants
Closes: Applications are ongoing
Value: Up to $1,500
Run By: Regional Arts NSW
Offers funding for regional artists, arts organisations and communities to respond to unique arts opportunities that present themselves at very short notice.

Thriving People and Places
Closes: Ongoing
Value: $20,000 and over for NSW applicants
Run By: Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation
Supports people and places experiencing disadvantage, enabling them to reach their educational, social and economic potential and build thriving communities by making grants to charities.

Small Environmental Grant Scheme
Next Round Opens: 1st of April 2021
Value: Up to $10,000
Run By: Wettenhall Environment Trust
Providing support for people undertaking projects that will make a positive difference to the natural living environment, in land, sea or air, rural or urban.

Summer Skills
Value: Fee-free courses
Run By: NSW Government Department of Education
Offers 2020 Year 12 school leavers the opportunity to upskill, prepare and get ahead through fee-free training courses in construction, coding, business, horticulture, social media, mental health and more.

Judith Neilson Institute Grants for Journalism
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Unspecified
Run By: Judith Neilson Institute
Provides journalists and media organisations with the resources they need to produce quality journalism and helps them cover wide-ranging topics and under-reported issues and enable them to test approaches to reach new audiences.

Qantas Regional Grants
Expected to be opened in June 2021 and close in August 2021
Value: Combination of cash, in-kind flights and marketing support
Run By: Qantas
Provides financial, flights and marketing support to community groups and organisations to help further their causes and set them up for success.