Community Grants and Award Programs Newsletter - March 2023

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.

Featured Grants

Regional Event Fund - Flagship Event Fund NSW - 2023-24
Closes: 29th of March 2023
Value: Up to $30,000
Run By: Destination NSW

The Flagship Event stream supports marketing activities for existing events in regional NSW that have been running for more than two years to increase their profile and encourage visitation.

The Flagship Event stream identifies and assists the promotion of events that contribute to the unique character of the tourism regions of NSW and can demonstrate that they attract overnight visitation. The stream is open to events held in regional NSW that have been running for more than two years and offers grants specifically to support marketing activities aimed at increasing visibility and attracting visitation to the event from outside its local area.

Annual grants of $20,000 (ex GST) or triennial grants of $30,000 (ex GST) per year for three years are available for eligible events to support marketing activities that encourage overnight visitation from outside the events Local Government Area.

 

Student Wellbeing Innovation Fund
Closes: 2nd of April 2023
Value: Up to $200,000
Run By: NSW Government Department of Education

The NSW Department of Education has established a Student Wellbeing Innovation Fund to support and encourage bold, innovative programs and/or initiatives that are ceated and offered by external providers, to be sourced by primary and secondary schools for the purposes of educating, informing or directly supporting individual students to improve their mental health and wellbeing.

The Student Wellbeing Innovation Fund will directly support student wellbeing outcomes and will build on the department’s commitment to quality assure external student wellbeing programs to enhance the development and provision of high-quality external providers delivering evidence-based wellbeing programs/initiatives.

The Student Wellbeing Innovation Fund has two streams:

1. To provide one-off capacity building funding for providers of wellbeing programs/initiatives who are wanting to scale or deliver their wellbeing programs and/or initiatives in new areas or to new cohorts listed as a priority area.
2. To support ‘incubator’ student wellbeing programs and/or initiatives by providing seed funding (via one-off grants) to providers to research, create, develop and test new approaches to supporting and addressing student wellbeing issues.

 

Volunteer Museum Grant Program - Small Grants - 2023
Current Round Closes: 2nd of April 2023
Value: Up to $2,000
Run By: Museums and Galleries NSW

Small Grants aim to meet the short-term, collection-based requirements of community museums and Aboriginal cultural spaces. There are no set categories for funding, and applications for a broad range of projects will be considered.

Previous Small Grants have funded the purchase of computer cataloguing software, exhibition mannequins and display cases, oral history recording equipment and archival storage items.

Small 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.

Award Programs

The Australian Business Awards 2023
Closes: 30th of March 2023
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.

Project Management Achievement Awards - 2023
Closes: 6th of April 2023 - 5:00 pm
Run By: Institute of Project Management
Celebrates project management excellence across 12 categories for both organisations and individuals.

Eureka Prizes - 2023
Closes: 14th of April 2023 - 7:00 pm
Run By: The Australian Museum
Honours excellence across the areas of research & innovation, leadership, science engagement, and school science.

National Safety Awards of Excellence - 2023
Closes: 21st of April 2023
Run By: NSCA Foundation
Recognises businesses that make a positive difference to the health, safety and wellbeing of its stakeholders.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scientist Award - 2024
Closes: 1st of June 2023
Value: Up to $20,000
Run By: Australian Academy of Science
Recognises research in the physical and biological sciences by outstanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

Closing in March

Sustainable Schools Grants - Round 5
Closes: 20th of March 2023
Value: Up to $15,000
Run By: NSW Government Department of Education
Funding for public schools and preschools to deliver hands-on, sustainability-focused projects that link to the NSW curriculum.

Festivals Australia - Round 16
Closes: 20th of March 2023 - 11:30 pm
Value: $5,000 to $150,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts
Funding to support individual art projects at festivals or significant one-off community events, such as a town celebration or opening of a new community resource.

Indigenous Languages and Arts - Open Competitive Grant Opportunity 2023
Closes: 22nd of March 2023 (extended)
Value: Up to $200,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts
Supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians to express, preserve and maintain their cultures through Indigenous languages and arts activities.

NAIDOC Grants Program - 2023
Closes: 24th of March 2023 - 2:00 pm
Value: $500 to $3,000
Run By: Aboriginal Affairs NSW
Supprots activities and events in NSW held during NAIDOC Week that celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements.

Carers Investment Program - 2023-25
Closes: 27th of March 2023 - 5:00 pm
Value: $250,000 to $500,000
Run By: NSW Government Communities and Justice
Supports programs that improve carers’ access to services and supports; ensure that carers are better respected and empowered; have improved economic opportunities and better health and wellbeing.

Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Multicultural Community Grant
Closes: 27th of March 2023 - 5:00 pm
Value: $20,000 to $150,000
Run By: NSW Government Communities and Justice
Funding to build the capability of multicultural communities to recognise and respond to domestic, family, and sexual violence.

Regional Event Fund - Flagship Event Fund NSW - 2023-24
Closes: 29th of March 2023
Value: Up to $30,000
Run By: Destination NSW
Supports marketing activities for existing events in regional NSW that have been running for more than two years to increase their profile and encourage visitation.

Regional Event Fund - Incubator Event Stream - 2023-24
Closes: 29th of March 2023
Value: Up to $20,000
Run By: Destination NSW
Offers seed funding to events in Regional NSW to support their first and second years of activity.

Connected Communities Grant Program - 2023
Closes: 30th of March 2023 - 5:00 pm
Value: Up to $10,000
Run By: Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal
Supports communities to improve resilience, environmental sustainability and liveability through the power of connection. 

Local Sporting Champions
Current Round Closes: 31st of March 2023
Value: $500 to $750
Run By: Sport Australia
Provides financial assistance for coaches, officials and competitors aged 12-18 participating in state, national or international championships.

The Mazda Foundation
Current Round Closes: 31st of March 2023
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.

100 Women Grants - 2023
Closes: 31st of March 2023 - 4:00 pm
Value: Up to $50,000
Run By: 100 Women
Supports organisations that advance the safety, health, education and economic freedom of women and girls.

Local Para Champions
Current Round Closes: 31st of March 2023
Value: $750 to $1,100
Run By: Sport Australia
Assistance for coaches, officials and competitors aged 12-24 participating in state, national or international championships for athletes with a disability.

Closing in April

Start Strong Capital Works Grants Program - Major Capital Fund - 2022-23
Next Round Closes: 2nd of April 2023
Value: Unspecified
Run By: NSW Government Department of Education
Supports the creation of additional preschool places through new builds, extensions and renovations of centre-based community preschools and long day care services.

Start Strong Capital Works Grants Program - Mobile Fund - 2023
Closes: 2nd of April 2023
Value: Unspecified
Run By: NSW Government Department of Education
supports mobile services to replace existing vehicles and/or to purchase additional vehicles to cater for increased demand.

Student Wellbeing Innovation Fund
Closes: 2nd of April 2023
Value: Up to $200,000
Run By: NSW Government Department of Education
Supports bold, innovative programs and/or initiatives by external providers for primary and secondary schools for the purposes of educating, informing or directly supporting individual students to improve their mental health and wellbeing.

Volunteer Museum Grant Program - Small Grants - 2023
Current Round Closes: 2nd of April 2023
Value: Up to $2,000
Run By: Museums and Galleries NSW
Helps meet the short-term, collection-based requirements of community museums and Aboriginal cultural spaces.

Strengthening Rural Communities – Rebuilding Regional Communities - Large Grants
Next Round Closes: 5th of April 2023 - 5:00 pm
Value: $10,000 to $50,000
Run By: Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal
Supports community-led initiatives that enhance the process of recovery of remote, rural and regional communities from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Regional Media Fund
Closes: 11th of April 2023 - 5:00 pm
Value: $20,000 to $60,000
Run By: NSW Department of Regional NSW
Supports innovation, digitisation and technology enhancements that enable more effective creation and distribution of regional media content.

Cultural Grants Program - 2022-23
Closes: 14th of April 2023 - 5:00 pm (Assessed monthly until expended or closed)
Value: $500 to $20,000
Run By: Aboriginal Affairs NSW
Supports Aboriginal community organisations across NSW to celebrate Aboriginal culture and hold key cultural events and activities.

Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program Grant Round 2022-23 and 2023-24
Closes: 16th of April 2023 - 11:30 pm
Run By: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts
Supports participation in, and access to, Australia’s arts and culture through developing and supporting cultural expression.

Indigenous Contemporary Music Program - 2023
Closes: 20th of April 2023 - 11:30 pm
Value: $5,000 to $500,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts
Supports Indigenous participation in, and access to, Australia’s arts and culture through developing and supporting cultural expression.

ARTC Sponsorships and Donations - 2023
Next Round Closes: 30th of April 2023
Value: $1,000 to $4,000
Run By: Australian Rail Track Corporation
Supports the communities that are home to Inland Rail to support short-term or one-off initiatives.

Community Languages School Grants - Establishment Grant
Closes: 30th of April 2023
Value: Up to $2,500
Run By: NSW Government Department of Education
Supports the setting up language classes for the first time by providing funding for the the first year.

Community Languages School Grants - Per Capita Grant
Closes: 30th of April 2023
Value: Based on number of students
Run By: NSW Government Department of Education
Helps cover community language school operating costs such as teaching materials, staff wages and new equipment.

Closing in May

Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation - 2023
Opens: 29th of March 2023
Closes: 1st of May 2023
Value: Up to $200,000
Run By: Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation
Supports charitable and not-for-profit organisations for important projects, initiatives and programs the improve health, life and social outcomes.

The Harcourts Foundation
Current Round Closes: 3rd of May 2023
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.

Community Heritage Grants - 2023
Closes: 8th of May 2023
Value: Up to $20,000
Run By: National Library of Australia

Qantas Regional Grants
Closes: 10th of May 2023
Value: Combination of cash, in-kind flights and marketing support
Run By: Qantas
Provides help to regional communities to sustain brighter futures by providing financial, flight and marketing support to charities, organisations, causes, projects and individuals.

Start Strong Capital Works - Minor Capital Fund - 2022-2023
Opens: 3rd of April 2023
Closes: 14th of May 2023
Value: Up to $100,000
Run By: NSW Government Department of Education
Supports the creation of additional preschool places through smaller-scale extensions or renovations and/or the recalculation of unencumbered space.

Start Strong Capital Works - Minor Capital Fund - 2022-2023
Opens: 3rd of April 2023
Closes: 14th of May 2023
Value: Up to $100,000
Run By: NSW Government Department of Education
Supports the creation of additional preschool places through smaller-scale extensions or renovations and/or the recalculation of unencumbered space for centre-based community preschool and long day care services.

In a Good Place - 2023
Opens: 12th of April 2023
Closes: 17th of May 2023 - 5:00 pm
Value: Up to $20,000
Run By: Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal
Supports community-driven projects, services, activities or initiatives, which clearly and directly focus on strengthening mental health and wellbeing of vulnerable community members.

Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment
Closes: 28th of May 2023
Value: $400 to $1,000 per adult or child
Run By: Australian Government
A one-off financial assistance to eligible Australians adversely affected by the floods in New South Wales.

Transport Access Regional Partnerships (TARP) Grants
Closes: 30th of May 2023 or until expended
Value: Unspecified
Run By: Transport for NSW
Supports initiatives to improve services and outcomes for sections of the community that need improved transport.

Community Languages School Grants - Specific Project Grant
Closes: 31st of May 2023
Value: Up to $10,000
Run By: NSW Government Department of Education
Provides funding to community language schools to help with professional development.

Strengthening Rural Communities - Small & Vital
Current Round Closes: 31st of May 2023 - 5:00 pm
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.

Strengthening Rural Communities – Prepare & Recover
Closes: 31st of May 2023 - 5:00 pm
Value: Up to $25,000
Run By: Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal
Supports communities to implement initiatives that prevent and prepare for future climate related impacts, or recover from existing disasters in the medium to long-term.

Strengthening Rural Communities – Rebuilding Rural Communities - Small Grants
Current Round Closes: 31st of May 2023 - 5:00 pm
Value: Up to $10,000
Run By: Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal
Supports a broad range of grassroots, community-led initiatives that assist communities to recover from and adapt to the impacts of the COVID pandemic. 

Supporting Young Scientists Program - 2022-23
Closes: 31st of May 2023 or until expended
Value: Up to $10,000
Run By: NSW Government Chief Scientist and Engineer
Grants to NSW high school students participating 'in person' or virtually in competitions, events or courses in an area related to science, technology, engineering or mathematics.

Closing Later

AFL National Schools Grants Program
Next Round Opens: 22nd of May 2023
Next Round Closes: 2nd of June 2023
Value: Up to $500
Run By: AFL NSW / ACT
A range of supports for schools who wish to take part in AFL experiences.

Sporting Schools - 2023
Next Round Opens: 22nd of May 2023 - 8:00 am
Next Round Closes: 2nd of June 2023 - 5:00 pm
Value: $1,000 to $3,600
Run By: Australian Sports Commission
Supports the delivery of sport-based programs for primary and year 7 and 8 students to build the confidence and capability to be active for life.

Playing Australia Project Investment
Closes: 6th of June 2023 - 3:00 pm
Value: Unspecified
Run By: Australia Council for the Arts
Supports performing arts tours to reach regional and remote communities across Australia.

Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program - 2023-24
Closes: 13th of June 2023 - 9:00 pm
Value: Up to $150,000
Run By: Department of Veterans Affairs
Supports projects that commemorate the service and sacrifice of Australia’s service personnel in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

Back to School Vouchers
Closes: 30th of June 2023
Value: Up to $150
Run By: Service
3 Vouchers per child in a NSW primary or secondary school to pay for school supplies.

Start Strong Capital Works Grants Program - Crisis Fund - 2022-23
Closes: 30th of June 2023
Value: Undisclosed
Run By: NSW Government Department of Education
Supports the maintenance and/or creation of preschool places where there is an immediate and/or urgent need for capital works.

Sisters of Charity Foundation Community Grants Program
Runs: Twice a year
Next Round Opens: 8th of July 2023
Next Round Closes: 31st of July 2023
Value: Up to $15,000
Run By: Sisters of Charity Foundation
Supports organisations that use clever ways to fight poverty, loneliness, suffering and oppression, but struggle to find funding.

NAB Foundation Community Grants - 2023
Closes: 31st of August 2023
Value: Up to $10,000
Supports practical projects that build environmental resilience to natural disasters and climate change.

Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups
Closes: 5th of September 2023 - 3:00 pm
Value: $10,000 to $50,000
Run By: Australia Council for the Arts
Supports a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public.

Volunteer Museum Grant Program - Project Development Grants - 2023
Opens: 16th of July 2023
Closes: 10th of September 2023
Value: $2,500 to $7,500
Run By: Museums and Galleries NSW
Supports community museums and Aboriginal cultural spaces to carry out strategic and innovative projects with mid to long term outcomes.

Volunteer Museum Grant Program - Leg Up Grants - 2023
Closes: 29th of October 2023 or until expended
Value: Up to $500
Run By: Museums and Galleries NSW
Quick response skill development grants for workers in volunteer managed museums and Aboriginal cultural spaces.

Volunteer Museum Grant Program - Skills Development Grants - 2023
Closes: 29th of October 2023 or until expended
Value: Up to $4,000
Run By: Museums and Galleries NSW
Provides funding to volunteer museums and museum networks for regional or state focused skill development training and networking events.

Community Initiated Grants
Closes: 30th of October 2023 - 11:30 pm
Value: Unspecified
Run By: National Indigenous Australians Agency
Provides and avenue 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.

Active Kids Vouchers - 2023
Closes: 31st of December 2023
Value: Up to $200
Run By: Service NSW
2 Vouchers to help children in primary or secondary school participate in physical activity.

Creative Kids Voucher - 2023
Closes: 31st of December 2023
Value: Up to $100
Run By: Service NSW
Voucher to help children in primary and secondary school participate in creative and cultural activities.

Ongoing

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 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
This 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.

Google Ad Grants
Closes: 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: 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, Communications and the Arts
Helps Australian public cultural organisations buy significant objects that they could not otherwise afford.

Quick Response Grants
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.

State Heritage Emergency Works
Closes: Ongoing
Value: $1,000 to $10,000
Run By: Heritage NSW
Supports the protection or repairs to gazetted Aboriginal Places, items listed on the State Heritage Register, or items with a current Interim Heritage Order that have been damaged by unexpected events.

Small Environmental Grant Scheme
Closes: Ongoing
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.

Dollar for Dollar Native Fish Stocking Program
Closes: Ongoing
Value: $1,000 to $6,000
Run By: NSW Department of Primary Industries
Aims to enhance recreational freshwater fishing opportunities, to support local communities in the stocking high value native fish species, to assist in the development of regional aquaculture industries and to increase community and industry involvement in, and awareness of responsible stocking.

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.

Regional Event Fund - Event Development Stream
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $50,000
Run By: Destination NSW
Supports events that have previously received triennial funding through the Flagship Event stream to increase overnight visitation to the event.

Capacity Building for Native Title Corporations
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $750,000 on average
Run By: National Indigenous Australians Agency
Assists native title holding corporations to generate economic benefits through the effective and sustainable management of their land.

Coopers Foundation - General Giving
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $30,000
Run By: Coopers Foundation
Aims to improve and protect the quality of life of Australians by providing support to charitable organisations.

Return to Work Program - Phase 3
Closes: Ongoing until funding is exhausted
Value: Up to $5,000
Run By: Service NSW
Supports women who have been unemployed for one month or more and intend to return to work within 6 months.

Seniors Energy Rebate
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $200
Run By: Service NSW
A once-a-year payment for self-funded retirees to help cover the cost of their electricity.

Tertiary Access Payment
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $5,000
Run By: Services Australia
A one off payment to help eligible students with the cost of moving to study.

First Home Buyer Choice
Closes: Ongoing
Run By: NSW Government Department of Revenue
First home buyers may be able to choose to pay an annual property tax instead of transfer duty.

First Home Owner (New Homes) Grant
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $10,000
Run By: NSW Government Department of Revenue
A one-off payment is available when you buy or build a new home as your first home.

Indigenous Apprenticeships Program
Closes: Ongoing
Run By: Services Australia
A pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to start their career in the Australian Public Service.

Start Strong Community Preschools - 2023
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Based on enrolments
Run By: NSW Government Department of Education
Funding to deliver affordable quality preschool education for 3 to 5 year old children enroled in eligible community and mobile preschools