See also our tips for writing grant applications and sample successful applications.
General
Federal Volunteer Grants: Grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 are available to help community organisations support their volunteers, for example, by buying small equipment for volunteers, paying transport or training costs, or promoting awareness and increasing participation. Expressions of interest are now being taken by your local MP's office (which depends on your electorate): Alicia Payne in Canberra; David Smith in Bean; or Andrew Leigh in Fenner. Due dates vary between offices (30 August - 14 September), so check carefully.
Children's Week Grants - ACT Children’s Week Committee offers small seeding grants (typically around $200) to help run activities and events for Children’s Week. The week is 14 October – 5 November, which would be perfect for orientation activities for new school families!
Closes 18 Saptember.
Real Insurance Grants - Write about how you would improve your school to win $5000! For health, IT, community development and Infrastructure projects. Closes 31 October.
BMD Community Assistance Program provides one-off sponsorship or grants up to $5000 to organisations and community groups that deliver long lasting benefits to communities. Two rounds a year, closing March and October.
Some ACT Government grants are available to P&Cs and community groups.
ACT Youth Grants provide up to $2000 for projects, events and activities that support engagement and connections of young people (aged 12 to 25) and celebrate the diversity and contributions to our community.
Westfield Local Heroes - Funds community nominated individuals with a $20,000 grant to support their affiliated organisation’s work, programs or activities. Open for nominations in first Term each year.
IGA Community Chest - approach your local IGA for funding for small community-building projects.
A quick online application could secure your P&C a grant of $1000-$5000 from Budget Direct. Worth a look if you have a project aimed at making a difference in your local community. Four applications cycles each year.
Damien Greer Lawyers have $1000 community grants for organisations making a difference to their local community. Applications usually close June each year.
Canberra Southern Cross Club Community Support Grants are annual grants of up to $5000 to support special projects, local events and activities that benefit the Canberra community. Applications due May each year.
The ANZ Staff Foundation provides grants of around $5,000 to support a variety of projects from helping disadvantaged youth to the environment. Only P&Cs with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status can apply. Applications are accepted twice a year.
Small seeding grants are available to fund Children’s Week-related activities and events. Activities should increase awareness of the needs, interest, rights and achievements of children and/or young people, and promote community involvement and cooperation. This year there is a special focus on intergenerational activities and STEM-related events. Closes September 17 in 2023.
IMB Bank Community Foundation: Funding for a broad range of projects. Opening an IMB bank account is a condition of receiving a grant. Closes 16 June
The ActewAGM community partnership program offers up to $20,000 for a range of projects including for community engagement. Closes 30 June
STEM
National Science Week Grants provide individuals and organisations with up to $20,000 to support the delivery of science engagement activities during National Science Week 2023, Australia’s major national celebration of science.
Close 15 December. ABN needed to apply.
Food services
If your P&C provides support for disadvantaged or under-served members of your community via a food service, you could apply for $5000 worth of equipment and cash through the SilverChef Community Grants Program. Applications are taken in four rounds throughout the year.
Cultural Integrity
NAIDOC Week Grants support community celebrations of the histories, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples during NAIDOC Week each year. Closes around March each year.
Inclusion
I-Day Grants assist individuals and community organisations to run events for the International Day of People with Disability (I-Day; 3 December). Apply online in August/September each year.
Diability Inclusion grants provide funding for community organisations to promote social inclusion for people with disability through the removal of barriers to participation. Applications close Monday 6 March.
The ACT Environmental Grants Program supports community groups to address environmental issues they are concerned about, to restore and conserve natural places that are special to them, and to engage other community members to do the same. Closes 31 March.
Community Garden Grants provide funds to establish or maintain community gardens, including larger projects or significant infrastructure. Closing date is 7 September. Recent past recipients include several P&Cs, and bush-tucker gardens!
Health/Sport
The Mental Health Month Program provides up to $5000 to help ACT organisations host a mental health-focused event during Mental Health Month in October.
The Active Australia Innovation Challenge provides up to $10,000 for projects to support people who do not meet Australia’s Physical Activity Guidelines and those at risk of chronic disease. Offered mod-year most years. Your P&C needs an ABN to apply.
The AusPost Community Grants Program offers up to $10,000 to community-led, local projects that connect individuals and communities to improve mental health and wellbeing. You must have an ABN to apply. Closes mid-year each year.
Mental Health Month Reimbursement Grants provide up to $1,000 to help ACT organisations host a mental health focused event during the month of October. Open April or May each year.
Sporting Schools grants to help schools deliver sport-based activities before, during or after school hours, up to $9000.