Grants available for community groups and projects
Right now there are hundreds of grants for communities open and available nationwide, offering millions of dollars to support community-led projects.
Despite the number of grants out there, here at The Grants Hub we understand that finding relevant grants for community groups can feel overwhelming. That’s why our Grants Directory was created - to support grassroots community groups like yours and make finding grants easy.
Whether your organisation is small and entirely volunteer run or you have paid staff with an office (and all of the operating costs that come with it), you may be eligible for nationwide community grants from philanthropic, corporate and government funding providers, as well as local grant programs targeting specific regional communities.
Below we’ve outlined categories of grants for communities - and how to find them.
What grants are available for community projects?
Community development grants
Health and wellbeing grants
Disaster recovery and resilience grants
Arts and culture grants
Sustainability and environmental grants
Festival, event and tourism grants
Infrastructure and heritage preservation grants.
Who is eligible for grants for community groups?
Not for profit organisations
Welfare and social services
Health services
Schools and training services
Artists and arts collectives
Sporting clubs
Animal welfare groups
Environmental and landcare groups.
Where can I start looking for grants for communities?
There are many ways to find grants for communities. Our top three:
Local governments: are major providers of community funding - check your local council website for grants and funding available in your region.
Community Foundations: offer place-based funding and networking opportunities
A Grants Directory: like The Grants Hub will help you save time and efficiently filter only for grants relevant to your needs.
Tips For a Successful Community Grant Application
Before you start working on your community grant application:
Check out our Fundraising & grant search tips for small organisations
Always make sure you’re eligible
Prioritise grants where you have a higher chance of success - e.g. more than a few grants will be made (a large ‘pool’ of funding) or only a few organisations are likely to be eligible (a small ‘pool’ of applicants)
Estimate how much time is required to compile the application against the total value of your request
Review the funding conditions to ensure you can meet the funding provider’s requirements, if successful
Consult with your community and collaborators before you apply
Connect with the funding provider with any questions.
By using this blog as a blueprint, we hope you’re feeling confident that finding and winning community grants is definitely within your reach!
Before you go, below are a few grants for community groups currently available:
Harcourts Foundation Grants
Provides support for a specific event, project, item, or initiative that helps, grows, and enriches our communities.
Applications close 3 February 2023.
Save to Favourites/Calendar | Apply Now
Westfield Local Heroes
Shines the spotlight on individuals in Australia and New Zealand who make a positive impact to their local community or environment. Community members nominate their heroes and Westfield selects three finalists for each Westfield Centre to go through to the community vote.
Nominations close 30 March 2023.
Save to Favourites/Calendar | Apply Now
Bennelong Foundation Grants
Aims to enhance community wellbeing and provide opportunities for positive and lasting change in our community. The Foundation seeks to support programs that respond to an identified area of need in the community that are presently not being addressed, or that take a new approach to problem solving.
Applications close 27 January 2023.
Save to Favourites/Calendar | Apply Now
Strengthening Rural Communities – Rebuilding Rural Communities (up to $10,000)
Gives small remote, rural and regional communities across Australia the opportunity to access funds for a broad range of initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities.
Applications close 1 March 2023.
Save to Favourites/Calendar | Apply Now
NAB Foundation Community Grants
Helps safeguard communities with funding for projects that prepare for natural disasters, support long-term recovery and build resilience against future disasters. Grants of up to $10,000 are available for community-led projects.
Applications close 28 February 2023.
Save to Favourites/Calendar | Apply Now
Sisters of Charity Foundation Community Grants Program
Funds innovative community projects that break down social isolation and alleviate the impact of poverty on individuals and families.
Applications close 5 February 2023.