Bank & Company Foundation Grants
Many of Australia's largest companies run charitable foundations that make grants each year. Here is how company foundation funding works, who can apply, and how to write an application that wins.
At a glance
Each foundation has its own focus, cycle and rules. Examples include the Commonwealth Bank, Westpac Foundation, Qantas Foundation and Telstra Foundation. Always check current guidelines, or ask us.
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Speak to a grant writer today →What are company foundation grants?
A company foundation is a charitable arm set up by a business to give back in a structured way. Australia's big banks and companies run some of the best known, including the Commonwealth Bank, Westpac Foundation, Qantas Foundation and Telstra Foundation. Each has a clear focus, such as community wellbeing, social enterprise, young people or reconciliation, and makes grants to organisations whose work matches.
Because the giving is planned and values-driven, a strong application shows a genuine fit with what the foundation is trying to achieve.
Who they are for
Company foundations generally fund registered charities and not-for-profits, and some support social enterprises. Funders usually look for organisations that:
- Are a registered charity or not-for-profit
- Have work that clearly fits the foundation's focus
- Can show real outcomes and good governance
- Are able to report on the funding
What they can fund
- Programs and service delivery
- Capacity building and organisational growth
- Social enterprise and innovation
- Multi-year partnerships in some cases
How to write a competitive application
Foundation grants are competitive and fit-driven. Here is what makes an application stand out.
1. Show a genuine fit
Line your work up with the foundation's stated focus and values. Funders back the organisations that clearly share their goals.
2. Lead with outcomes
Set out what will change, for whom, and how you will measure it. Foundations want to see the difference their money makes.
3. Build trust
Good governance, a clear plan and a track record all signal that the funding is in safe hands.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying to a foundation whose focus does not match your work
- Outcomes that are vague or cannot be measured
- A generic application that could have been sent to anyone
Want an expert to write it for you?
Speak to a grant writer today →A stronger application, and your time back
Grants are competitive, and the detail is where they are won or lost. A professional grant writer helps you put your best case forward, and frees your team to keep doing the work.
We know what funders look for, answer every criterion, keep your budget clean, hit every deadline, and tell you honestly which grants are worth chasing.
Company foundation grants FAQ
Do we need to be a registered charity?
Often yes. Many company foundations fund registered charities, though some support not-for-profits and social enterprises more broadly. We can check which foundations suit your status.
How big are the grants?
It varies widely by foundation, from modest grants to substantial multi-year partnerships. Matching your ask to the right foundation is part of the work.
Can Giving Tree Advisors write the application for us?
Yes. We can find the foundations that fit, shape your outcomes and story, and write the whole application, so your team can stay focused on delivery.
Let's turn this grant into a win.
Book a free grant consultation and we will match you to the right company foundations and put your strongest application forward.