Giving Tree Advisors
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Grant opportunities

Grant opportunities for Australian not-for-profits

A growing directory of the grants that fund community organisations across Australia, from local council programs to national foundations. Use it to see what is out there, then talk to us about the ones worth chasing.

Please note: this directory is a general guide to grant programs that support not-for-profits, charities, First Nations organisations and community groups in Australia. Availability, dates, amounts and eligibility change often, and a grant listed here may not be open right now. Always check with the funder, or contact us and we will confirm what is open and what fits your organisation.

Government grants

Funding from local councils, state governments and the federal government. Learn more on our Government Grants page.

Volunteer Grants

Check current round

Australian Government · Federal · Community organisations with volunteers · Around $1,000 to $5,000

Small grants that help community organisations support their volunteers, covering things like equipment, training, background checks and transport costs. One of the most accessible federal grants for grassroots groups.

Stronger Communities Programme

Check current round

Australian Government · Federal · Small community projects · Small capital grants

Small capital grants for local community projects and equipment, delivered through federal electorates. A good option for one-off purchases and improvements that benefit the wider community.

Local council community grants

Rounds through the year

Your local council · Local · Local groups, events and services · Varies by council

Almost every local council in Australia runs a community giving or community grants program for groups in its area. These fund local events, equipment, programs and services, and are a great place to build a track record.

State community and multicultural grants

Check current round

State governments · State · Community and multicultural organisations · Varies

State governments run regular grant rounds tied to their priorities, including community safety, multicultural participation, health, the arts and the environment. These often fund programs and infrastructure over one or more years.

Multicultural Infrastructure and Security Program (MISP)

Check current round

Department of Home Affairs · Federal · Multicultural and faith organisations · Varies

Federal funding for security and infrastructure upgrades at multicultural and faith-based community sites, from CCTV and fencing to security guards and facility works.

Safer Communities Fund

Check current round

Department of Home Affairs · Federal · Community, faith and school organisations · Varies

Federal grants for security infrastructure and crime prevention at community sites, places of worship and schools, with a focus on protecting communities at risk.

Social Enterprise Development Initiative (SEDI)

Often by invitation or EOI

Department of Social Services · Federal · Social enterprises · Up to around $120,000

Federal capability-building grants for social enterprises, funding planning, systems, staff and impact measurement. Giving Tree Advisors has secured $100,000 through SEDI for a client.

Multicultural Community Infrastructure Fund (Victoria)

Check current round

Victorian Government · State · Multicultural and multifaith organisations · Varies

Victorian Government funding for building, upgrading and equipping community facilities used by multicultural and multifaith communities.

Multicultural Festivals and Events Grants (Victoria)

Rounds through the year

Victorian Government · State · Multicultural community organisations · Small to medium

Victorian Government grants for festivals, cultural celebrations and community events that bring diverse communities together.

Community Sport Infrastructure Grants

Check current round

State and federal governments · Sports clubs and councils · Varies

State and federal funding for pavilions, lighting, playing surfaces and inclusive sports facilities, often delivered in partnership with local councils.

Regional Development Victoria Grants

Rounds through the year

Regional Development Victoria · State · Regional councils, organisations and businesses · Varies

Victorian Government funding for regional community infrastructure, economic development, events and jobs, delivered through Regional Development Victoria.

SEMPHN Community Grants

Check current round

South Eastern Melbourne PHN · Regional · Community and health organisations · Varies

Primary Health Network funding for community wellbeing, mental health and health promotion programs in Melbourne's south east. Giving Tree Advisors has secured $95,000 through SEMPHN for a client.

Victorian Anti-Racism and Social Cohesion Grants

Check current round

Victorian Government · State · Community and multifaith organisations · Small to medium

Victorian Government funding for community-led projects that tackle racism, support affected communities and strengthen social cohesion.

Corporate grants

Funding from company foundations and community programs. Learn more on our Corporate Grants page.

Bunnings community support

Rounds through the year

Bunnings · Corporate · Local community groups · In-kind and small grants

Local support from Bunnings stores for community groups, from sausage sizzle fundraising days to materials and small grants for local projects.

Supermarket community grants

Check current round

Coles and Woolworths · Corporate · Community and food-relief groups · Varies

Coles and Woolworths both run community programs supporting food relief, local groups and community wellbeing, a natural fit for food-focused and grassroots organisations.

Bank and company foundations

Check current round

Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, Qantas, Telstra and more · Corporate · Community organisations · Varies

Many of Australia's largest companies run charitable foundations that make structured grants each year, including the Commonwealth Bank, Westpac Foundation, Qantas Foundation and Telstra Foundation.

Bank of Melbourne Foundation Thrive Community Grants

Check current round

Bank of Melbourne Foundation · Corporate · Victorian charities and NFPs · Small to medium

An annual community grants round for Victorian not-for-profits, supporting programs that help people and communities thrive.

Ansvar Community Education Program

Check current round

Ansvar Insurance · Corporate · Not-for-profits working with young people · Small to medium

Corporate grants for education programs that help young people navigate social issues such as wellbeing, safety and inclusion.

Australia Post Community Grants

Check current round

Australia Post · Corporate · Local community organisations · Up to around $10,000

Small annual grants for community projects that build connection and improve mental wellbeing, with a focus on regional and diverse communities.

Bendigo Bank Community Bank Grants

Rounds through the year

Community Bank branches · Corporate, local · Local groups and clubs · Small to medium

Locally decided grants and sponsorships from Community Bank branches, one of the most accessible sources of funding for local clubs and community groups.

Philanthropic grants

Funding from trusts and foundations. Learn more on our Philanthropic & Charity Grants page.

Strengthening Rural Communities

Rounds through the year

Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal · Philanthropic · Rural and regional groups · Varies

Grants supporting the social and economic strength of small rural, regional and remote communities across Australia, run by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal.

Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation

Check current round

Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation · Philanthropic · Melbourne and Victorian organisations · Varies

One of Australia's largest community foundations, funding work across areas like homelessness, healthy environments, education and community wellbeing.

Major national foundations

Often by invitation

Ian Potter Foundation, Gandel Foundation and others · Philanthropic · Established organisations · Varies

Large national foundations that fund significant programs and initiatives. Some accept applications and many give through relationships, so knowing how each one works saves a lot of wasted effort.

Collier Charitable Fund Grants

Check current round

Collier Charitable Fund · Philanthropic · Registered charities · Varies

A long-established Victorian philanthropic fund with an annual open round supporting welfare, health, education, religious and community projects.

Perpetual IMPACT Philanthropy Application Program

Check current round

Perpetual-managed trusts · Philanthropic · DGR charities · Varies

One application considered by hundreds of charitable trusts managed by Perpetual, one of Australia's largest philanthropic rounds.

Equity Trustees Grants

Rounds through the year

Equity Trustees-managed trusts · Philanthropic · DGR charities · Varies

Regular grant rounds from hundreds of charitable trusts managed by Equity Trustees, covering health, welfare, education, environment and the arts.

The Funding Network

Check current round

The Funding Network · Collective giving · Small NFPs and social enterprises · Tens of thousands

Live crowdfunding events where small charities and social enterprises pitch to donors, raising funds and visibility in a single night.

Australian Communities Foundation Grants

Rounds through the year

Australian Communities Foundation · Community foundation · Charities and community organisations · Varies

A community foundation channelling giving from many donors into grants for social change, equity and community-led work.

Jewish community funders

Foundations, funds and programs that support Jewish community organisations in Australia. Giving Tree Advisors has written successful applications to several of these funders. Learn more on our Philanthropic & Charity Grants page.

Gandel Foundation Grants

Often by invitation or EOI

Gandel Foundation · Philanthropic · Registered charities, strong Jewish community focus · Varies

One of Australia's largest family foundations, supporting community, education, health, the arts and Jewish community life, with open grant rounds that move quickly.

Cranbourne Foundation Grants

Rounds through the year

Cranbourne Foundation · Philanthropic · Charities and community organisations · Varies

A Melbourne private foundation that accepts approaches from grant seekers and supports community, education and welfare initiatives.

Chessed Community Grants

Check current round

Chessed · Jewish community philanthropy · Jewish community organisations · Small grants

Small grants for kosher catering, Shabbat programs, retreats and welfare initiatives that strengthen Jewish community connection in Melbourne.

ECAJ Community Security Grants

Check current round

ECAJ · National, community administered · Jewish community organisations · Varies

Government-funded security grants for Jewish community sites, schools and synagogues, administered through the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.

Mosaic United Innovation Initiative

Often by invitation or EOI

Mosaic United · International Jewish philanthropy · Jewish engagement programs · Varies

International funding for innovative programs that strengthen Jewish identity and engagement, particularly among young people.

Besen Family Foundation

Often by invitation or EOI

Besen Family Foundation · Philanthropic · Registered charities · Varies

A Melbourne family foundation supporting the arts, education, health and community, including Jewish community organisations.

Pratt Foundation

Often by invitation or EOI

Pratt Foundation · Philanthropic · Registered charities · Varies

One of Australia's largest private foundations, supporting community welfare, health, education, the arts and Jewish community causes.

Not sure where to start?

Let's find the grants worth chasing.

Book a free grant consultation and we will point you to the opportunities that best fit your organisation right now.