Database of Funding Sources and Resources
This database provides details of funding organisations and resources that may be useful when developing your funding strategy.
Organisations should aim to secure a diverse pool of funding support.
Sources of funding support include:
- Government funding (e.g., local council, state or federal funding)
- Foundation support (e.g., general funds or project support)
- Corporations and businesses (e.g., both financial support and/or in-kind contributions)
- Philanthropic trusts and foundations (e.g., funding to pilot innovative services/programs)
- Individual donors (e.g., both financial support and/or in-kind contributions).
Funding organisations will also employ several funding models (i.e., tenders, procurements, and grants). It is important that you understand how the funding models differ and how this may affect your organisation's proposal, reporting requirements, and contractual obligations. The tables below describe the different sources of funding arrangements and provide examples of key differences between funding arrangements.
Types of Funding Processes | Description |
---|---|
Tenders |
Outcomes are predefined by the funding body. Funders are purchasing a service or product at a specified price. Funding is provided pursuant to meeting designated milestones. Often there is a short time frame between the request for tender and the closing date. |
Procurement |
Governments arrange for public services to be delivered by external suppliers. Also known as contracting or service agreements. All Australian governments are placing a greater emphasis on procuring services, including alcohol and other drug services. Funders determine the service needed, the standard required, and the price payable. Organisations should assess what the funder is asking for and whether it is acheivable for their organisation. The contract will outline the:
If the service is not provided as agreed, the funder may terminate the contract or agreement. As organisations need to demonstrate that they are viable, this funding process may not suit small, start-up organisations. Small organisations should consider partnering with a larger organisation when participating in the procurement process. |
Grants |
Grants usually provide one-off support to organisations for a specific purpose over a specified period of time. They are awarded to fund project-based research, pilot initiatives, or community development activities. Grants are generally provided subject to conditions that state how the grant must be used (e.g., the provision of alcohol and other drug counselling). If the funding is not used for the specified purpose within the designated time frame, the funds may have to be returned. For both grants and tenders, there is an obligation to achieve what was described in your proposal and there may be a requirement to provide progress/annual reports. Grant recipients are not able to make a profit from a grant. |
See Contract Compliance and After Submission for more information about how to vary contract clauses and negotiate with funding bodies. |
This database may assist you to identify potential sources of funding to target in your funding development strategy (see Developing a Funding Strategy).
Please note descriptions about each entry on the database are taken directly from the original source.
Filter by category:
Auscharity
The Auscharity site has a good selection of links for fundraisers as well as a database of contact details for major Australian Charities.
Visit Auscharity websiteAustralian Communities Foundation
Australian Communities Foundation supports a range of charitable organisations and projects each year.
The Foundation’s grants are made locally, nationally and internationally through Australian registered charitable organisations. Grants are made to specific projects and/or to purposes that support the ongoing activities of organisations. With over 200 sub-funds, Australian Communities Foundation provides over 500 grants annually that:
- Fall broadly into the areas of:
- Arts & culture
- Community development & advocacy
- Community services & welfare, disability, education
- Training & employment
- Environment
- Health & medical research
- Overseas aid & development.
- Support specific target groups, including Indigenous communities and refugee/asylum seekers.
Australian Communities Foundation
Australian Communities Foundation supports a range of charitable organisations and projects each year.
The Foundation’s grants are made locally, nationally and internationally through Australian registered charitable organisations. Grants are made to specific projects and/or to purposes that support the ongoing activities of organisations. With over 200 sub-funds, Australian Communities Foundation provides over 500 grants annually that:
- Fall broadly into the areas of:
- Arts & culture
- Community development & advocacy
- Community services & welfare, disability, education
- Training & employment
- Environment
- Health & medical research
- Overseas aid & development.
- Support specific target groups, including Indigenous communities and refugee/asylum seekers.
Australian Government Department of Social Services
The Australian Government Department of Social Services (DSS) website provides information on:
- Current funding opportunites
- General information on funding including information to assist potential applicants.
Brisbane City Council Community Grants
Brisbane City Council's grants programs provide funding to help local non-profit community groups develop and improve facilities and services in Brisbane including crime prevention activities, community development and capacity building initiatives and community support.
Visit Brisbane City Council Community Grants websiteBusiness.Gov.Au
Business.gov.au is an Australian government initiative which offers simple and convenient access to all the government information, forms and services.
It provides information on planning, starting and growing your business.
Business.gov.au also identifies grants and other funding programs for business related activities.
Visit Business.Gov.Au websiteCharities Aid Foundation
Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) is a charity dedicated to getting the best for other charities and their donors. CAF is committed to facilitating the most effective and efficient ways to connect donors to the causes that matter to them and for money to get where it's needed.
They provide donation processing for charities and advice and training to help build their fundraising income.
Visit Charities Aid Foundation websiteClubGRANTS
ClubGRANTS funding is available to community groups, charities and sporting teams across NSW.
Funding is available under three categories:
- Category 1: Supports community welfare and social services; community development; employment assistance activities; community health services; and projects aimed at improving the living standards of low income and disadvantaged people
- Category 2: Provides funding for general community development and support activities, such as junior sport
- Category 3: Is a state-wide fund that supports large-scale community infrastructure projects, such as hospitals and sporting facilities.
The website provides more information about the scheme and guidelines for application.
Visit ClubGRANTS websiteCommunity Enterprise Foundation
The Community Enterprise Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Group. It administers community grants and scholarship programs on behalf of a wide range of individuals, businesses and governments. The Foundation facilitates a wide range of grants for eligible charities and not-for-profit organisations in Australia.
Visit Community Enterprise Foundation websiteCommunity Grant Guru
Community Grant Guru is a free listing of national grants and funding programs for community based and not-for-profit organisations.
Users can register to receive regular email alerts.
Visit Community Grant Guru websitecommunitybuilders.nsw
The Communitybuilders.nsw website is an interactive electronic clearing house.
It contains links to funding sources for community groups and projects from federal, state and local government as well as some philanthropic funds and companies.
Visit communitybuilders.nsw websiteConnecting Up
The Connecting Up Directory is a database that aims to list all not-for-profit organisations and charities in Australia.
Its purpose is to connect not-for-profit organisations and charities with each other and to act as a resource for the:
- Not-for-profit sector
- Public
- Donors and funders
- Government organisations
- Businesses
- Other stakeholders.
Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal
The Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal aims to take a leadership role in assisting regional, rural and remote communities to respond to social, cultural and economic change.
It offers small grants of up to $5,000 for projects and activities that offer clear public benefit for communities with populations of 10,000 or less, in rural and remote locations throughout Australia.
The grants program is open twice a year, and closes at the end of March and September.
Visit Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal websiteGandel Philanthropy
Gandel Philanthropy awards grants to community organisations to meet the immediate and long-term needs of the Australian and Jewish communities in eight areas of interest:
- Arts and Culture
- Education
- Health and Medical Research
- Community Development
- Social Cohesion and Inclusion
- Poverty and Disadvantage
- Environment
- Emergency Response & Recovery.
Get A Grant Database
Get A Grant allows grant seekers to enter their unique search criteria to obtain a shortlist of available grants.
Registration is free.
Subscription packages may also be purchased.
Visit Get A Grant Database websiteGrant Search Australia
The grantsearch database contains approximately 3,000 sources of financial support including grants and scholarships.
Users can undertake sample free searches or alternatively they can subscribe to the Directory. Subscription fees start at $32.95 for 7 days access.
Visit Grant Search Australia websiteGrants Victoria
The Victorian Government grants directory enables users to search for government grants and financial assistance within Victoria.
Community, education, legal and business grants or financial assistance are listed in the directory.
Grants are available for a wide range of groups and projects including volunteers, sporting groups, community infrastructure and multicultural events.
The Grants Information Line (phone 1300 366 356) staffed by Information Victoria alsos provides general information about programs and funding.
Visit Grants Victoria websiteGrantsearch
Grantsearch is a paid subscription service providing access to an online database of funding opportunities for individuals, community groups and businesses.
A basic, seven-day-access subscription costs approximately $32.
Grantsearch also publishes a printed version of its database every two years.
Visit Grantsearch websiteGrantsLINK
GrantsLINK is a comprehensive website maintained by the Australian Government Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport. It offers direct links to existing information on Australian Government grants programs.
The database provides information about federal, state and local government funding programs for individuals, businesses and community organisations. It also offers advice on finding the best source of funding and on writing application forms.
The site can be browsed by subject, agency or grants name or it can be searched by key words.
Local Government of South Australia
A variety of grants are available through South Australian local councils.
Visit the Local Government Association of SA website to find out more information.
You can also contact South Australian Local Councils directly to find out more information about funding opportunities.
Visit Local Government of South Australia websiteLotterywest
Lotterywest is a Western Australian State government statutory authority operating under the Lotteries Commission Act 1990 (WA).
More than 1000 grants totalling over $100 million dollars are distributed annually.
These grants are intended to complement other sources of support, including a contribution from an organisation's own resources.
Visit Lotterywest websiteNational Australia Bank Corporate Responsibility Programs
The National Australia Bank supports a range of community initiatives and provides funding to not-for profit organisations through the MLC Community Foundation.
Since its inception the MLC Community Foundation has invested $5.93 million in grants and programs, aimed at improving Mental Health outcomes for all Australians. It aims to build genuine relationships by taking a sustainable approach to the creation of long-term business value and acknowledges the material impact that mental health issues has on our customers, people and business. See the Social Impact Grants Program for more information.
Visit National Australia Bank Corporate Responsibility Programs websiteNorthern Territory Community Benefit Fund
The Community Benefit Fund was established to provide funding support for gambling-related research and amelioration programs concerned with problem gambling, as well as Community Benefit Grants which provide assistance for general community development and improvement purposes,
The fund receives money from levies imposed on the operation of electronic gaming machines operated by licensed hotels throughout the Northern Territory.
Northern Territory Youth Engagement Grants Program
Do you need some funding for an innovative event, program or project that engages young Territorians aged 12 to 25 years? If so, the Office of Youth Affairs may be able help make your idea happen!
The Office of Youth Affairs manages the Youth Engagement Grants Program. The program engages young Territorians through a variety of drug and alcohol free entertainment and youth development and leadership programs. Grants of up to $2,000 are available. Quick response grants of up to $500 for individuals and up to $2,000 for organisations are also available.
NRMA Insurance Community Grants Program
The NRMA Insurance Community Grants Program supports grants which make the community safer, more sustainable, and better prepared to respond to emergencies by providing grants of up to $5,000 to community projects in the areas of:
- Crime Prevention
- Road Safety
- Emergency Readiness & Response
- Environment.
NSW Community Relations Commission
The NSW Community Relations Commission provides funding for projects involving culturally diverse and socially or geographically isolated communities in NSW.
It administers the Multicultural Advantage Grants Program:
- Multicultural Partnership Grants: From time to time the Commission invites suitable organisations and partners to apply for a Partnership Grant of up to $80,000 for long-term projects (up to three years), that maximise economic participation and the linguistic and cultural assets of the NSW population
- Community Inclusion Grants: Grants of up to $20,000 for projects with a particular focus on mentoring and inter-cultural and inter-faith activities that bring diverse groups of people together
- Sponsorship Grants: Up to $2,000 to support events and activities, such as festivals that foster community cohesion and promote the benefits of a multicultural society. Applications for Sponsorship grants must be submitted to the Commission not less than 8 weeks prior to the event.
NSW Department of Education and Training
The NSW Department of Education and Training Community Grants Program works with community organisations to maximise opportunities for people with specific needs through education, training and employment.
Information is available on:
- Aboriginal Services Programs
- Community Language Schools Program
- Links to Learning Program (for socially disadvantaged youth)
- Intervention Support Program (for children and students with disabilities).
Optus Connecting Communities Grants Program
Optus Community Grants provide funding of up to $10,000 to projects which address the following issues:
- Education: This category funds projects that help to improve education outcomes. Projects funded will aim to close education gaps, help kids stay engaged in school and remove barriers to completing education or training. Projects may fund equipment enabling the completion of school or TAFE assignments.
- Wellbeing: This category funds projects, which help to improve young people's wellbeing. This category includes young people accessing appropriate programs or resources in areas such as mental health, emotional and physical wellbeing support.
- Access to technology: This category funds projects for young people who come from difficult backgrounds with limited financial resources and access to technology. Projects may focus on the safe and responsible use of phones and the internet among youth.
Application rounds usually start in September of each year.
Visit Optus Connecting Communities Grants Program websiteOur Community Easy Grants Database
The Our Community grants database provides a comprehensive listing of grants from around Australia and internationally.
A paid subscription service includes access to an online database of Federal, State and philanthropic grants, and a monthly EasyGrants email newsletter.
Subscriptions are paid annually and start at $55 per annum.
Visit Our Community Easy Grants Database websitePathways Australia
Pathways Australia provides information and support for not-for-profit organisations.
Membership fees are based on your organisation's annual income/revenue.
Membership benefits include access to funding databases and regular funding alerts.
Visit Pathways Australia websitePerpetual
Perpetual distribute funds provided by philanthropic clients. The majority of these trusts and endowments have specified charitable terms and directions attached.
For those trusts and endowments where Perpetual has the discretion in regards to amounts and recipients, non-profit organisations have the opportunity to apply for grants through the annual funding round.
Visit Perpetual websitePhilanthropy Australia
The Australian Directory of Philanthropy lists 350 trusts and foundations.
The Directory includes tips on applying for grants and writing submissions.
An annual subscription costs $85.
Visit Philanthropy Australia websitePro Bono Australia
Pro Bono Australia offers the not-for-profit sector:
- A directory of Australian not-for-profit organisations
- A free electronic newsletter containing items of interest for the sector
- Listings of events and jobs in the sector.
Queensland Community Foundation (QCF)
Queensland Community Foundation (QCF) is a state and national charitable trust fund providing a sustainable income and grants for non-profit organisations.
It was established to benefit the Queensland community and Queensland non-profit organisations.
QCF only funds organisations endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office as a deductible gift recipient and must be listed under Item 1 of the Table in Section 30–15 of the Income Tax Assessment Act, 1936.
Visit Queensland Community Foundation (QCF) websiteQueensland Government Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs
The Queensland Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs offers funding initiatives to:
- Promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural, educational, health and social development within specific regions
- Assist eligible local government and non-government organisations deliver innovative projects that support economic independence and participation and business development for Queenslanders from culturally diverse backgrounds
- Support multicultural events that promote community cohesion, foster harmonious community relations and participation, and strengthen understanding of cultural diversity.
Queensland Government Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services
The Queensland Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services aims to strengthen connections between individuals, families and communities.
Under the Community Services Act 2007 (Qld) all non-government service providers seeking eligibility to receive funding (that is not one-off) from the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services must be Approved Service Providers.
See the website for more information about available funding opportunities.
Visit Queensland Government Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services websiteQueensland Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation
The Queensland Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation Community Benefit Funds Unit administers the following funding programs:
- Gambling Community Benefit Fund: Established in 1994. Funds are distributed to not-for-profit community groups to help them provide community services or activities that benefit the Queensland community
- Jupiters Casino Community Benefit Fund: Established in 1987. Funds are distributed to not-for-profit community groups to help them provide community services or activities within the specified geographical jurisdiction from the Queensland and New South Wales border, to the northern boundries of Boulia, Winton, Barcaldine and Isaac
- Reef Hotel Casino Community Benefit Fund: Established in 1996. Funds are distributed to not-for-profit community groups to help them provide community services or activities within the specified geographical jurisdiction North from Burke, Carpentaria, Croydon, Etheridge, Tablelands and Cassowary Coast, including Torres Strait and Thursday Islands
- Breakwater Island Casino Community Benefit Fund: Established in 1988. Funds are distributed to not-for-profit community groups to help them provide community services or activities within the specified geographical jurisdiction of Mount Isa, Cloncurry, McKinlay, Richmond, Flinders, Charters Towers, Hinchinbrook, Townsville, Burdekin, Whitsunday and Mackay
South Australian Department for Communities and Social Inclusion
The South Australian Department for Communities and Social Inclusion offer various grants to:
- Incorporated, non-government, non profit, charitable and social welfare organisations.
- Support organisations with volunteers to deliver important services in the community. Grants are provided by the Office for Volunteers to the South Australian volunteer community.
- Celebrate and increase the understanding of the culturally diverse community we live in. Grants are available for projects, events, festivals, community development and using the media to promote multiculturalism.
- Improve opportunities and achieve positive life outcomes for South Australia's young people, aged 12-25.
Tasmania Online
Tasmania Online provides a comprehensive search of Tasmanian business, community and government websites.
It is a search-only site that automatically finds Tasmanian content based on geographic location.
Visit Tasmania Online websiteTasmanian Community Fund
The Tasmanian Community Fund was established in 1999 to provide grants to not-for-profit organisations.
Grants are provided to community organisations that can demonstrate that their proposed activities will enhance well-being and improve social, environmental and economic outcomes for the Tasmanian Community.
Visit Tasmanian Community Fund websiteTasmanian Department of Treasury and Finance Community Support Levy
The Tasmanian Department of Treasury and Finance distributes a community support levy to sport and recreation clubs, charitable organisations, and other initiatives such as:
- Research into gambling
- Services for the prevention of compulsive gambling
- Treatment for the rehabilitation of compulsive gamblers
- Community education concerning gambling
- Other health services.
Grant applications for charitable organisation
The Gambling Support Program, which is located within the Department of Health and Human Services, has responsibility for making recommendations to the Commission for expenditure against the 25 per cent of the CSL for the benefit of charitable organisations.
Visit Tasmanian Department of Treasury and Finance Community Support Levy websiteTasmanian Government Department of Premier and Cabinet
Community Development Division
The Department of Premier and Cabinet Community Development Division brings together a number of related activities that have a focus on improving the quality of life of all Tasmanians, building community capacity, addressing social disadvantage and facilitating active citizenship.
As a whole the Division works by:
- Providing policy advice to the Premier and relevant Ministers about the impact of policy decisions, services or programs upon communities
- Leading whole-of-Government policy initiatives
- Developing effective community engagement models for Government
- Supporting peak bodies and advisory structures which can act as a link between particular communities and Government
- Engaging directly with communities, where necessary, to find out about the impact of Government policy, to identify emerging issues or to assist communities to ‘navigate’ Government services and programs
- Supporting other Government agencies to improve their service delivery to Tasmanians, and in particular to those population groups who are often poorly served or excluded.
The work of the Division is fundamental to implementing Tasmania Together, the community's plan for the social, economic and environmental future of the State.
The Community Development Division recognises and values the important role that local government, non-government community organisations and community groups play in delivering projects, programs and events that support Tasmanian communities.
The Grants and Community Engagement Branch supports and enhances the relationship between the State Government and the community through:
- The development of knowledge and understanding of community development and stakeholder engagement;
- Collaboration with stakeholders in government, non-government and business sectors to promote community development and engagement; and
- The strategic management of community grants programs that promote community development.
The Mercy Foundation
The Mercy Foundation is committed to social justice and structural change to create greater social equity and inclusion in the Australian community. The primary social justice issue with which the Mercy Foundation is currently concerned is homelessness and its related causes and consequences, including affordable housing, poverty, family violence, social exclusion, mental illness, disability, addictions and brain injury.
The Mercy Foundation is involved in supporting initiatives which have one or more of the following as their core goal:
-
Ending chronic homelessness
-
Responding appropriately to homelessness
-
Preventing homelessness.
The Mercy Foundation has a special interest in the prevention and impact of homelessness on single women and women with accompanying children and in the implementation of appropriate policy, systems and service responses.
The Mercy Foundation is an independent voice, informed by evidence and current research on the issue of homelessness, its causes and consequences.
The Mercy Foundation works in partnership with other organisations to advocate, research and implement improved responses to homelessness.
The Mercy Foundation aims to challenge structures and systems that will break the cycle of homelessness and does not support responses to homelessness which perpetuate charitable models of service provision.
Visit The Mercy Foundation websiteThe Reichstein Foundation
The Reichstein Foundation provides grants in the areas of:
- Reducing inequality
- Social justice and the law
- Environmental sustainability.
They focus on policy reform, research and education, and advocacy rather than direct service delivery.
Visit The Reichstein Foundation websiteThe Telstra Foundation
The Telstra Foundation provides grant funding for social innovation projects.
There are no formal grant rounds and organisations can apply any time during the year.
When applying for funding, organisations will need to demonstrate how they use and/or will use digital technology as part of their proposed activities.
Visit The Telstra Foundation websiteVicHealth
VicHealth has a focus on health promtion.
It provides funding opportunities for organisations through funding schemes and research. They also invest in seeding and commissioned programs.
Funding rounds become available throughout the year.
Register for updates on the VicHealth website.
Visit VicHealth websiteVictorian Local Government Councils
Many Victorian local councils run community grants programs to support projects and activities conducted by local community organisations.
If you are Victorian-based you can contact your local council to find out about specific grants in your area.
Visit Victorian Local Government Councils websiteVictorian Multicultural Commission
The Victorian Multicultural Commission runs a Community Grants Program to support Victoria's culturally and linguistically diverse communities, especially new and emerging communities, to develop and sustain local community organisations and programs.
The Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship also offers grants through the Unity Through Partnerships Grants Program which provides funding of up to $100,000 for projects undertaken in partnership by two or more of Victoria’s diverse ethnic, cultural and religious communities, that culminate in a public festival, event or gathering.
Visit Victorian Multicultural Commission websiteVolunteering Australia
Volunteering Australia is the national peak body for volunteering in Australia. Its mission is to represent the diverse views and needs of the volunteering movement and to promote volunteering as an activity of social, cultural and economic value.
The Volunteering Australia website has information on grants that are available specifically for the volunteer sector.
Visit Volunteering Australia websiteWesfarmers
Wesfarmers supports communities through direct funding, sponsorships and in-kind support. Its partnership program focuses on four key areas:
- Arts and innovation
- Indigenous communities
- Medical health and research
- Education and community.
Western Australia Local Government Grants Directory
The Western Australian Department of Local Government has developed an online grants directory to help communities and local governments in regional and metropolitan Western Australia to locate funding sources for their projects and initiatives.
The Directory provides information on a wide range of grants available to communities and local governments through the State Government and selected Commonwealth Government agencies, as well as a number of private sector organisations.
The Western Australian Department of Local Government has no role in funding the grants listed on its directory.
Western Australian Government Grants Portal
This website provides information and links to a wide range of funding opportunities.
Visit Western Australian Government Grants Portal websiteWoolworths
Woolworths Limited's community investment program supports organisations, programs and initiatives across the following four priority focus areas:
- Sustainability and environment
- Health and wellbeing
- Education and employment
- Rural and regional communities.