Database of Funding Sources and Resources

Auscharity

The Auscharity site has a good selection of links for fundraisers as well as a database of contact details for major Australian Charities.

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 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.

Business.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.

Charities 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.

ClubGRANTS

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.

Community 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.

Community 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.

communitybuilders.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.

Connecting 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.

Gandel 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.   

Grant 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.

Grants 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. 

Grantsearch

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.

GrantsLINK

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.

Lotterywest

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.

National 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. 

Northern 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: 

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:

Application rounds usually start in September of each year. 

Our 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.

Pathways 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.

Perpetual

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.

Philanthropy 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.

Pro 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.

Queensland 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. 

Queensland 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.

Tasmanian 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.

Tasmanian 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.

Tasmanian 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.

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:

1. Ending chronic homelessness

2. Responding appropriately to homelessness

3. 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.

The 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.

The 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.

VicHealth

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.

Victorian 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.

Victorian 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.

Volunteering 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.

Wesfarmers

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.

Woolworths

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.