Current Grants and Funding Opportunities

Below is a list of grant and funding opportunities which may be of interest to your organisation. To access further information in regards to any of these grants, click on the link provided. 

Updated 22 September 2020


Active Kids - an ongoing Sports NSW Program

The NSW Government is helping kids get active with the Active Kids program.

The Active Kids program provides two $100 vouchers for parents, guardians and carers of school-enrolled children to use towards sport and active recreation costs each year.

Voucher 1 is valid January to December and Voucher 2 is valid July to December.

The vouchers may be used with a registered activity provider for registration, participation and membership costs for sport, fitness and active recreation activities.

To use a voucher, find a registered activity provider and present your voucher when you sign up.

The Active Kids program is one of more than 70 NSW Government rebates and savings that help with your cost of living.

To learn more about the program, or to apply for a voucher or become a registered provider visit this website: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/active-kids


Arts Funding & Support - Ongoing Program

Australian Government Department of Communications & The Arts support inclusiveness and growth in Australia's creative sector, and protect and promote Australian content and culture through delivering strategic advice and policy development, effective program and grants management, regulatory management and collaborative stakeholder engagement.

The program funds everything from multiyear programs to one-off projects and professional development opportunities, across visual arts, museums and history, literature, performing arts, music and more. 

Currently Open: The National Cultural Heritage Account helps Australian public cultural organisations buy significant objects that they could not otherwise afford.

For more information and links to open funding opportunities visit this website: https://www.arts.gov.au/funding-and-support


Community War Memorials Fund - Ongoing Program

The NSW Government established the Community War Memorials Fund to help conserve, repair and protect war memorials across NSW. Over 12 years grants have been provided for a wide range of projects including conservation assessments, honour roll repair, war memorial cleaning and conservation work, arborist advice for war memorial trees, security measures for memorials, repairs to war memorial halls and improvements to the accessibility of memorials.

Grant applications are assessed by the State War Memorials Committee which is comprised of senior representatives of the Returned and Services League of Australia NSW Branch (RSL NSW)  Public Works Advisory, Heritage NSW and the NSW Office for Veterans Affairs.  

Visit the vereans Affairs Website: https://www.veterans.nsw.gov.au/heritage/community-war-memorials-fund/cwmf-202021-program-guidelines/ before completing the online Community War Memorials Fund application through Smarty Grants: https://veteransnsw.smartygrants.com.au/.

The rounds open on Anzac Day and Remembrance Day each year. 2020/21 Round 2 Applications Open Remembrance Day, 11 November 2020 & close 11 February 2021. 


Conservation Partners Grants - Ongoing Program 

Conservation Partners Grants are now available on an ongoing basis and provide financial assistance to landholders in managing their conservation area, allowing them to improve the biodiversity value of their properties. 

Agreement holders that do not receive annual payments under the Conservation Management Program can apply for a grant by downloading and sending a completed grant application form at any time.

Grants can assist landholders to maintain the ecological values of their properties. For example, a landholder may need funding to manage a weed outbreak or repair a fence to exclude stock.

For more information visit: https://www.bct.nsw.gov.au/cards/conservation-grants

Opened in 2018, this program remains open on an ongoing basis.


 Country Arts Support Program (CASP) 

Country Arts Support Program (CASP) is an annual small grants program and is guided by the Arts and Cultural Funding Program’s three major objectives:

  • grow creative leadership and programming excellence in NSW
  • strengthen NSW arts and cultural activity that drives community and social benefits
  • showcase NSW as a leader for strategic arts and cultural governance and strong financial management.

 Applications for the Country Arts Support Program are open and will close Tuesday 29 September 2020 at 5pm AEST

https://www.create.nsw.gov.au/funding-and-support/arts-and-cultural-funding-program/casp/


FRRR Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal Grants - Ongoing Program

FRRR has a number of Grants that open at different times of the year, most of their Grants are recurrent and generally offered around the same time each year. 

The FRRR Grants calendar allows you to check the current status of each program and the respective opening and closing dates. Follow this link to the calendar to see Open, Assessing and Closing Programs: http://www.frrr.org.au/grant_calendar.php 

Tackling Tough Times Together 

The Tackling Tough Times Together grant program helps communities access the resources they need to support one another through the ongoing effects of the drought.

Grants are available for a broad range of grassroots, community-led initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and assessed quarterly.

Three tiers of grants are available:

  • Up to $20,000 – projects to be finalised within 18 months of approval;
  • Up to $60,000 – projects to be finalised within 18 months of approval;
  • Up to $150,000 – the $150,000 tier involves a two-stage process, with a full application due by 5pm AEDT, Thursday 10 September 2020. Additional information requested is then submitted by the round closing date. Applicants must speak with the TTTT team to discuss their project before applying.

Future Drought Fund - Ongoing Program

The foundational programs for the Future Drought Fund were announced on 1 July 2020  by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. The fund will help boost the performance of Australian agriculture and increase its resilience to the impacts of drought. The $5 billion fund provides secure, continuous funding for drought resilience initiatives and helps Australian farms and communities prepare for the impacts of drought. There are many programs planned to be delivered as part of the fund: Find out more at: https://minister.awe.gov.au/littleproud/media-releases/building-drought-resilient-australia-future-drought-fund


Inland Rail Community Sponsorships and Donations program

Inland Rail is committed to supporting communities along the alignment, by making voluntary financial contributions to eligible community groups running events, projects and activities which contribute to local and regional prosperity, well-being and sustainability. Financial requests between $1,000 and $4,000 will be considered from eligible community organisations. There are four annual open rounds 

For projects, events, activities commencing:Round opens:Round closes:
June to August1 February each year30 April each year
September to November1 May each year31 July each year
December to February1 August each year31 October each year
March to May1 November each year31 January each year

Inland Rail - https://inlandrail.artc.com.au/sponsorships

Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network Community Grants - Extended until 30 June 2021

Murrumbidgee Community Grants and Murrumbidgee Youth Grants have been extended until 30 June 2021 or until funding has been exhausted. In accordance with the Australian Government’s current COVID-19 response all grants will need to follow the current health advice, therefore applications will need to address how they meet current COVID-19 guidelines.


This is a time where communities can be creative, innovative and flexible to encourage connection, wellbeing support and training. If you are wanting to host a virtual event and do not have access to technology, MPHN can provide support with technology. MPHN fund a range of support services. Further information is available Existing grant applicants may wish to postpone their event due to the current restrictions, please advise us if this is your preference. We understand that this is a challenging time for our communities and encourage you to reach out if you or a member of your community require support here.

 For more information about the Murrumbidgee Community Grants and how & where to apply visit the website here: https://mphn.org.au/drought-support/


National Landcare Program: Smart Farms Small Grants Round 4


The Australian Government is inviting applications for projects to deliver services under the National Landcare Program – Smart Farms Small Grants Round 4. Information about applying for this round can be found on the Community Grants Hub website and GrantConnect.

Applications close at 11:00 pm AEDT on 9 October 2020.
 

 NSW Office of Sport - Local Sport Grant Program – Closing 7 October 2020

The $4.6 million Local Sport Grant Program aims to increase regular and ongoing participation opportunities in sport and active recreation in NSW. The Program will help support projects that:

  • Increase regular and on-going participation in sport
  • Increase participation and access for women, girls & population groups with low participation rates
  • Assist sporting clubs in providing quality service to their members and the local community 

Applications are assessed on 4 criteria:

  1. The project is to deliver on one or more of the program’s objective and demonstrates alignment to the Office of Sport Strategic Plan
  2. The project meets an identified need
  3. Demonstrates the capacity & experience to deliver the project
  4. The budget is reasonable and cost-effective

For more information on eligibility and to apply, visit the Office of Sport website now and, if eligible, submit an application by 5pm 7 October 2020.


PPCA Performers' Trust Foundation - Ongoing Program

Provides ongoing grants to promote and encourage music and the performing arts.The grants provided are non-recurring (i.e. one-off grants rather than a periodical payment) and  must be for one or more of the following purposes:

  • Performances at concerts at or for charitable institutions such as hospitals or homes for the aged;

  • Scholarships for the promotion and encouragement of musical and theatrical education;

  • The promotion and encouragement of the performing arts to the general public;

  • The aid or assistance of any beneficiary who is unable to adequately maintain herself/himself by her/his own exertions and other income

For more information on the PPCA Performers' Trust Foundation, contact the PPCA on (02) 8569 1100 or visit: http://www.ppca.com.au/ppca-about-us/ppca-performers-trust-foundation/


RASF Rural Scholarship Fund - Scholarships closing 7 September 2020

Students in regional areas often have to relocate in order to study, leaving behind the support of family and friends and feeling torn between their education and their obligations. Fortunately, assistance in the form of a scholarship can help ease some worries and allow greater freedom to more regularly visit home and lend a hand.

This is more important than ever, with many RASF Rural Scholarship recipients coming from drought-stricken towns and farms that need all hands helping whenever possible. Many applicants mention the financial burden of needing to return home to help in holidays and the resulting lost opportunity to work.

The Rural Scholarship program goes a small way to ensure students from regional areas can chase the same education dreams as students in the city and suburbs.

Rural Scholarships are available to support individuals in NSW who demonstrate a passion for rural communities and commitment for any career that will ensure the future success of rural and regional NSW. Scholarships of $6,000 for full-time study or $3,000 for part-time study are available. Applicants for a Rural Scholarship must:

  • Be enrolled in or applying for study in any accredited tertiary course at an approved Australian education provider

  • Demonstrate a desire to contribute to the future of rural NSW

  • Demonstrate how a scholarship would assist them in achieving their education or training goal

  • Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident

You can apply for a 2021 RAS Foundation Rural Scholarship from 1 July 2020 to 7 September 2020. Find out more: http://www.rasnsw.com.au/foundation/scholarships/ras-rural-scholarships/


Regional Arts NSW - Closes 30 June 2021

Made available under the Regional Arts Fund allocation for NSW, Quick Response Grants offer funding for up to $2,000 are intended to assist regional artists, arts organisations and communities to take up professional or skills development or small project opportunities.

All Quick Response Grants projects must be completed by 1 January 2022

The objectives are to support and promote participation in and access to Australia’s arts and culture in regional and remote Australia by:

  • Encouraging and supporting sustainable economic, social and cultural development in regional communities;
  • Developing partnerships and networks which leverage financial and/or in-kind support for specific projects and encourage ongoing collaboration;
  • Developing audiences and broadening community engagement with the arts; and
  • Increasing employment and professional development opportunities for, and raise the profile of, regional and remote artists.

Riverina Water Community Education 

Since 2019 Riverina Water have offered $500,000 in funding for local non‑profit community groups, schools and educational institutions as part of our Community Grants Program. Riverina Water is now offering more than $600,000 in funding for projects that make a difference to local communities.

Applications for its Community Grants Program are now open with funding ranging from $1,000 up to $20,000 across three categories – Community Projects & Facilities, Arts & Culture and Water Conservation.

The program aims to support a wide range of community projects and activities that can improve the everyday lives of our wider community.

Grants are awarded annually following an application and assessment process involving our four member councils - Wagga Wagga City, Lockhart, Greater Hume and Federation.

Applications for our Community Grants Program are made online using the Apply platform https://www.rwcc.nsw.gov.au/community-education/grants-donations-sponsorship/grants/

 

TransGrid’s Community Partnerships Program (CPP) 

Transgrid's CPP provides funding of up to $5,000 for community and not-for-profit organisations to support projects or activities that provide a lasting benefit to local communities. More information can be found here. 

Applications close on Monday 2nd November 2020. 


Community Groups & members are encouraged to take advantage of any Grant Writer’s workshops provided by Council.