Grants and funding
Most volunteering organisations need to find ways to finance their programs and activities. Applying for grants or funding is a common way to get money.
Most grants and funding come from government bodies or agencies, philanthropic organisations and businesses and corporations.
We've compiled a list of relevant funding sources for volunteering organisations including a summary of who and what the funding is for.
Remember that a grant doesn’t have to be specific to volunteering for you to apply. Your organisation may be eligible for a sector-specific grant (e.g. sport, arts and culture, environment) or other funding programs for community organisations.
If you know of other funding sources that we can add to this list please contact us to let us know.
Select a topic to find out more:
- Victorian government grants
- Federal government grants
- Local government grants
- Philanthropic programs
- Grants and funding databases
Victorian government grants
Department of Planning and Community Development – Grants Index
This easy to use chart lists all grants available through the Department and indicates their current status.
Arts Victoria – Funding at a Glance
Arts Victoria offers a range of funding programs for Victorian artists and arts organisations.
Heritage Victoria – Heritage Grants
Find the latest information about available funding and grants.
Parks Victoria – Healthy Parks Healthy People Grants
Grants are now available for community-based groups and not-for-profit organisations involved in projects that provide mutual benefit to Victoria's parks and the health and well-being of volunteers and their communities. Applications close 12 August 2011.
Sport and Recreation Victoria – Grants and Funding
There are many grants available to support local community clubs with things like uniforms, improving or building facilities, athlete, coach or team development and projects for people with a disability or from different cultural or language backgrounds.
VicHealth – Funding Opportunities
VicHealth has a range of funding programs for organisations that work in health promotion. Funding rounds become available throughout the year. You can register for updates on the VicHealth website.
Victorian Multicultural Commission – Community Grants Program
These are grants for Victorian cultural and linguistically diverse communities to develop and sustain local community organisations and programs. Grant categories include festivals and events, multifaith, organisational support, senior citizens, buildings and facilities and education.
Federal government grants
Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs – Volunteering Grants 2011
These are grants of between $1000 and $5000 for eligible, non-profit community organisations to support their volunteers through funding for training, equipment, transport or fuel reimbursements.
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government – GrantsLINK
A database of federal, state and local government funding programs for individuals, businesses and community organisations. You can search for specific programs or browse grants by a category e.g. community and society, culture and heritage, nature and environment.
Australia Council – Grants Finder
A list of available grants to support arts-related organisations and initiatives.
Local government grants
Many local councils run community grants programs to support projects and activities run by local community organisations.
Contact your local council to find out about specific grants for volunteering or community organisations in your area.
Philanthropic programs
Many charities, corporations and other organisations have philanthropic programs that provide funding to community organisations.
The Parliamentary Library has compiled an A-Z list of Non-Government Organisations that provide grants to community organisations.
Many of the subscription-based grants and funding databases also list business and corporate funding programs.
Grants and funding databases
There are a number of online funding databases available where you pay a subscription or membership fee to search for relevant funding programs, receive email alerts or access additional services e.g. tips for searching or writing submissions.
Fund Base
An online pay-per-search grants database. Prices start at $11 for a single search. You can also earn search credits when you refer others to the service.
Grantsearch
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.
Our Community – EasyGrants
A paid subscription service including 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.
Pathways Australia
Pathways Australia provides information and support for not-for-profit organisations. Membership benefits include access to funding databases and regular funding alerts. Membership fees are based on your organisation's annual income/revenue.
Philanthropy Australia – Australian Directory of Philanthropy
The Directory lists 350 trusts and foundations and includes tips on applying for grants and writing submissions. An annual subscription costs $85.