Grants and funding
Applying for grants or funding is a common way to get money for your organisations programs and activities, and 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.
Victorian Government grants
Arts Victoria
Arts Victoria offers a range of funding programs for Victorian artists and arts organisations.
Arts Victoria - Organisations Investment Program
This new program will provide multi-year operational support to nonprofit, non-government arts organisations, and is designed to drive artistic innovation and risk-taking together with broad audience and community engagement.
Department of Planning and Community Development
This easy to use chart lists all grants available through the Department and indicates their current status.
Sport and Recreation Victoria
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
VicHealth has a range of funding programs for organisations that work in health promotion. Funding rounds become available throughout the year. Register for updates on the VicHealth website.
Victorian Multicultural Commission
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
Australia Council
A list of available grants to support arts-related organisations and initiatives.
GrantsLINK - Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government
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.
Quick Response Grants - Regional Arts Fund
The QRG program aims to increase access for artists and arts workers in remote or small communities, to professional arts development and training opportunities. QRG applications can be submitted any time between 3 to 12 weeks prior to your activity commencing.
Other sources
CommunityAssist Grants - Gandel Philanthropy
One of Victoria’s private philanthropic trusts, Gandel Philanthropy, has announced that applications are now open for its 2012-13 communityassist grants. Grants of up to $40,000 is available for delivery of programs that are of a smaller scale and can usually be completed within 12 months.
Local Government Councils
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 in your area.
Small Grants for Small Communities - Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal
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 in Australia. The program is open twice a year, and closes at the end of March and September.
Database subscription services
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.
Australian Directory of Philanthropy - Philanthropy Australia
The Directory lists 350 trusts and foundations and includes tips on applying for grants and writing submissions. An annual subscription costs $85.
EasyGrants - Our Community
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.
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.
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.
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