Community Grants

People power is a mighty force: without volunteers and community groups putting the work in to support people and the environment, the world would stop turning! I'm proud to do anything I can to support community groups to bring people together to make our area better for all.

Here are some sources of funds for community groups and initiatives.

Funding from my office

Ryan Community Grants

My office can provide small cash grants for not-for-profit community groups, organisations, clubs or initiatives within (or closely linked) to the Ryan community. Funding would contribute to, or fund a project, piece of infrastructure, event or activity that will have positive social and/or environmental impacts for Ryan. Email my office for details.

Stronger Communities Grants

The Stronger Communities Programme provides each of the 151 Federal electorates with $150,000 to fund small capital projects. The 2023 Grant Round is now closed.

Volunteer Grants

The Department of Social Services has an annual grant funding program which is administered by federal electorate offices. In 2022, I was pleased to give 23 grants of $1,000 – $5,000 to organisations in Ryan.

Applications for the 2023-2024 round closed on the 8 September 2023. For more information and details on eligibility please visit our Volunteer Grants page or call our office on 07 3378 1599.

Back-to-School Support

In 2023 I was able to offer small cash grants to assist Ryan families with Back-to-School costs. Families used this money for school fees, supplies, technology, uniforms and more.

Other Grants

If you find any information that’s incorrect, or know of any other opportunities we’ve missed, please let me know.

Maiwar Community Grants

Michael Berkman, Greens MP for Maiwar also offers small grants to community organisations or non-profits for initiatives within the State electorate of Maiwar.

Social Services Information Linkages & Capacity Building Program

The federal Department of Social Services invites organisations to apply to deliver services to empower people with disability to participate in their community. These grant opportunities "will ensure the continuity of ILC services while the Government considers and responds to the findings of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability and NDIS Review. ILC is a key element of the broader system of activities and supports that work to enable the full participation of people with disability and more inclusive and accessible services for all people with disability, regardless of whether they are eligible for the NDIS."

Social and Community Participation (SCP)

Funding of up to $50 million will be available under Social and Community Participation (SCP) grant opportunity for the delivery of one-off, time-limited activities of two years duration from April 2024 to June 2026.
Funding is to support people with disability, their families and carers to participate, contribute and benefit from mainstream community activities including arts, culture, sport and recreation. The intended outcomes of the SCP stream are people with disability, their families and carers:
- have greater opportunities to participate and contribute in the community
- have increased accessibility to, and inclusion in, communities.
Applications close on 6 October 2023.

Individual Capacity Building (ICB)

Funding of up to $90 million will be available to deliver one-off, time-limited activities for up to three years from July 2024 to June 2027.
Funding is for activities to support systemic, nationwide access to peer support, mentoring, self-advocacy and other skills building for people with disability, their family and carers. This grant opportunity will assist providers and community groups to deliver tailored information, resources and supports, addressing the needs of all people with disability, their family and carers.
Applications close on 30 November 2023.

Lord Mayor's Better Suburbs Grants Community Facility Category

Community Facility grants from the Brisbane Lord Mayor's Better Suburbs programme are for planning and design, or construction of community facilities, or improvements to community facilities. This is intended to 'deliver outcomes in alignment with Brisbane Vision 2031'.

The current round is open for applications until 9 October 2023.

Telstra Footy Country Grants

Telstra and the AFL have started a new campaign called 'This is Footy Country' and are launching a new program of grants with a nationwide pool of $2 million. The grants are intended to grow and assist volunteer capacity, enhance child safety, and assist clubs distressed by natural disaster. Applications up to $20,000 will be considered, and to junior and senior AFL clubs across Australia (both metro and regional) are eligible to apply. The first round will open for applications on January 2024 but you can register interest ahead of time.

Lord Mayor's Better Suburbs Grants Community Support Category

Community Support grants from the Brisbane Lord Mayor's Better Suburbs programme are for projects which:

support Community Facility maintenance and improvement
improve community organisation governance and long-term sustainability
provide operational equipment for community organisations
enable projects and activities that respond to community needs.

The criteria for this programme exclude events, general operating expenses and purchase of single use plastics, amongst other things. Round 2 for 2023/24 opens on 29 January 2024.

Connected Communities Grants

These are grants of up to $10,000 offered by Telstra in partnership with the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal. The program has three themes:

Resilient communities that are well prepared and socially connected, with the ability to renew and recover together when disaster strikes
Sustainable communities that are diverse and inclusive, through planning for the health, wellbeing and prosperity of their people and planet
Liveable communities that have digital capability, helping to equip people with the skills to live, learn and work in a digital society.

The 2023 round closed on 30 March 2023.

FYA Seeding Strength Grants

Seeding Strength Grants are open to young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (16-35) and organisations fighting injustice and building Blak power across the country. There are two types of grants: Rapid Response and Campaign-based. A total of $200,000 is available in 2023. You can apply anytime for Rapid Response grants. The campaign grants are offered in two rounds. Round 1 has closed for 2023.

Damien Greer Lawyers Community Grant ($2,500)

The Damien Greer Lawyers Community Grant program recognises and celebrates organisations that strive to make a positive impact within their local community, including helping the community in times of need, building community togetherness and sense of belonging, promoting positive health and wellbeing, supporting community services and groups, nurturing the local environment. There are 2 grants available in the second round, ending June 30, 2023.

Sisters Of Charity Foundation Community Grants (Up To $15,000)

These grants are aimed at helping groups who make a huge difference to those in need, but struggle to find funding through other avenues. If your organisation provides compassion, hope and practical assistance to those in need, then you may be eligible for financial support from the Sisters of Charity Foundation. There are two rounds annually. The next round opens 8 July and closes 31 July 2023.

NAB Foundation Community Grants (Up To $10,000)

NAB Foundation Community Grants fund local projects that help communities prepare for natural disasters, support long-term recovery, and build resilience against future disasters. There are two rounds a year; round 1 closed on 28 February 2023. Round 2 closed on 31 August 2023. Successful grantees will be notiﬁed in October 2023.

Lord Mayor's Community Fund ($250 - $10,000)

Brisbane City Council offers grants that contribute to the Brisbane Vision of a friendly and safe, active and healthy, clean and green, or vibrant and creative city. Each Council ward is allocated $36,000 for community projects undertaken within that ward. The Lord Mayor allocates $36,000 for community projects that involve multiple wards. Applications closed 16 June 2023.

Mortgage Relief Loan (Up To $20,000)

A Mortgage Relief Loan provides short-term help to people who are having difficulties with their home loan repayments due to unemployment, accident, illness, or some other unexpected or unforeseen crisis. The loan is interest free with no application fees or ongoing charges. Applications are ongoing.

Arts Queensland Grants

Arts Queensland offers four programs intended to drive creative employment, and grow new creative work and events that will “activate Queensland communities and showcase uniquely Queensland stories”. Each program has its own funding rounds.

Campbell Edwards Trust (Up To $30,000)

The Trust aims to provide financial assistance to charitable organisations whose programs give effect to the Trust's underlying philosophy, values and vision. Applications are accepted all year long, but close on 31 March each year for consideration by 30 June.

Searching for grants

The main providers of grants are the Federal, State, and Local Governments, as well as private organisations. There are a number of websites available to help you find grants that are relevant to your organisation or project, including:

Tips on writing grant submissions

There are also a few handy guides available to help write submissions when applying for a grant:

Community Door (QCOSS initiative)
Business Queensland website (State Government)
The Grants Hub