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 2023

Grants from $2500 - $20,000 are available to community organisations to undertake projects across Ryan that:

encourage and support participation in local projects
improve community participation
contribute to livable and viable communities.

My office will be collecting Expressions of Interest (EOIs) until 5pm 27 March 2023. Those organisations successful in the first round will then submit completed applications by 10 May 2023.

Volunteer Grants

The Department of Social Services has an annual grant funding program which is administered by federal electorate offices. These grants are usually offered in the first half of the new financial year. In 2022, I was pleased to give 23 grants of $1,000 – $5,000 to organisations in Ryan.

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.

Lord Mayor's Better Suburbs Grants Community Support Category

Applications are now open for the first round of Community Support grants from the Brisbane Lord mayor's Better Suburbs programme 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. Applications close on 24 April 2023.

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.

This round opens on 1 March 2023 and closes on 30 March 2023.

Coles Nurture Fund

A rare grant that's available to for-profit ventures, these are grants of up to $500,000 to small and medium producers and manufacturers (defined as fewer than 50 employees and less than $25m in annual turnover) to help them develop new products and/or sustainable processes and technologies. Applications close at 5pm AEST on Friday, 24 February 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, the first closing 17 February 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. Rounds close 30 June and 31 December each year.

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.

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 closes on 28 February 2023.

BAC Community Giving Fund (Up To $5,000)

The Brisbane Airport Corporation Community Giving Fund (Community Giving Fund) provides cash grants to community groups, organisations and schools. To recognise the efforts of these community groups up to $5,000 is being provided to local projects that align with enquiring minds, protecting our planet, connecting community or health & wellbeing.

Applications open 1 February 2023 and close 28 February 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 close 16 June 2023 or when the allocated budget for the ward is exhausted.

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