April Grants Newsletter 2022
Welcome to the April edition of our grants newsletter.
At the end of last month our independent panel sat to assess over forty EOIs received for the Mayo Community Renewables Fund. Our team is pleased to announce that thirteen of these EOIs are now progressing through the formal application process with the aim of having these projects promoting grassroots climate action well underway in the near future.
Over the past few weeks I have really enjoyed getting out and about to meet with organisations in Mayo. My team and I have had some incredibly valuable discussions with groups about their recent successes and future funding goals. If this is something your organisation would be interested in arranging, please do not hesitate to reach out to my team so we can set up a meeting.
Please find below a summary of grants that are currently available, however for a more comprehensive list of business and community grants please follow these links:
Click here for business grants
Click here for community grants
*Please note that in order to access these links you will need to register your association online with Regional Development Australia. This is free of charge and will only take a few minutes.
Community grants may also be found on the Community Grants Hub website here
Alternatively, if you are a rural business looking for financial support or grants, Rural Business Support is worth contacting. This group is a leading not-for-profit provider of agribusiness services and independent support for farmers and small business owners operating in rural areas.
As always, if your club or organisation intends to apply for any of these opportunities, please do not hesitate to contact my office to discuss a letter of support. This can be organised by emailing my Grants Officer, Rose Beltchev, at rose.beltchev@aph.gov.au.
If I or my team can be of any further assistance at any time, please do not hesitate to contact us on 8398 5566.
Kind regards
Rebekha Sharkie MP
Federal Member for Mayo
6 April 2022
ARTS
PPCA Performers’ Trust Foundation Grants
This funding aims to foster and inspire growth in music and music-related performing arts sectors. Submissions for funding must align with one of the following intentions: performances for charitable organisations, scholarships, promotion of the arts within the community and financial assistance for artists.
Max funding $5,000 / This program is open on an ongoing basis
Gordon Darling Foundation Grants Program
This program seeks to support visual art projects Australia wide. Priority funding is awarded to exhibitions which showcase Australian, Asian, Pacific or International art which draws upon significant aspects of their local area.
Max funding $500,000 / This program is open on an ongoing basis
Screen Australia currently has a range of grants on offer to support those in the film industry. Funding is available to assist projects including the production of: online material, drama, documentaries, feature films and children’s content amongst others. For more information please follow the link above.
Funding amounts and closing dates vary depending on grant type
South Australian Film Corporation Grants
These grants are designed to support the production of on-screen content, both scripted and unscripted. Productions must also generate significant economic benefit to South Australians working in the screen industry.
Funding amounts and closing dates vary depending on grant type
Culture, Heritage and Arts Regional Tourism Grants Program
This grant provides support to community cultural, heritage and arts organisations in Australia’s regional areas who are recovering from the effects of COVID-19. The aim of the program is to encourage involvement in and access to Australian art and culture with a focus upon cultural expression and the act of sharing stories that are significant to our culture and history.
Max funding $3,000 / Applications close 29 April 2022
CinefestOZ Australian Feature Film Competition and Prize
This competition seeks to offer an exceptional film experience, showcasing new Australian films whilst enjoying the local region’s produce and beverages. Prizes are awarded for full length and short films.
Max funding $100,000 / Applications close 1 June 2022
Regional Arts Fund – Quick Response Grants
The purpose of this funding is to support professional development opportunities for those in the arts sector. The program offers immediate support for needs that arise unexpectedly, meaning other actions to support the project cannot be organised within the tight timeframe.
Max funding for individuals $3,000 / Max funding for groups $5,000
Grant rounds run monthly from February to November
Australian Council for the Arts – Arts Projects (Organisations)
This grant seeks to fund activities which benefit the arts sector and interested members of the public. This funding is aimed at both national and international audiences. Eligible activities may include: touring, festivals, publishing, recording and skill development amongst others.
Grant amounts between $20,000 and $100,000 available
Applications close 6 September for projects commencing after 1 December 2022
TSRA Common Funding Round – Culture, Art and Heritage Programme
This funding stream aims to protect sites and artefacts of cultural significance to facilitate their longevity and sustain traditions and cultural practices within communities.
Max funding $25,000 / Applications close 21 April 2022
Copyright Agency – Cultural Fund Fellowships
This grant seeks to support our country’s writers and visual artist to create major works. Four types of ‘fellowships’ are offered under this grant scheme – one for literary educators, one for authors, one for non-fiction writers and one for partnerships.
Max funding $80,000 / Applications close 2 May 2022
Ian Potter Foundation – Cultural Trust Grants
This grant offers emerging artists of ‘exceptional talent’ with support so that they are able to accept professional opportunities which usually arise overseas and may therefore remain outside their reach.
Max funding $10,000 / Applications close 3 May 2022
COVID-19 Creative Economy Support Package – Arts Sustainability Fund
This grant offers financial support for the arts and entertainment industry with the aim of supporting COVID-19 recovery. Funding is designed to assist with employment and contribute to rebuilding the nation’s economy. The grant also seeks to promote wellbeing and access to culturally enriching experiences across the country.
Max funding $ 5 Million / Applications close 31 May 2022
This program provides in kind and financial support for art and culture projects within the Alexandrina Council area. The goal of this funding is to encourage vibrancy in the community and promote greater social and cultural interactions.
Max funding $3,000 / Applications close 30 April 2022
HERITAGE
National Cultural Heritage Account | Office for the Arts
This funding seeks to assist organisations in purchasing objects of cultural significance that may otherwise be unaffordable without assistance. The aim of this project is to ensure these objects, and the stories they tell, remain accessible to future generations.
Funding pool of $500,000 available each financial year
This grant offers financial support to a broad range of heritage related projects within the Alexandrina Council region. The goal of this funding is to retain the charm and character of the townships and the rural environment within which they sit.
Max funding $2,000 / Applications close 30 April 2022
COMMUNITY
This program seeks to provide financial assistance on a ‘no-strings-attached basis’ to individuals and groups working in and for their communities. Australia has been divided into a series of ‘chapters,’ one of which is Fleurieu.
Max funding $1,000 / Program available on a monthly basis
This sponsorship program provides support to organisations who offer: community services and programs, promote health and wellbeing, support vulnerable Australians and those who strengthen their communities.
Funding amounts of $1,000, $2,500 and $5,000 / Applications close 30 June 2022
Strengthening Rural Communities
This program provides small remote, rural and regional areas with financial assistance to support a range of initiatives which will assist their local community. Two streams of funding comprise this program – a smaller vital stream for areas with less than 15,000 people and a bushfire recovery stream.
Vital stream max $10,000 / Bushfire stream max $25,000
Expressions of Interest close 12 April 2022
Next round opens 1 June 2022 and closes 30 August 2022
Australian Communities Foundation Grants Program
This grant seeks to support initiatives which align with the Foundation’s key areas of focus. These include: addressing inequality, strengthening democracy, providing support to indigenous communities, protecting the environment and developing vibrant and culturally rich societies.
No max funding / This program is open on an ongoing basis
Clubs SA/IGN Sponsorship Assistance Program
This grant seeks to provide assistance to: disadvantaged groups within the community, not-for-profit community-led projects and sporting or community clubs. Projects are required to demonstrate how they will directly benefit a charity or community organisation.
Max funding $10,000 / This program is available on a monthly basis
IOOF Foundation Community Grants
This grant stream seeks to provide funding to support not-for-profit groups working with: disadvantaged families and children, youth and members of the community living in aged care.
Max funding $60,000 / This program is open on an ongoing basis
Universal Charitable Fund – Small Grants
This grant offers small, tax-deductible, not-for-profit groups with funding to assist those living in Australia and overseas. Applicants must be a registered charity, earn less than $1 million annually and be listed with the ACNC.
Max funding $2,000 / This program is open on an ongoing basis
This program provides in kind and financial support for art and culture projects within the Alexandrina Council area. The goal of this funding is to encourage vibrancy in the community and promote greater social and cultural interactions.
Max funding $3,000 / Applications close 30 April 2022
National Housing Infrastructure Facility
This program offers finance for infrastructure-based projects identified as having the capacity to create new, affordable housing options. Support may be offered by way of concessional loans, grants, equity investments or a combination of these options.
This program is open on an ongoing basis
This funding stream offers financial support to organisations dedicated to assisting others. The Foundation functions as a ‘charitable trust’ offering help to groups doing valuable work in their communities.
No max funding / Applications close 5 August 2022
CORENA is a not-for-profit volunteer run organisation dedicated to assisting Australians combat the climate emergency by supporting projects that immediately reduce carbon emissions. Organisations are able to apply for interest-free loans to support the purchase of solar panels, energy efficiency improvements and replacement of gas appliances amongst others. CORENA notes that their scheme offers a good alternative for groups that may have missed out on Stronger Communities funding to support their renewable projects.
Funding is available as a loan / This program is open on an ongoing basis
NAB Foundation Community Grants
This grant seeks to finance local projects which assist communities in preparing for natural disasters. Funding may also be used to support long-term recovery and resilience building in preparation for future disaster events.
Max funding $10,000 / Applications close 31 August 2022
Pride Foundation Australia – Small Grants Program
Funding from this program seeks to support projects delivered by individuals or groups that may have otherwise been limited by constraints determined by other grant programs.
Max funding $750 / Applications close 11 July 2022
INDIGENOUS
The Community Development Program (CDP)
The CDP operates as the Government’s remote employment and community development service. The CDP supports those seeking work in remote areas of Australia to develop their skills, identify and overcome barriers to employment and contribute to their communities. This program aims to reduce the number of job seekers who are currently reliant upon welfare supports.
This program is open on an ongoing basis
TSRA Economic Development Program – Business Funding Scheme
This grant provides assistance to Indigenous Australians seeking to start or buy and own businesses which are commercially viable. This support may be provided through: business loans at low interest rates, training for the operation of small businesses, or general business support and advice.
Max funding $1M / This program is open on an ongoing basis
This program offers wide-ranging support from brokering and facilitating partnerships to coordinating support and funding assistance. The grant has five key areas of focus noted as opportunities for Indigenous Australians and landholders. These include: conservation, urban investment, tourism, niche indigenous products and agribusiness.
This program is open on an ongoing basis
Indigenous Advancement Strategy – Community Initiated Proposals
This strategy offers funding to proposals which address a ‘need’ identified by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the local community. These proposals must be created in collaboration with the community or group of people impacted by this ‘need.’
Applications open 26 July 2022 / Applications close 31 October 2023
Indigenous Business Australia – Business Loan Package
This loan program offers eligible businesses the capital required to start, acquire or expand their operations.
Max funding $5M / This program is open on an ongoing basis
Screen Australia – First Nations Funding Opportunities
Screen Australia offers a range of funding options for First Nations storytellers working in the film sector. Please follow the link above to find specific details about funding options.
Funding amounts and closing dates vary depending on grant program
Screen Australia – First Nations Programs (Drama)
This program seeks to drive investment into exceptional low-budget feature film projects centred upon innovative ideas that hold the potential to reach a broad audience. This grant focuses upon creating opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander filmmakers who exhibit a particular talent in representing their vision and skill.
Funding provided as an ‘investment’ / This program is open on an ongoing basis
TRAINING, EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT
Australian Apprenticeships Incentive Program (AAIP)
This program offers numerous financial incentives for employers to assist them in offering apprenticeship opportunities. An allowance for living out of home is also offered to apprentices who must relocate to finish their training.
This program is open on an ongoing basis
This grant supports the training of apprentices and trainees to assist employers with hiring skilled workers to encourage innovation and growth. The project aims to support Australians obtain the skills and training required to work in occupations and industries which are currently in demand.
This program is open on an ongoing basis
National Work Experience Program
This program offers jobseekers the opportunity to gain real-world experience and confidence in a profession of their choice, while demonstrating their potential to employers. This scheme falls under the Government’s ‘Jobactive’ approach which aims to get more people into paid work.
Four-week placement / Max 25 hours per week
$300 incentive for host employers / This program is open on an ongoing basis
Job Trainer Skills Package – Job Trainer Fund
This scheme is part of the Government’s recovery response to COVID-19. The program provides free or low-fee training to Australians seeking to retrain or upskill in industries which are currently in high demand.
Program ends 31 December 2022
This funding seeks to assist employers in finding and employing more young people in their business. The scheme includes three stages which moves a young person through the entire employment process from training, to trialling and if successful, hiring.
This program is open on an ongoing basis
Springboard Enterprises – Explore Program
This program seeks to support businesswomen in the early stages of their proposed concept’s development, to translate their vision into a reality. Assistance will be provided to ‘examine, prototype and launch’ ventures.
This grant is provided through mentoring sessions / This program is open on an ongoing basis
This grant seeks to provide businesses with a new incentive for employing job seekers aged 16-35. The program provides organisations with hiring credits to assist them in taking on employees to accelerate the growth in Australia’s youth employment rate.
Funding provided on the basis of age / Applications close 6 October 2022
Parliamentary and Civics Education Rebate
This rebate seeks to support student’s education surrounding the national democratic, historical and cultural institutions in Canberra, with the goal of improving their knowledge of Australian democracy. This program is aimed at students in years four through twelve.
This program is open on an ongoing basis
This grant seeks to provide assistance to non-government and secondary schools wishing to improve their current capital infrastructure in instances where they may have otherwise been unable to access adequate resources.
No max funding / This program is open on an ongoing basis
Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship
This program provides Australians with the opportunity to travel internationally to investigate of a topic or issue about which they are passionate. The fellowship must equate to between four and eight weeks of travel. Over 100 fellowships are awarded each year.
Max funding $28,000 / Applications close 28 April 2022
SPORT
This funding aims to increase the participation rate of students in sport and connect them to their local community by way of sporting clubs and opportunities. This program is offered to children and families to assist in building confidence and the skills required to live an active life.
This program is open on an ongoing basis
Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund
This fund offers financial support to community cricket projects which aim to increase participation rates and make the sport more inclusive and accessible.
Max funding $30,000 / This grant is run on an annual basis
Tennis Australia – Facility Loan Scheme
This scheme offers low interest loans to Australian tennis clubs seeking to upgrade or improve their current facilities. These loans aim to reduce ‘shortfalls’ clubs may encounter when funding such projects.
Max funding $80,000 / This program is open on an ongoing basis
Bulk Nutrients – Community Support Grant
This funding scheme seeks to support grass roots community organisations and their dedicated volunteers. Eligible applicants include: not-for-profits, charities, sporting clubs and community groups.
Max funding $1,000 / Applications close 1 June 2022
YOUTH
This program seeks to support eligible organisations with funding to create a ‘better Australia’ through education, medical advancement and the arts. One of the key priority groups for this funding are young people.
No max funding / This program is open on an ongoing basis
Mantana Foundation for Young People
This funding stream is dedicated to the support of disadvantaged young Australians. The main goal of the grant is to ensure young people are able to achieve their full educational and social potential.
Grants are usually between $1,000 and $10,000 / This program is open on an ongoing basis
Funding offered through this program seeks to support the day-to-day lives of people who identify as being a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. The Foundation focuses their funds across several priority groups including: young people, older people, families, vulnerable people and those living with a disability.
Max funding $25,000 / This program is open on an ongoing basis
Blackbird Foundation – Philanthropy Funding
This grant offers funding towards organisations who focus on fostering the creative capacities of youths in the local community.
This program is open on an ongoing basis
This funding seeks to recognise the contribution younger people make within their community. In particular, this grant focuses upon the value in providing young people with an opportunity to expand their capacity and confidence. Funding is awarded to young people who display commitment and passion within a chosen field.
Funding is dependent upon event location
Applications close 31 May 2022
TOURISM
Opening our Great Outdoors Fund
This funding assists tourism initiatives in regional areas. The grant is part of the bigger Regional Growth Fund which intends to support projects aimed at stimulating the economy in Australia’s regions.
Max funding $1M / Applications close 30 June 2023
BUSINESS
Australian Business Growth Fund
This program offers financial support for small to medium sized businesses seeking to expand and develop their presence. The program operates in collaboration with selected banks to facilitate business owner’s access to equity finance as required. Many businesses may find this particularly useful during their COVID-19 recovery.
Max funding $15M / This program is open on an ongoing basis
Digital Solutions – Australian Small Business Advisory Services
This program seeks to assist Australian small businesses in using technology to maximise the benefits received. The grant providers are also able to offer more specific advice that corresponds to an individual business’ needs.
This funding is offered as a ‘service’ / This program is open on an ongoing basis
New Business Assistance with NEIS
This grant offer personalised support to those seeking to become a self-employed business owner. Funding can assist by providing: training, mentoring and support, allowances or rental assistance where eligible.
This funding is offered as a ‘service’ or ‘mentoring’ / This program is open on an ongoing basis
Social Enterprise Development and Investment Funds
Funding offered through this scheme provides finance and support to social enterprises with the aim of growing their operations and increasing the benefits of their work across the community.
This grant is in the form of a ‘loan’ / This program is open on an ongoing basis
SCIENCE AND INNOVATION
This grant provides entrepreneurs with access to business-related advisory services and financial support offered through a nation-wide network of over 170 business experts. Funding and support aims to ‘strengthen, grow, innovate and commercialise’ Australian made products and services for domestic and international markets.
Max funding $20,000 / This program is open on an ongoing basis
Arena Advancing Renewables Program
This funding stream seeks to support a range of projects aimed at: assisting the transition to affordable, reliable sources of renewable energy, the commercialisation of clean hydrogen and greater use of low-emissions metals.
Max funding $50M / This program is open on an ongoing basis
This funding stream aims to assist those seeking to start a new business and create their own job. This program is offered in 23 locations across Australia, including two in South Australia.
This program is open on an ongoing basis
The Prime Minister’s Prize for Science – Prize for Innovation
This prize is awarded to celebrate and recognise the innovative translation of scientific knowledge into a commercially viable product, service or process. It is hoped that these creations will have economic, social and, where possible, environmental benefits.
Nominations open 26 April and close 19 May 2022
This program is available on an annual basis
This grant seeks to provide financial support for projects that provide a direct benefit to the South Australian dairy industry. The program supports innovative ideas that represent ‘value for money’ and a genuine potential to improve all areas of the industry and its supply chain. The assessment panel is especially keen to see applications which focus on support and encouragement for local investment and value-adding, with a view to create new products and open Australian and overseas markets.
This program is open on an ongoing basis
Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC – Quick Response Funding
This funding supports researchers with travel costs associated with visiting disaster-affected areas to assess the event, survey its impacts and record valuable data.
Max funding $2,500 / This program is open on an ongoing basis
National Science Week – SA Community Grants
This funding seeks to increase awareness within the public of the important role science, technology and innovation play in our community. Main goals of this grant are to: promote discussion about scientific issues, encourage younger generations to study science, ‘sell’ scientific careers and recognise achievements of Australians working in this space.
Max funding $20,000 / Applications close 6 May 2022
REGIONAL/FARMING
This financial support is offered to farmers with the goal of strengthening their ‘farm business.’ This loan aims to assist those in need with refinancing debt, enhancing productivity, payment of operational or capital expenses and funding for drought-related activities.
This program is open on an ongoing basis
This group seeks to provide assistance, food hampers, care packages and support to farming families experiencing hardship. There are a range of supports including: provision of stock feed, financial guidance and inter-personal engagement and support.
This program is open on an ongoing basis
This grant seeks to provide farming families with practical support to evaluate their current financial situation and plan forward to address their financial security on a long-term basis.
This program is open on an ongoing basis
MULTICULTURAL
Funding provided by this program seeks to improve health outcomes for immigrants and refugees by increasing their access to training and education.
Max funding $5,000 / This program is open on an ongoing
Afghan-Australia Community Support Grants Program
This scheme seeks to support community groups completing critical work to welcome and assist recent or future refugees and asylum seekers who have come to Australia as a result of the most recent crisis in Afghanistan. Funding seeks to promote engagement across the wider community, with successful applicants supported through a series of capacity building and leadership training sessions.
Max funding $375,000 / Applications close 6 May 2022
ENVIRONMENT
This program seeks to enable and empower groups striving for environmental sustainability and the preservation of biodiversity. Key areas of interest to the fund include: species loss due to habitat destruction, landscape and water management and solutions to climate change.
No max funding / This program is open on an ongoing basis
Wettenhall Environment Trust – Small Environmental Grants Scheme
This funding stream is dedicated to assisting groups or individuals pursuing projects that will positively impact their natural environment. Areas of focus may be land, sea or air and can be based in either rural or urban settings.
Max funding $10,000 / Applications open 1 April with funding released in May 2022
Hamer Sprout Fund Sustainability Grants
This funding is dedicated to active community groups working in their community to create a sustainable future. The central aims of this grant include: innovative environmental education, environmental action, advocacy for sustainability and promoting collaboration between youths engaged in positions of environmental leadership.
Max funding $10,000 / Applications close 30 September 2022
Hort Innovation – Hort Frontiers Strategic Partnership Initiative
Funding provided through this program seeks to assist in future-proofing Australian horticulture projects. Support is provided through cross-industry investments dedicated to long-term, complex areas that are usually under-funded.
Funding provided through investment / This program is open on an ongoing basis
Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme
This program promotes investment in small-scale renewable energy with the goal of creating financial drivers for individuals and businesses to install systems which generate electricity and hot water.
Funding provided as a rebate / This program is open on an ongoing basis
Australian Bird Environment Foundation Community Grants
This program supports local projects focused on the conservation of birds and habitat. Two grant streams are available, community grants for ‘hands on’ projects and network capacity-building grants.
Max funding for community projects $5,000 / Max funding for capacity-building $10,000
Applications close 30 April 2022
Bushfire Recovery Fencing Grants – Kangaroo Island
This funding seeks to assist landholders with replacement or establishment of fencing to protect native vegetation and revegetation projects within the 2019-2020 firescar. Funding may be offered retrospectively, as well as for future works.
Funding depends upon project size / Applications close 31 October 2022
This grant aims to provide support to those who play a central role in conservation-based projects. The main focus is for people who have developed professionally in their own field or those who have assisted with landscape restoration on a grass roots level.
Max funding $5,000 / Applications open 1 April with funding released in May 2022
This grant seeks to support individual landholders, schools, volunteers, community organisations and other not for profit groups who work towards environmental and sustainable agriculture benefits in the Hills and Fleurieu regions.
Max funding $20,000 / Applications close 3 May 2022
VETERANS
This program seeks to preserve Australia’s wartime history and engage Australians in a wide range of projects and initiatives which highlight the commitment and dedication of Australian service personnel in wars, conflicts and peace operations. Funding may be used in smaller community grants or major nation-wide projects.
Max funding $150,000 / Applications close 7 February 2023
COUNCIL
Council grants are often a good place to start when looking for funding options to support localised projects. Although funding is often more limited than State or Federal grants, these programs are specific to the local area and provide groups with a fantastic local connection and funding source. While some are listed in the body of this newsletter, further information about each of the Councils’ grants programs can be found by following the links listed below.
