Grants For Australian Charities

Grants can offer a critical revenue stream to charities, assisting with the costs of projects, programs, and even operating overheads. Many charities rely on and would not be able to continue without the support of grants.

Charities and other not-for-profit organisations who are looking for grants can find more than 1,000 grants through joining The Grants Hub.

How much is a typical charity grant?

The value of a charity grant might be small, say from $1,000, up to thousands and even millions of dollars. This will depend on:

• The size and objectives of the funding provider

• The total funding pool

• The size of the charity organisation

• The scope of the project or initiative.

For example, a community-based charity run by volunteers and/or part-time employees might start looking at small grants of a few thousand dollars.

A large state-based or national charity with an operating budget of more than $1m might be aiming for grants with a minimum of $10,000 - $20,000+.

Who makes grants for charities?

Charity grants are available from many different types of funding providers, including:

• Local councils

• State government

• Federal government

• Local businesses

• Private foundations
  

• Public foundations (including corporations).

What's the difference between a charity donation and a grant?

From a tax perspective, donations and grants may be treated similarly (but not necessarily always). Donations are generally made 'no strings attached'. Your charity can use a donation towards whatever purpose you see fit.

Grants almost always come with some form of expectation, requirement, or restriction. The grant funder may:

• Expect you to use the money on a certain project or program

• Require you to not use it for certain expenses, and/or

• Like some form of report showing how the money was spent, classically referred to as an acquittal report.

Funding providers use grant agreements to outline how they expect their contribution to be treated by the grant recipient.

What should you consider before applying for charity grants?

Before you apply for a charity grant, you should consider whether your organisation is 'grant ready'. In other words:

• You have scoped out what your organisation is aiming to achieve

• You have resources that you can commit to grant seeking, grant applications, delivery of projects, and grant reporting.

There is a common misconception that a grant is 'free money'. However, most grant programs require your time and resources, and almost every funding provider will have expectations they want you to fulfil. Often, grants come with some strings attached.

Expect to spend some time looking for grants and preparing grant applications, for example, pulling together your:

• Project plan

• Quotes

• Budget

• Letters of support

• Other documents requested by the funder.

How can you be successful with grants?

Once you are grant-ready, make a plan about the types of grants you want to seek out and how you will manage your grants program. For example, smaller charities may want to focus on small, local grant opportunities. Many of these types of charities may decide to apply for state or national grants where there is a significant funding pool, increasing the chance of their success if they invest time in an application.

Some charities use volunteers, including board members, to seek out and apply for grants, while larger charities may invest in an employee or contractor who is responsible for grants research and development activities.

Regardless of size, many charities also invest in tools and services to help them on their grants journey. A grants directory like The Grants Hub makes it easier to find grants that align with your organisation's objectives, so that you're only putting your time and energy into grants you're eligible for. We'll also help you keep track of any changes to grant deadlines (this does happen!).

Below are just a few of the many charity grants you'll find as a member of The Grants Hub.

Current Charity Grant Opportunities

Insignia Community Grants Program

Provider: Insignia Community Foundation
Amount: $10,000 - $200,000
Applications open: 1 July 2026
Applications close: 31 July 2026
Location: National

Supports impactful programs that address and relieve specific community needs, with a focus on ensuring participants leave the program in a better position than when they arrived.

Five impact areas supported:

• Financial wellbeing – improving skills and confidence to achieve financial security, including employment training and financial literacy

• Basic needs – providing vital items that help people feel included, healthier, and more financially secure

• Reconciliation – furthering the endeavours of First Nations people through employment, business ownership, education and financial training

• Diversity and inclusion – enabling social participation for all through inclusive programs

• Mental health – improving access to quality care, support and resources for people of all ages

Eligibility:

• DGR Item 1 endorsement required

• Expression of interest forms accepted in July and November only

• Grants typically range from $10,000–$100,000 per year, with multi-year funding of up to two years available

Save to Favourites/Calendar | Apply Now

Community Wellbeing Grants

Provider: The Ian Potter Foundation
Amount: From $100,000
Applications open: 28 May 2026
Applications close: 18 June 2026
Location: National

Funds initiatives delivered by organisations supporting people with disabilities or otherwise marginalised individuals, with the primary objective of securing employment pathways.

Key details:

• Multi-year grants only, with a minimum of $100,000

• Preventative programs addressing the root causes of disadvantage are favoured

• High-need areas with a strong volunteer component are particularly encouraged

• Applicants must contact the Program Manager before submitting an Expression of Interest

• The Foundation rarely awards the full amount of any project

Eligibility:

• Must hold both DGR Item 1 and Tax Concession Charity (TCC) status

• Open to organisations of any size

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Harcourts Foundation Grants

Provider: Harcourts Foundation
Amount: Unspecified Amount
Applications close: 3 May 2026
Location: National

Provides support for specific events, projects, items, or initiatives that help, grow, and enrich local communities, funded through Harcourts real estate offices across Australia.

What you need to know:

• Applications must be for a specific event, project, item, or initiative (not ongoing operational costs)

• The event or project must be scheduled to occur within four months of the grant decision date

• Applications are only considered where a Harcourts office operates in your area

• Priority given to applications with the widest potential community impact

• Grants will not be made for items already purchased or events already held

Eligibility:

• Must hold both DGR Item 1 and Tax Concession Charity (TCC) status

• Open to national and regional organisations for community-specific applications

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Honda Foundation Grants

Provider: The Honda Foundation
Amount: Unspecified Amount
Applications close: 8 August 2026
Location: National

Provides financial assistance to charities and organisations doing meaningful work across a range of social and environmental issues.

Focus areas:

• Supporting people who are disadvantaged, disabled, or suffering from illness

• Relief for victims of natural disasters

• Promotion of innovation and new technologies

How to apply:

• Complete the application form online

• Locate your nearest authorised Honda Motor Vehicle Dealership and arrange a meeting with the Dealer Principal

• If endorsed by the Dealer Principal, submit the application via post or email

Eligibility:

• Must hold both DGR status

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Additional Grant Opportunities

Gordon Darling Foundation Grants

Provides funding for a range of visual arts projects Australia-wide, including catalogues and publications, professional education, collection management, and research projects. DGR status required; individuals must partner with a Public Institution.

Applications close: 29 May 2026

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Sprout Grants

Supports projects and organisations that build communities inspired to take action for a sustainable future, with a focus on environmental education, action, and youth leadership. Up to $5,000 per project, co-contribution required.

Applications close: 30 September 2026

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