Where to find grants for community groups in Australia

There is more community funding available than most groups realise. The problem is rarely that grants do not exist. It is that they are scattered across dozens of council, state, and federal pages, each with its own portal and calendar. Here is where to look, and how to focus on the rounds worth your time.

Funding comes in three tiers

Local - your council
Small to medium community grants, roughly $500 to $80,000. The most winnable for local groups, and tied directly to your community's needs.

State - Victorian Government (and equivalents)
Larger programs for specific priorities: youth, health, environment, industry. More competitive, bigger amounts.

Federal - Australian Government
National programs, often for larger organisations or partnerships. Listed centrally on GrantConnect.

Start local. Council grants are smaller but far more winnable, and a track record there strengthens larger applications later.

Start with your local council

Your council is the best first stop. The amounts are smaller, but the competition is local, the priorities are clear, and the process is designed for community groups rather than professional grant teams. Most Victorian councils run their grants through the SmartyGrants portal and publish guidelines, rounds, and past recipients on their website.

A few examples of what local grant pages look like:

Local council community grants (Victoria):

Find your own council's page by searching "[your council name] community grants". Look for the guidelines document, the list of open rounds, and the page of previously funded projects, which tells you exactly what they like to back.

Then look to your state government

State programs are larger and more targeted. In Victoria, the government lists grants centrally, and runs themed programs for particular priorities.

Victorian Government grants:

Victorian Government grants directory - search open programs by category
Future Ready Grants - an example of a themed state program

Federal and philanthropic funding

Federal grants are listed on GrantConnect, the Australian Government's central portal. They tend to suit larger organisations or partnerships. Beyond government, philanthropic trusts and foundations fund a huge amount of community work, often for projects governments will not. These are worth researching once you have a local track record.

How to pick the rounds worth your time

You cannot apply for everything. Focus where your odds are best:

The round's purpose clearly matches our project
We meet every eligibility rule (organisation type, location, costs)
The funding range fits the size of what we want to do
The funder has backed similar projects before
We can realistically meet the closing date with a strong application

Winnable beats big. A $10,000 local grant you are well-matched for is worth more than a $200,000 federal program you are a long shot for. Build a track record on winnable rounds, then reach higher.

Common questions

How do I know when rounds open?

Most councils open community grants once or twice a year on a set calendar, and some run small grants all year round. Subscribe to your council's grants newsletter, and check the state and federal directories monthly. Deadlines are the number one reason good projects miss out.

We are not incorporated. Which grants can we get?

Start local. Many councils offer small grants to individuals and unincorporated groups, or let an incorporated organisation auspice your application. State and federal programs usually require incorporation.

Grantzo brings the funder to you. Pick a council or program, and it loads the real guidelines, priorities, application questions, and recently funded projects, then checks whether you are a fit before you commit. Start your first draft and find the round you are most likely to win.