The Volunteer Grants Activity supports community organisations through the Families and Communities Program, recognizing the valuable work of Australia’s volunteers.

Overview

This grant activity is part of the Families and Communities Program and aims to strengthen community functioning by supporting and increasing participation in volunteering. The funding can cover expenses for online communication and insurance items, small equipment, training, and background screening checks for the main purpose of supporting volunteer cohorts and volunteer-run activities.

The process for applying is closed and non-competitive. The initial process involved an Expression of Interest (EOI) from Federal Members of Parliament (MPs), who consulted with a community committee to develop a list of nominated organisations.

Eligibility

To be eligible to receive a grant, an organisation must meet several criteria:

• Must be a community organisation nominated by a Federal MP via the EOI process and must have received an invitation to apply through GrantConnect.
• Must be a legal and eligible entity, or an unincorporated association that agrees to the primary contact entering into an agreement on behalf of the unincorporated association.
• Must have a minimum of 40% of volunteers working for the organisation.
• Must be a not-for-profit community organisation.
• Must have an Australian Business Number (ABN) or be willing to complete a Statement by a Supplier Form within the application form.
• Must have a bank account with an Australian financial institution in the name of the organisation applying (unless applying as an unincorporated association).
• Must be willing and legally able to enter into a grant agreement with the Commonwealth.

Eligible entity types include, but are not limited to: Company, Cooperative, Corporate State or Territory Entity, Incorporated Association, Indigenous Corporation, Non-corporate State or Territory Entity, Non-corporate State or Territory Statutory Authority, Statutory Entity, a not-for-profit community organisation associated with, but not legally part of, a Local Council, and Unincorporated association.

Funding and Benefits

The grant funding can be utilized to cover expenses related to supporting volunteer cohorts and volunteer-run activities, including:

• Online communication
• Insurance items
• Small equipment
• Training
• Background screening checks

Application Process

Applications are accepted by invitation only. The process requires nomination by a Federal MP and subsequent invitation via GrantConnect.

Deadline and Timeline

Close Date & Time: 29-May-2026 5:00 pm (ACT Local Time)

Publish Date: 18-May-2026

Contact Information

For further details, applicants may contact the Community Grants Hub:

• Website: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/community-grants (Example link, please verify)
• Email/Contact: (Details not provided, please check official sources)