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Applying for a grant

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Apply for funding for your community group, project or organisation with a Council grant. Check your eligibility.

Three people meeting at a community grants information session.

About grants 

Our grants provide financial support for clubs, societies and non-profit organisations to improve their services and facilities. 

We also offer grants to local creatives, seniors groups, and people working on environmental and sustainability projects.

Grants are awarded throughout the year through an application process.

What grants does Council have available?

Our Community grants support non-profit community groups to develop and improve community facilities and services.

The grants help to meet the needs of vulnerable groups in our community. 

Community grants include:

  • Lord Mayor’s Better Suburbs Grants
  • Lord Mayor’s Safer Suburbs Grants 
  • Lord Mayor’s Community Fund 
  • Housing Support Program 

Read the Community Grants Policy.

Community and Environmental Grants provide support for individuals and non-profit community groups.

The grants help to fund projects that benefit Brisbane's natural environment.

Community and Environmental Grants support caring for local habitat, community gardens and wildlife.

Our Creative and History Grants support Brisbane artists, arts workers and producers to develop new work and undertake professional development opportunities.

The grants help fund projects by students, researchers and local cultural and historical organisations.

Creative and history grants include: 

  • Creative Sparks Grants Program
  • Lord Mayor’s Creative Fellowships
  • Historical Organisation Assistance Grant Program.

Stay informed

Join Council’s Community Grants Register to receive updates about community grants, including opening dates.

How to apply for a grant

Once you have found a grant that is right for you, you can submit your application online when the application round opens.

1 Check your eligibility

Ensure that you meet the eligibility guidelines and understand the assessment criteria for the grant. You can find this information on the page specific to your grant.

2 Find out if the grant is open

Check the opening/closing dates for grant applications of your chosen grant. You can also use the Funding Finder tool to view all grants that are currently open.

If your grant isn’t open, you can register to receive alerts through the Funding Finder. 

3 Submit your application

Council grant applications are submitted online through the SmartyGrants portal. You'll find the link to the SmartyGrants application in the grant information.

Grant application tips

Get expert tips on writing a good grant application and hear from past grant recipients.

You can watch:

Questions? Call Council on 07 3403 8888.

Other types of Council funding

Seniors Celebration Donation 

The Seniors Celebration Donation helps senior citizens' groups to cover the cost of social activities such as outings and Christmas parties. 

$100-$300

Apply if you’re a:

  • club or group providing activities for seniors that is not funded by other sources

  • seniors' group that is part of another organisation.

You must also: 

  • have a current operational bank account. Donation payments cannot be made to individuals

  • be based in the Brisbane Local Government Area.

Applications will be prioritised as follows:

  • Priority 1 - Groups run by seniors for the benefit of seniors 

  • Priority 2 - Community groups supporting seniors

  • Priority 3 - Hobby and recreation groups that have senior members

  • Priority 4 - Welfare services for seniors.

Eligible projects include:

  • Social outings and bus trips for Brisbane seniors

  • Celebrations, such as Christmas parties.

Applications for this funding are currently closed.

Please check back for updates on new opening dates.

Read the Seniors Celebration Donation guidelines before you apply. Check back here for a link to the application form when applications are open. 

Read the full guidelines.

Sponsorship

Council sponsorship may provide financial or in-kind support for eligible projects that can:

  • help your community or organisation bring ideas to life
  • create opportunities for our residents and visitors
  • help Council  make a difference in the community. 

Check your eligibility for Council sponsorship before you apply.

More funding options

Search for grants from organisations across Australia on the Funding Finder. Get tips for your application, find grant writers and sign up for new grant alerts.

Funding finder

Acquittal of funding 

As a condition of grant funding, you must complete an acquittal form at the end of your project. 

To complete the acquittal form, you must submit:

  • a financial report detailing how the funds received were spent 

  • an evaluation report outlining how the project's outcomes contributed to aims and objectives of the grant program.

Your funding agreement will include the due date of the acquittal report.  

Submit an acquittal report

You can submit your acquittal report online.  

  1. Log into your SmartyGrants account. 
  2. Click on ‘My submissions’. 
  3. Attach the necessary documents and complete the form.

Frequently asked questions

A grant is a payment to a community organisation for a specific community purpose. Grants are subject to conditions as documented in a Funding Agreement, including acquittal.  

A sponsorship is a support agreement that helps to deliver a community service or activity in return for negotiated benefits, including the right to associate a sponsor’s name with the activity. 

In Council, grant and sponsorship applications are managed through separate processes.  

You can speak to a Council Grants Officer about your application. Call Council on 07 3403 8888.

SmartyGrants is an online grants administration system. SmartyGrants is the system through which grant applications and accquittals are submitted.

Council also receives eligible sponsorship applications through a customised SmartyGrants system.