Grants & Funding

Links to funding opportunities for young people and people working with young people.

Grants and funding links

For young people

  • Youth Off The Streets Scholarships 2008 are now available.  Nominations are now being taken from young people aged between 14 and 21 years with a clear need for financial assistance.  Nominations close on 9 May.

  • The Youth Action and Policy Association (YAPA) are coordinating Youth Participation Grants Program  which gives young people the power and resources to develop and implement community activities in their local area. If you are aged between 12 and 25 and have an idea for a project that will benefit your community in some way, you may be interested in applying for a Youth Participation Grant. Round One for 2008 closes on 24 April.

  • The Young Entrepreneurship Program offers up to $400 subsidy to young people starting new businesses.  This assistance is designed to develop business management skills through training and/or to meet some of the costs of business start-up.This program is an initiative of the Department of State and Regional Development  and it has been extended from December 31 until 31 July 2007. To find out more vist the Small Business Website.

  • The Annual Scholarship Program for australian School Students aims to recognise and reward achievement and dedication by teachers, support staff and school students.  the program offers two scholarships, the Annual Professional Development Scholarship and the Annual Student Achievement Scholarship.  Both are worth $2000 to be used towards education expenses.  Application Packs and further details can be obtained by calling School Social Clubs on 1300 792 457.

  • Arrive alive grants of up to $10,000 are available each year to groups of young people aged 16 to 25 years in NSW to develop and implement road safety education activities in their local community. Groups need support from a local incorporated organisation (e.g. a local Council, youth centre, PCYC or Church group) to look after the finances and administration of the project.

  • The Australia Council is committed to supporting, encouraging and promoting creative practices, by, for and with young people, including funding.

  • British Council Australia offers 'Realise Your Dreams' grants to three outstanding creative young Australians aged between 18 and 24. The funding is for a short trip to the UK, worth $10,000. Applications are open from 15 January 2008 to 30 June 2008.

  • The Foundation for Young Australians offers funding for a range of purposes, aimed at both individual young people and youth-focused non-profit organisations. Funding available for young people includes: challenge ya! youth project grants; the Fund for Individuals; the On Track Leadership Project for training and development; and the Robert Riley Scholarship Program for young Indigenous Australians. There is also an Opportunity Bank which looks at applications that do not fall within these opportunities.

  • Indent is a NSW youth entertainment network which funds people aged between 12 and 25 who want to create, develop or produce entertainment. 

  • Nescafe Big Break awards which previously provided funding to talented young Australians and New Zealanders is currently being evaluated. Refer to that website if you would like to feedback ideas or suggestions.

  • The NSW Aboriginal Youth Leadership Project is a youth development project funded through the NSW Government's Aboriginal Child, Youth and Family Strategy. The project helps young people learn by doing something that interests them and awards them money to put their ideas into action. Funds are available to groups of two or more young Aboriginal people aged 12 to 25 and living in the following towns or surrounding areas: Blacktown LGA, Bourke, Dubbo, Gunnedah, Nowra, Taree and Forster-Tuncurry. Contact local co-ordinators for more information (listed in brochure).

  • The STA Travel Trust sees travel as a force for social change and provides assistance to those aged over 18 with big ideas who need to travel to make them happen.

  • YouthActionNet awards US$500 to youth leaders and their emerging projects that promote social change and connect youth with local communities. Applicants must be aged 18-29; individuals applying must have a leadership role in a youth-led initiative that works to create positive change in their community.

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For organisations working with young people

  • Youth Off The Streets Scholarships 2008 are now available.  Nominations are now being taken from young people aged between 14 and 21 years with a clear need for financial assistance, and can be submitted on their behalf.  Nominations close on 9 May.

  • Nominations are now open for the National Drug and Alcohol Awards 2008.  These awards recognise and celebrate acheivements in addressing drug and alcohol issues.  Up to $5,000 in prize money is available and nominations close on 11 April 2008.

  • The Australia Council is committed to supporting, encouraging and promoting creative practices, by, for and with young people, including funding.

  • The Australian Clearinghouse for Youth Studies provides  links to funding sources for research and work with young people.

  • The Foundation for Young Australians offers funding for a range of purposes, aimed at both individual young people and youth-focused non-profit organisations. Funding available for organisations includes: Partnership Grants, for the development of youth-led initiatives; Youth Led Futures grants for Indigenous organisations; Indigenous Small Grants and Youth for Youth Investments for initiative funding. There is also an Opportunity Bank which looks at applications that do not fall within these opportunities. For 2008 funding opportunities see the Foundation for Young Australians Website.

  • The St.George Foundation provides financial support to charitable organisations throughout Australia to help them assist children and young people up to 18 years of age with special needs. The Governors of the Foundation meet twice a year to consider applications for financial assistance from $2,500-$25,000. Applications for financial assistance for less than $2,500 are given discretionary consideration once a month. The closing dates for applications in 2008 are 22 February and 13 June 2008.

  • The Telstra Foundation Community Development Fund supports charitable organisations that assist or support Australian children and young people (18 years and younger).

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General grants and funding links

  • Australian Charities is a source of information on the Australian charitable sector and fundraising.

  • The Australian Taxation Office has published a guide for non-profit organisations about fundraising.

  • communitybuilders.nsw links to a range of government and non-government sources of funding for all kinds of purposes, as well as linking to other funding directories. The site also has a submission writing section.

  • GrantsLINK is the Commonwealth Government's community grants site.

  • Grassroots Funding offers fundraising ideas and tips.

  • The Sydney Community Foundation provides funding for projects that focus on young people at risk, young families and women experiencing disadvantage, and Indigenous and culturally diverse communities. The website has funding guidelines available.

  • The Mumbulla Foundation offers funding resources for the Bega Valley region and is also developing a comprehensive listing of funding opportunities.

  • Philanthropy Australia represents private, family and charitable trusts offering funding.

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