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Community grants

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Apply for a community grant for your local non-profit group. Check your eligibility, round dates and grant guidelines.

About Council's community grants

Our community grant programs support the work of non-profit community groups. 

The funding helps to develop and improve local facilities and services and build strong communities in Brisbane. 

We also offer grants to help meet the housing and social needs of vulnerable groups in our community.

For more information:

Stay informed

Join our Community Grants Register to receive updates about our community grants, including upcoming opening and closing dates.

Sign up
Three people meeting at a community grants information session.

Lord Mayor’s Better Suburbs Grants

This program supports not-for-profit community organisations to run projects and activities that maintain, improve and develop community facilities. 

The program has 2 grant categories:

Community Facility Category

This provides funds to improve, develop and maintain Council community-leased facilities.

Funding is available for both the planning and design, and construction, phases of projects.

The program operates through a two-stage application process.

Stage 1 - Expression of Interest (EOI)

Applicants submit a description of the proposed project, indicative community need and expected benefit, project feasibility and project cost. EOIs are assessed to determine whether the project is suitable to progress to the Invitation to Apply (ITA) stage.

Stage 2 - Invitation to Apply (ITA)

Applicants invited to progress submit a detailed ITA application including detailed project information, budgets, supporting documentation, approvals and quotations where applicable.

Prioritised projects

Each year, Council will identify and publish grant round priorities based on current community needs. These priorities will be listed at the start of the application form and may include areas such as sports field lighting, building maintenance, increased diversity of use, or participation opportunities.

We will also give preference to applicants who have not yet received a Lord Mayor’s Better Suburbs Grant in either Category (Community Support or Community Facility), or significant Council funding for capital works, within the current financial year. This does not apply where the organisation is acting as an auspice.

Accessibility and inclusion

  • Accessibility features such as ramps, pathways, carpark improvements, and automatic doors and lifts.
  • Accessible toilets, changerooms and shower facilities.
  • New, additional or converted all-gender facilities.

Lighting

  • New or upgraded LED sports field/court lighting to training standard.
  • Pathway and carpark lighting.
  • Replacement of ageing or non-compliant lighting assets.

Activation

  • Roof, building and structural repairs.
  • Field-of-play improvements (e.g. drainage, surfaces and retaining structures).
  • Other project which improves safety, amenity, compliance or asset condition.

 

Who can apply?

Applicants must be an incorporated not-for-profit organisation that leases a facility from Council.

Funding amount

Grant amounts range from $10,000 to $200,000 (GST exclusive).

Planning and Design applications are limited to a maximum funding request of $30,000.

Eligible projects

Option 1 – Planning and design for a proposed community facility improvement or development project

Planning and design proposals must relate to a specific, identified facility project intended to progress to future delivery. Applications for broad strategic, master planning or organisational planning activities are not supported.

Projects may include:

  • design development and drawings
  • the engagement of specialist consultants
  • feasibility studies and technical investigations
  • contaminated land investigations or specialist advice
  • development application fees and certification fees.

Option 2 – The construction phase of a community facility improvement, development or maintenance project

Projects that involve the delivery of infrastructure works, including improvement, development or maintenance projects that align with the grant round priorities.

The terms ‘improvement’ and ‘development’ include:

  • replacement or upgrade of infrastructure, e.g. clubhouses or buildings, sports fields, indoor sports flooring, court conversion to multi-use and new or energy-efficient light installation
  • the development of new infrastructure, e.g. clubhouses, sports fields, accessible and ambulant amenities, change rooms, water tanks, irrigation systems, access paths and ramps, solar panels, field lighting, accessible car parking, practice training nets, automated doors, lifts and storage facilities.

The term ‘maintenance’ means work undertaken on existing infrastructure including:

  • reinstating the physical condition to an appropriate standard including like-for-like replacement
  • preventing further deterioration or failure
  • undertaking repairs for health, safety and/or security reason.
Check your eligibility

Apply if you:

  • are an incorporated not-for-profit organisation that leases a Council community-leased facility
  • are supported by an incorporated not-for-profit organisation that accepts legal and financial responsibility for the project on Council leased land (auspice organisation)
  • have the authority to undertake the proposed works on a Council community-leased facility 
  • don't have outstanding debts, overdue or un-acquitted grants with Council or outstanding issues with the Office of Fair Trading at the time of your application
  • can show that Council’s annual lessee survey (Census) has been completed for the Council Community Leased Facility subject to the application. 

Grant round dates

EOI opening date 8 September 2026
EOI closing date 5 October 2026
EOI notification of outcome 16 November 2026
ITA opening date
 16 November 2026
ITA closing date 1 February 2027
ITA notification of outcome Mid-March 2027
Project start date Mid-March 2027
mdi information outline1

Note

You can join our Community Grants Register to receive updates about community grant rounds.

Application process

Find out how to apply for the grant and what you need to include in your application.

Read the full guidelines and eligibility requirements for the Lord Mayor’s Better Suburbs Grants Guidelines - Community Facility Category.

Before applying, you must read and understand the grant guidelines and conditions.

You will also need to submit a budget table to support your application. Read our budget tips, including an example of a budget table.

You can also access tips and resources to help you with your application.

All applications are submitted via our online application system, SmartyGrants. This will allow you to save, develop and print applications before they are submitted.

Check back here for a link to the application form when applications are open. 

EOI stage

You’ll receive written notification from Council letting you know whether you have been Invited to Apply (ITA) to the next stage or you’re not progressing. This will occur within the timeframe indicated in the round dates. 

ITA stage

You'll receive written notification from Council letting you know whether your application was successful or unsuccessful. This will occur within the timeframe indicated in the round dates. 

The list of successful applicants will be published on Council’s website.

If you're successful, you will need to consent to a funding agreement and comply with all relevant guidelines. As a condition of grant funding, you must complete an acquittal form on SmartyGrants at the end of your project. The due date will be on your funding agreement.

To complete the acquittal form, you must include:

  • 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.

If you’re unsuccessful, you can seek feedback by contacting a Sport and Community Officer.

Funding recipients

Find information about the previous recipients of this grant.

Community Support Category

This funds projects that respond to local community needs, improve community facilities and build organisational capacity. 

Who can apply?

Apply if you’re:

  • an incorporated not-for-profit organisation (see the guidelines for exclusions)
  • supported by an incorporated not-for-profit organisation that accepts legal and financial responsibility for the project or activity (auspice organisation).
Funding amount

Applicants can apply for funding of up to $10,000.

Eligible projects
  • minor maintenance or improvement works on a community facility to be completed within 12 months of the Notification Date, e.g. roof repairs, plumbing repairs, painting and general building works
  • planning and design work relating to a community facility, e.g. design, plans, investigations
  • improving community organisation governance and long-term sustainability
  • purchasing operational equipment for community organisations
  • responding to local and citywide community issues
  • increasing participation in community sport, recreation and physical activity
  • increasing access and appreciation of Brisbane’s history and heritage
  • contributing to community safety 
  • improving existing projects, services and activities to be more inclusive of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.
Check your eligibility

Your project is eligible if it meets one or more of the following aims:

  • your project supports community facility maintenance and improvement
  • your project improves community organisation governance and long-term sustainability
  • your project provides operational equipment for community organisations
  • your project enables projects and activities that respond to community needs.

Your organisation must also:

  • demonstrate that the grant will be used for community benefit within the Brisbane Local Government Area
  • meet all acquittal conditions of previous Council grants, have no debt to Council and be financially viable
  • have public liability insurance cover to a minimum value of $20 million and have appropriate workplace health and safety policies in accordance with the Funding Agreement.

Grant round dates

Opening date 23 March 2026
Closing date 11 May 2026
Notification of outcome Mid-August 2026
Project start date Late July 2026
mdi information outline1

Note

You can join our Community Grants Register to receive updates about community grant rounds.

Application process

Find out how to apply for the grant and what you need to include in your application.

Read the full guidelines and eligibility requirements for the Lord Mayor’s Better Suburbs Grants Guidelines - Community Support Category.

Before applying, make sure you read and understand the grant guidelines, eligibility and conditions.

You must submit a budget for your planned project as part of your application. Read our budget tips and review an example budget table. 

You can also access tips and resources to help you with your application.

All applications are submitted via our online application system, SmartyGrants. This will allow you to save, develop and print applications before they are submitted.

Check back here for a link to the application form when applications are open. 

You will receive written notification from Council letting you know whether your application was successful or unsuccessful. This will occur within the timeframe indicated in the round dates.

The list of successful applicants will be published on Council’s website.

If you're successful, you will need to consent to a funding agreement and comply with all relevant guidelines.  As a condition of grant funding, you must complete an acquittal form on SmartyGrants at the end of your project. The due date will be on your funding agreement.

To complete the acquittal form, you must include:

  • 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.

If you’re unsuccessful, you can seek feedback by contacting a Council Grants Officer. 

Funding recipients

Find information about the previous recipients of this grant.

Lord Mayor’s Safer Suburbs Grants

The Lord Mayor's Safer Suburbs Grants provide funding to support projects that strengthen security for community-leased facilities.   

Who can apply?

Applicants must be an incorporated not-for-profit organisation that leases a facility from Council.

Funding amount

Applicants can apply for funding of up to $10,000.

Eligible projects

Projects must implement safety and security measures for facilities that are leased from Council, to help deter crime. For example:

  • installation of CCTV cameras
  • new locks
  • security screens and fencing
  • improved external lighting.
Check your eligibility

Your incorporated not-for-profit organisation must: 

  • have met all acquittal conditions of previous Council grants, have no debt to Council and be financially viable
  • have public liability insurance cover to a minimum value of $20 million and have appropriate workplace health and safety policies in accordance with the Funding Agreement
  • ensure that Council’s annual lessee survey census has been completed for the site subject to the application
  • be able to demonstrate that you have the capacity to maintain the completed improvement works.

Grant round dates

Applications open 28 July 2025
Applications close 8 September 2025
Notice of outcome Early November 2025
Project start Mid November 2025
mdi information outline1

Note

You can join our Community Grants Register to receive updates about community grant rounds.

Application process

Find out how to apply for the grant and what you need to include in your application.

Read the full guidelines and eligibility requirements for the Lord Mayor’s Safer Suburbs Grants.

Before applying, make sure you read and understand the grant guidelines, eligibility and conditions.

You must submit a budget for your planned project as part of your application. Read our budget tips and review an example budget table. 

You can also access tips and resources to help you with your application.

All applications are to be submitted via our online application system, SmartyGrants. This will allow you to save, develop and print applications before they are submitted.

Check back here for a link to the application form when applications are open. 

You will receive written notification from Council letting you know whether your application was successful or unsuccessful. This will occur within the timeframe indicated in the round dates. 

The list of successful applicants will be published on Council’s website.

If you're successful, you will need to consent to a funding agreement and comply with all relevant guidelines. As a condition of grant funding, you must complete an acquittal form on SmartyGrants at the end of your project. The due date will be on your funding agreement.

To complete the acquittal form, you must include:

  • 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.

If you’re unsuccessful, you can seek feedback by contacting a Council Grants Officer. 

Funding recipients

Find information about the previous recipients of this grant.

Lord Mayor’s Community Fund 

The Lord Mayor’s Community Fund (LMCF) supports local projects that create stronger social bonds. This is a councillor discretionary funding program where each councillor and the Lord Mayor has funds to allocate.

To access this grant, your project must contribute to our Brisbane Vision and help make Brisbane: 

  • friendly and safe 
  • active and healthy
  • clean and green
  • vibrant and creative.
Who can apply?

Community organisations can apply for funding for local projects.

Councillors can apply to support community events, activities or capital projects. 

Funding amount

Each Council ward is allocated $44,000 for community projects undertaken within their ward. The Lord Mayor also allocates $44,000 for community projects that involve multiple wards.

Grant amounts range from $250-$10,000. 

Eligible projects
  • Community events such as:
    • Australia Day ceremonies
    • fetes
    • events that charge an entry fee (e.g. fundraiser with a cover charge or festivals with a site entry fee).
  • Equipment hire for a community event.
  • Community facility improvements and equipment.
  • Funding towards community sporting organisations’ equipment and activities within a ward.
Check your eligibility

You can apply if:   

  • your project takes place in the Brisbane Local Government Area (LGA)
  • your project falls within a ward that is open for application 
  • you intend to use the funding for a community purpose and benefit
  • your project meets the program guidelines
  • your project contributes towards achieving one or more of the themes of Brisbane Vision 2031 and meets at least one program priority (you can find these in the guidelines)
  • your project has not yet commenced and will be implemented within 12 months of the date on the approval letter
  • your project will take place within the relevant ward boundary (or within another Brisbane LGA ward, subject to written approval from the ward’s councillor)
  • your project must not be used for ongoing operational funding of the community organisation.

Grant round dates

Applications close at midnight on Wednesday 16 June 2027, or when each ward has spent their allocated budget (whichever occurs sooner).

Application process

Find out if your ward is open for applications, how to apply for the grant and what you need to include in your application.

Before applying, make sure you read and understand the grant guidelines, eligibility and conditions.

You can also access tips and resources to help you with your application.

If your Council ward is open for applications, click 'Apply now' to access the application form.
 

Ward Status
Bracken Ridge Open / Apply now
Calamvale Open / Apply now
Central Open / Apply now
Chandler Open / Apply now
Coorparoo Open / Apply now
Deagon Open / Apply now
Doboy Open / Apply now
Enoggera Open / Apply now
Forest Lake Open / Apply now
Hamilton Open / Apply now
Holland Park Open / Apply now
Jamboree Open / Apply now
Lord Mayor’s Office Open / Apply now
MacGregor Open / Apply now
Marchant Open / Apply now
McDowall Open / Apply now
Moorooka Open / Apply now
Morningside Open / Apply now
Northgate Open / Apply now
Paddington Open / Apply now
Pullenvale Open / Apply now
Runcorn Open / Apply now
Tennyson Open / Apply now
The Gabba Open / Apply now
The Gap Open / Apply now
Walter Taylor Open / Apply now
Wynnum Manly Open / Apply now

You'll receive written notification from Council letting you know whether your application was successful or unsuccessful.

If successful, you'll need to comply with all relevant guidelines. If your project or event receives funding from the Lord Mayor's Community Fund, it must acknowledge the program with the words 'Supported by the Lord Mayor's Community Fund'.

All successful community organisations must provide a summary report (statements of expenditure, receipt and summary of the project where applicable) within 12 months of approval. 

If you’re unsuccessful, you can seek feedback by contacting your Ward Office. 

Funding recipients

Find information about the most recent and previous recipients of this grant.

Housing Support Program 

This program provides funding to community organisations for projects or services that respond to the housing and social needs of people experiencing homelessness or who live in social housing in the inner north of Brisbane. This includes:

  • Bowen Hills
  • Fortitude Valley 
  • New Farm
  • Newstead
  • Spring Hill
  • Teneriffe. 
Who can apply?

Apply if you:

  • are an incorporated not-for-profit organisation
  • are supported by an incorporated not-for-profit organisation that accepts legal and financial responsibility for the project or activity (auspice organisation)
  • don't have any outstanding debts, overdue or un-acquitted grants with Council.
Funding amount

Grant amounts range from $2,000-$10,000.

Eligible projects

Projects that enhance support services for people experiencing homelessness and people living in social housing, including: 

  • support to sustain tenancies
  • services that focus on empowerment, life skills, employability and opportunities for social inclusion
  • providing resources and equipment for projects and programs that meet the needs of people experiencing homelessness and people living in social housing
  • providing resources to support individuals transitioning into social and affordable housing.
Check your eligibility

Your project is eligible if it responds to all or some of the objectives of the Housing Support Program (you can find these in the guidelines), and:  

  • your project provides grants to services delivered in the inner north of Brisbane, including Fortitude Valley, New Farm, Newstead, Bowen Hills, Teneriffe and Spring Hill
  • your project will be implemented within 12 months of the date on the approval letter.

 

Grant round dates

Opening date 9 February 2026
Closing date 23 March 2026
Notification of outcome Late May 2026
Project start date 26 May 2026

Application process

Find out how to apply for the grant and what you need to include in your application.

Read the full guidelines and eligibility requirements for the Housing Support Program.

Before applying, make sure you read and understand the grant guidelines and eligibility.

You will need to submit a budget table to support your application. Read our budget tips, including an example of a budget table.

You can also access tips and resources to help you with your application.

All applications are to be submitted via our online application system, SmartyGrants. This will allow you to save, develop and print applications before they are submitted.

Check back here for a link to the application form when applications are open. 

You will receive written notification from Council letting you know whether your application was successful or unsuccessful. This will occur within the timeframe indicated in the round dates.

The list of successful applicants will be published on Council’s website.

If you're successful, you will need to consent to a funding agreement and comply with all relevant guidelines. 

If you’re unsuccessful, you can seek feedback by contacting a Council Grants Officer. 

Funding recipients

Find information about the previous recipients of this grant.

Seniors Celebration Donation 

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

Who can apply?

Apply if you:

  • are a club or group providing activities for seniors that is not funded by other sources
  • are a seniors' group that is part of another organisation.

Applications for donations will be prioritised as follows:

  1. Organisations, clubs or groups run by seniors for the benefit of seniors
  2. Community organisations, clubs or groups supporting seniors, or hobby and recreation organisations, clubs or groups that have a majority or all seniors members
  3. Welfare services for seniors.
Funding amount

$150-$350

Eligible projects

Eligible projects include:

  • social outings and bus trips for Brisbane seniors
  • celebrations, such as Christmas parties.
Check your eligibility

You must: 

  • be based in the Brisbane Local Government Area
  • have a current operational bank account. Donation payments cannot be made to individuals.

Grant round dates

Applications open 24 August 2026
Applications close 6 October 2026
Notice of outcome Late November 2026

Application process

Find out how to apply for the grant and what you need to include in your application.

Read the full guidelines and eligibility requirements for the Seniors Celebration Donations.

Applications to the Seniors Celebration Donation can be made online, by mail or in person.

Online applications are submitted via our online application system, SmartyGrants. This will allow you to save, develop and print applications before they are submitted.

Apply online

Other funding options for community groups 

Council’s Funding Finder gives Brisbane businesses, community groups and not-for-profits access to a list of grants and funding opportunities from organisations across Australia. 

Find out more

Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust Grants (LMCT)

The LMCT supports local Brisbane charities through a range of annual grant rounds. 

Learn more
A large group of people smile with their hands up. At the front, a few people hold a large cheque with the “Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust” written on it.