Community grants
Get funding for your local non-profit group with a community grant. Check your eligibility before you apply.

About 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.
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 $40,000 for community projects undertaken within their ward. The Lord Mayor also allocates $40,000 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).
- Australia Day ceremonies
- 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 guidelines and conditions
Read the guidelines and conditions for the Lord Mayor's Community Fund.
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'.
How to apply
If your Council ward is open for applications, click 'Apply now' to access the application form.
Check if your ward is open for funding.
Ward | Status |
---|---|
Bracken Ridge | Open / Apply Now |
Calamvale | Open / Apply Now |
Central | Open / Apply Now |
Chandler | Closed |
Coorparoo | Open / Apply Now |
Deagon | Open / Apply Now |
Doboy | Closed |
Enoggera | Open / Apply Now |
Forest Lake | Closed |
Hamilton | Open / Apply Now |
Holland Park | Open / Apply Now |
Jamboree | Closed |
Lord Mayor’s Office | Closed |
MacGregor | Open / Apply Now |
Marchant | Closed |
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 | Closed |
Tennyson | Closed |
The Gabba | Open / Apply Now |
The Gap | Closed |
Walter Taylor | Open / Apply Now |
Wynnum Manly | Open / Apply Now |
- Successful LMCF recipients 2023-24 Post March Election 2024 (Excel - 25kb)
- Successful LMCF recipients 2023-24 Pre March Election 2024 (Excel - 62kb)
- Successful LMCF recipients 2022-23 (Excel - 66kb)
- Successful LMCF recipients 2021-22 (Excel - 69kb)
- Successful LMCF recipients 2020-21 (Excel - 179kb)
- Successful LMCF recipients 2019-20 Pre March 2020 (Excel - 224kb)
- Successful LMCF recipients 2019-20 Post March 2020 (Excel - 105kb)
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 | 6 August 2024 |
---|---|
Applications close | 14 October 2024 |
Applicants were notified of the outcome of their submission in December 2024. |
Grant guidelines and conditions
Read the full guidelines and eligibility requirements for the Lord Mayor’s Safer Suburbs Grants.
You must submit a budget for your planned project as part of your application. Before you apply, read our budget tips and review an example budget table.
How to apply
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.
After you apply
You will receive a letter from Council letting you know whether your application was successful or unsuccessful.
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.
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.
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.
Prioritised projects
Depending on current community needs, we may prioritise certain types of projects. Where this happens, we’ll list any priorities at the start of the application form. Examples may include sports field lighting, building maintenance, increased diversity of use or participation.
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), within the current financial year. This does not apply where the organisation is acting as an auspice.
Who can apply?
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 site subject to the application (for Council community leased facilities).
Funding amount
$10,000-$200,000
Eligible projects
Option 1 – Planning and design for a proposed community facility improvement or development project
Projects may include:
- design plans
- the engagement of specialist consultants
- contaminated land investigations and/or the engagement a Suitably Qualified Person under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (Qld) for matters relating to contaminated land
- development application fees, certification fees and other elements critical to complete scoping and development of the project.
Option 2 – The construction phase of a community facility improvement, development or maintenance project
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 a specified standard
- replacement of like-for-like
- preventing further deterioration or failure
- undertaking repairs for health, safety and/or security reason.
Check your eligibility
Your project is eligible for either option if it meets one or more of the following aims:
- your project improves the quality of a community facility
- your project increases, maintains or enhances participation and community access to a community facility
- your project improves the flexibility of a community facility so it encourages the development of multiple uses, sharing and co-location.
Grant guidelines
Read the guidelines for the Lord Mayor’s Better Suburbs Grants Guidelines - Community Facility Category.
Grant open rounds
Opening date | Late August 2024 |
---|---|
Closing date | Mid October 2024 |
Notification of outcome | Mid December 2024 |
Project start date |
Late December 2024 |
How to apply
All applications are submitted via our online application system, SmartyGrants.
This will allow you to save, develop and print applications before they are submitted.
You will need to submit a budget table to support your application. Before applying, read our budget tips, including an example of a budget table.
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
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 guidelines
Read the guidelines for the Lord Mayor’s Better Suburbs Grants Guidelines - Community Support Category.
Grant open rounds
Opening date | 24 March 2025 |
---|---|
Closing date | 12 May 2025 |
Notification of outcome | Mid July 2025 |
Project start date | Late July 2025 |
How to apply
All applications are submitted via our online application system, SmartyGrants.
This will allow you to save, develop and print applications before they are submitted.
You will need to submit a budget table to support your application. Before applying, read our budget tips, including an example of a budget table.
After you apply
You will receive a letter advising whether your application was successful 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.
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
$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 guidelines
Read the guidelines for the Housing Support Program.
Grant open rounds
Opening date | 10 February 2025 |
---|---|
Closing date | 24 March 2025 |
Notification of outcome | Late May 2025 |
Project start date | 26 May 2025 |
How to apply
All applications are submitted via our online application system, SmartyGrants.
This will allow you to save, develop and print applications before they are submitted.
You will need to submit a budget table to support your application. Before applying, read our budget tips, including an example of a budget table.
After you apply
You will receive a letter advising whether your application was successful 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.
Pathways out of Homelessness Grant Program
On 15 June 2022, the Lord Mayor announced further funding for the Pathways out of Homelessness Grant Program due to the considerable benefit and positive impact achieved in supporting individuals experiencing homelessness and sustaining tenancies, under the previous 2019-2022 Pathways out of Homelessness Grant Program.
The 2022-2025 Pathways out of Homelessness Grant Program will provide $3 million over three years to bolster sector capacity, collaboration and innovation in supporting Brisbane residents at risk or experiencing homelessness.
Purpose
The program provides multi-year funding for up to three years to Brisbane-based organisations to bolster sector capacity, collaboration, innovation and demonstrated outcomes in supporting Brisbane residents experiencing or at risk of homelessness to achieve sustainable tenancies. The program will also fund enhancements to existing programs that support pathways out of homelessness.
Funding
For the Pathways out of Homelessness Grant you can apply for grant funding up to a total of $450,000 payable as agreed milestone outcomes, for up to three years.
Funding round dates
Applications for this program are currently closed.