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Applying for a grant

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Learn about the steps to apply for a grant. Find tips and resources to improve your application.

About grants and other funding

Council’s grants provide financial support for local community clubs, societies and non-profit organisations to improve their services and facilities. 

We also offer grants to local creatives, historical projects, and people and organisations working on environment and sustainability projects in Brisbane.

Other types of funding include donations to senior groups and sponsorships.

For more information about our approach to providing grants to community organisations, read our Community Grants Policy.

Navigating grants for small business

Join us for a practical, skills-focused workshop to help you navigate the world of grants. Book to reserve your place.

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A woman speaking to an audience seated in chairs at the Suburban Business Hub.

What grants and funding does Council have available?

Council has partnered with Bloomberg Philanthropies to deliver the Youth Climate Action Fund. Supporting youth-led projects that address the city’s climate priorities.

From July 15, we will be calling for young Brisbane residents to apply for small grants. Successful applicants will receive ongoing support to implement their ideas.

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

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

These grants help to fund projects that benefit Brisbane's natural environment. They also support caring for local habitat, community gardens and wildlife.

Our Creative and History Grants help local artists, performers and historians to develop and showcase their work.

These grants support Brisbane’s artistic and cultural sectors by nurturing and promoting creativity. 

Creative and history grants include: 

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

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.

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

Check your eligibility and how to apply for the donation.

The Pathways out of Homelessness Program gives multi-year funding for up to 3 years to Brisbane organisations helping those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

The program also funds enhancements to existing programs that support pathways out of homelessness.

Free Funding Finder tool

Search for grants and funding opportunities from organisations across Australia using Council's free Funding Finder tool.

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Funding finder

How to apply for a grant

Follow our step-by-step process to apply for a grant.

1 Search for grants

Look for grant programs on Council’s website or using Funding Finder.

2 Check your eligibility

Ensure that both you and your project are eligible for the grant. You can find a summary of eligibility criteria on the page specific to each grant. Make sure you read the full guidelines to confirm eligibility.

3 Find out if the grant is open

Check the opening/closing application dates for your chosen grant. 

If the grant isn't open, you can:

4 Write and 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.

Before you start writing your grant application, make sure you understand the assessment criteria. You can also use our tips and resources to help write your application.

Grant application tips

Use the following resources to write a good grant application.

  • Read Funding Finder’s top tips.
  • Watch Funding Finder’s how-to videos.
  • Watch the grant writing webinar.
  • Watch video stories from previous successful applicants:
  • View budget tips, read examples and attend information sessions for Council grants (this information is available on the relevant grant pages).
  • Always review the specific grant guidelines and attach supporting documents.

Questions? Phone Council on 07 3403 8888.

Stay informed

Sign up to Council's registers to stay updated about our Community, Creative and History Grants.

  • Join the Community Grants Register to receive updates about our community grants, including opening dates.
  • Sign up to the Creative Register for updates about our arts programs and opportunities for Brisbane’s creative sector, including Creative and History Grants.

Frequently asked questions

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

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

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

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.