Volunteer Grants 2016

Grant Category Community Development
Grant Status Closed
Delivered on behalf of
Selection process Open
State/Territory National
Closing Date/Time AEDT

2700 community organisations will benefit from $10 million in Commonwealth Government Volunteer Grants, Minister Porter announced on 1 May 2017.

Minister Porter said volunteers play a vital role in building strong, inclusive communities by helping the most disadvantaged members of our communities. These grants will make the work of nearly 100,000 volunteers easier, safer and more enjoyable.

The Volunteer Grants, of between $1000 and $5000, enable small community organisations to purchase much-needed equipment, training, transport and background screening.

Priority for these grants was given to small, volunteer-run organisations working with individuals or communities experiencing disadvantage, including communities impacted by natural disasters in the last 18 months.

Funding includes:

  • nearly $1.5 million to assist 375 organisations working in communities affected by natural disaster
  • over $700,000 to 165 Indigenous organisations
  • over $4.3 million to 1058 community organisations supporting vulnerable and new migrants and refugees.

Successful applicants

The Community Grants Hub, on behalf of the Department of Social Services (DSS), invited organisations and individuals/authorised signatories representing volunteer based community groups to apply for Volunteer Grants 2016 funding.

These grants aim to support the efforts of Australia’s volunteers. They provide small amounts of money that organisations and community groups can use to help their volunteers. They are part of the Government’s work to support the volunteers who help disadvantaged Australian communities and encourage inclusion of vulnerable people in community life.

The funding will help volunteers to do their important work, and the grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 each will allow organisations to buy much needed equipment, such as computers, or help with training volunteers, fuel costs or undertaking background security checks.

More information

More information about the Volunteer Grants 2016, as well as requirements for Applicants can be found in the following documents that form the Application Pack:

  • Program Guidelines Overview
  • Funding Round Summary (Information for Applicants)
  • PDF ‘Demonstration Application Form’ for Organisations shows all the questions without having to move between tabs/screens. Please note – the PDF ‘Demonstration Application form’ is for demonstration purposes only and cannot be used to apply for funding. A completed PDF ‘Demonstration Application form’ will not be accepted.
  • PDF ‘Demonstration Application Form’ for Individuals shows all the questions without having to move between tabs/screens. Please note – the PDF ‘Demonstration Application form’ is for demonstration purposes only and cannot be used to apply for funding. A completed PDF ‘Demonstration Application form’ will not be accepted.
  • Questions and Answers may be updated throughout the application open period where any question addressed raises new information. The question and answer period will close at 5:00pm AEDT Tuesday, 13 December 2016 to ensure answers to questions can be published before the application closing date. No further questions will be answered from this date until the conclusion of the selection process.
  • Letter of Offer – Terms and Conditions

Subscribe to receive updates

Organisations and individuals interested in Department of Social Services grant rounds are encouraged to subscribe to receive alerts when new information is made available.

Contacting the Community Grants Hub

If you require assistance please call the Community Grants Hub Hotline on 1800 020 283 and/or grants@dss.gov.au.

Please quote the following number 2016-593 – Volunteer Grants 2016 when you phone or email the Community Grants Hub.