2025/2026 Annual Community Grants

The 2025 Annual Community Grants Round will have two streams:

1. Local Impact Grants: Up to $15,000 to support organisations to deliver activities, events, programs and services that support positive social and environmental change in the Northern Rivers, or build the capacity of organisations to deliver outcomes (e.g. staff training, project management support) 
2. Community Infrastructure Fund: Up to $15,000 to support organisations to purchase assets and other infrastructure to enable more connected and inclusive regional communities. 

Organisation Type:

Any not-for-profit group or charitable organisation that is: 

• Registered with the ACNC and/or
• Incorporated as an Association with NSW Fair Trading AND
• Holds DGR-1 tax status; OR can nominate a DGR-1 auspice to receive the funds on their behalf 

 Notes:  

• Applicants who do not already have a relationship with a DGR-1 auspice will be supported to identify and auspice organisation. Please contact us ahead of time to discuss your specific circumstances. 

• NRCF cannot fund applications from businesses, including companies or sole traders, even if they are not generating a profit.

Gross Revenue Limit:

• An annual gross revenue of less than $5M.

Location:

NRCF supports: 

• Organisations based in the 7 LGAs of the Northern Rivers (Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley, Clarence Valley, Ballina, Byron and Tweed); OR 
• Organisations based outside the Northern Rivers that demonstrate local governance through a board or committee based in the Northern Rivers; OR 
• Organisations based outside the Northern Rivers that are working in partnership with a local organisation to implement a program or service (priority will be given to a local applicant where the project is substantively similar) 

Other:

In addition to the above criteria, applications involving capital works must have: 

• the necessary development approval at the time of application (e.g. Development Application or Exempt and Complying Development Certificate). In some cases applicants who have lodged documentation for approval and expect to receive approval before the project begins will be accepted. 

• Where the applicant is not the owner of the building/land, written approval from the owner. 

NRCF can fund projects that:
• Deliver activities, events, programs and services
• Purchase equipment and materials
• Provide community infrastructure
• Strengthen and build capacity of your organisation to deliver outcomes

NRCF cannot fund projects that:
• Request 100% of project resourcing. The project budget must include in-kind support, volunteer hours, and/or other funding
• Promote religion or a political party
• Duplicate a project already being run by another organisation in your local area

All eligible grants are assessed by a panel of community representatives and NRCF board members, who are knowledgeable and experienced in relevant local issues and grant giving. Grants will be assessed on criteria including:  

1. Demonstrates Need: The application clearly demonstrates evidence of the need for the project in the community, preferably with localised data (e.g. statistics or administrative data) 
2. Measurable Outcomes: This project demonstrates clear, relevant and achievable outcomes that fulfil the identified need.
3. Value for Money: Is NRCF achieving value for money by supporting this project, as determined by comparing the project's activities, outputs and outcomes with the budget allocated?
4. Organisational Capacity: Does the applicant organisation demonstrate capacity to deliver the project (e.g. in terms of prior expertise, relationships etc.)? 
5. Project Sustainability: Will the project contribute to the organisation’s overall sustainability and/or does the project include a pathway towards ongoing sustainability.

Evaluation Criteria is subject to change without notice.

organisation and the experience you have in the field related to the project.

Our friendly grants team will support you with your application before it goes to the assessment panel. We will support you to make sure you have the right documents uploaded and we may ask for clarification about your project. Talk to us early and we may be able to help you resolve any challenges. Learn more about NRCF here: https://nrcf.org.au/about/

If you have any questions about the Community Grants Program, please contact Mel on 0499 862 886 or grants@nrcf.org.au (Monday to Thursday)