Empowering Women and Girls Grant

Which organisations are eligible? 

There are four basic criteria for being eligible for the Empowering Women and Girls grant: 

Locally based: The grant supports not-for-profit community organisations working within the 7 LGAs of the Northern Rivers (Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley, Clarence Valley, Ballina, Byron and Tweed).  

Locally governed: The implementing organisation demonstrates local government, through a board or committee based in the Northern Rivers. 

Women-Centred: The organisation is informed by women and women’s organisations, including lived experience and technical expertise (e.g. in the form of a partnership or endorsement)

Not-for-profit: NRCF can only grant funds to organisations holding Deductible Gift Recipient 1 (DGR1) status. 

Note: If you do not have DGR1 status (e.g. you are an Incorporated Association without DGR1) then you should look for a DGR1 organisation to accept the funds of your behalf (also known as an “auspice”). If you would like NRCF’s help with this, please let us know in the appropriate question in the application.  

Which projects are eligible? 

The program is specifically focused on addressing inequality among vulnerable and marginalised cohorts of women or those who experience the compounding burden of intersectional disadvantage and discrimination, including: 

• First Nations women 
• LGBTIQ+ women 
• Young women and girls 
• Women living with disability 
• Refugee and migrant women 
• Rural women 
• Women experiencing homelessness and housing stress 
• Single mothers 
• Women experiencing income inequality, including those in low-paid professions (childcare workers, aged care workers etc.) 
• Older women 
• Victims and survivors of gender-based violence 

Applications are encouraged for new projects or existing projects looking to pivot, scale or build their evidence base. Organisations may also apply for funding to enable existing projects operating elsewhere to expand into the Northern Rivers.  

Examples of eligible projects include those that:   

• Prevent and respond to violence against women (e.g. respectful relationships behaviour change programs) 
• Support survivors of violence (e.g. crisis support for women leaving violence)  
• Recognise and celebrate women’s achievements (e.g. events and awards programs, noting that the grant cannot be used to fund prizes) 
• Address social isolation and expand social networks (e.g. women’s support groups) 
• Raise awareness about issues affecting women and girls (e.g. arts installations or productions) 
• Developing the leadership capacity of women and girls so that they can play a bigger role in their communities (e.g. leadership programs) 
• Supporting women’s financial independence by creating or promoting diverse and flexible job opportunities or better work conditions for women. 
• Improving mental and physical health outcomes for women and their children (e.g. improving access to antenatal or postnatal care or raise awareness of conditions affecting women and girls). 
• Promote gender diversity and inclusive communities, including addressing discrimination and stigma (e.g. projects that combat ageism, transphobia, racism). 

Examples of things that the grant can be used for: 

• Deliver activities, events, programs and services 
• Purchase equipment and materials 
• The purchase of assets and infrastructure for the community 
• Strengthen and build capacity of your organisation to deliver outcomes (e.g. conduct research or develop monitoring and evaluation frameworks) 

Examples of things that the grant cannot be used for: 

• An ongoing source of funding for existing programs and services.  
• One-off emergency relief assistance 
• Prizes, trophies or other gifts 
• Projects whose main objective is to fundraise for another organisation 
• Projects that do not include a contribution (either cash or in-kind, e.g. volunteer hours) 
• The promotion of a religion, political party or business 
• Programs that exclude people based on their race, sex, gender, religious affiliation or for other reasons, unless justified (e.g. it is required to create a safe space) 

Projects must be fully implemented by the end of 2025. 
 

How much can we apply for? 

There is a total pool of $50,000. Previous grants under this program have been between $5,000 and $35,000.

We recommend a maximum funding request of $35,000. Your project should also be supported by other in-kind, volunteer, and/or funding contributions.

While we will do our best to support the amount required, NRCF may offer successful applications less money than they applied for, so it is recommended that applicants consider how their project could be scaled down if necessary. 

NRCF only accepts one application per group/organisation. 

Making an application 

Applications are only accepted online via our grant portal. 

You can preview the application form here. You can save your application and return to it at any time, or you may choose to prepare it offline and copy and paste the answers into the online form. 

All eligible applications are assessed by a panel of community representatives and NRCF board members, who are knowledgeable and experienced in relevant local issues and grant giving.  

 
What happens if I am successful? 

We will let you know the outcome of your application by mid-August.  

If you are selected to attend the Women’s Giving Circle Pitch Night, you will be offered the support of a mentor, who can help you prepare your pitch.  

If you don’t feel like you need support from a mentor then you can opt-out without affecting your eligibility, however our previous experience has shown that applicants that work with a mentor are more likely to have their project funded at Pitch Night. 

Finalists are required to attend the Women’s Giving Circle Pitch Night on 12 September 2024. This is an event where you will pitch your project in the supportive space of the Women’s Circle, and the women who fund the grant will vote on a winning project.   

If your project is successful, we will partner with you through a Grant Funding Agreement. This will cover key details including use of grant funds and reporting requirements. If your organisation is auspiced, the sponsor will also need to sign the agreement, and grant funds will be paid to the auspicing organisation.  

What happens if I am unsuccessful? 

Our grants rounds can be competitive, and we recognise that there is a huge need in our community with a limited pool of funds to grant.  

If you are unsuccessful, you will have the opportunity to receive feedback on your application and project from NRCF, based on the Committee’s evaluation of your application.   

If you project is eligible for NRCF’s 2024-2025 Community Grants Round (which opens in September 2024) you will be considered for this grant without having to submit another application.