Growing Regions Program
The program guidelines are now available for eligible applicants to start preparing expressions of interest. Further information on the application process, including application forms, will be provided when Round 1 opens on 5 July 2023.
The Growing Regions Program provides grants of between $500,000 and $15 million to local government entities and not-for-profit organisations, for capital works projects that deliver community and economic infrastructure projects across regional and rural Australia.
The program is open competitive with grants awarded on a merit basis.
There will be a two-stage application process. Under Stage One, applicants will be required to submit Expressions of Interest which will be assessed to ensure projects meet eligibility requirements, project readiness and program suitability, and are aligned with regional priorities for the area.
Expressions of Interest that are assessed as meeting requirements and approved to proceed will be invited to submit a full application (Stage Two).
Funding rounds
Round 1 will open for expressions of interest on 5 July 2023, with $300 million available to support capital works projects for community and economic infrastructure across regional and rural areas.
Guidelines and program information will also be available on GrantConnect and at business.gov.au
Supporting documentation
- Growing Regions Program Round 1 Guidelines (Revised) – sub-section 4.1 of the guidelines previously released on 6 May 2023 has been updated to clarify the eligibility of incorporated not-for-profit organisations and Alpine Resorts Victoria. Accordingly, sub-section 4.3 has been updated to remove Resort Management Boards as an organisation not eligible to apply. For information on who is eligible to apply please see section 4 of the attached guidelines and visit GrantConnect to view the Addenda outlining the reason for the change.
- Growing Regions Program Minister’s media release
- Program eligibility mapping tool
- Roundtable report – early engagement on the Growing Regions Program – March 2023
- Fact sheet
Crown Reserves Improvement Fund (CRIF)
The Crown Reserves Improvement Fund (CRIF) supports Crown land managers (CLMs) by providing funding for repairs, maintenance and improvements on Crown reserves. The funding aims to benefit the community, boost our economy and contribute to the cultural, sporting and recreational life of NSW.
The CRIF is a self-sustaining program that is supported by income generated from loan repayments and interest, leases and licences on Crown land, and levies from the operation of coastal Crown caravan parks.
CRIF 2023/24 update
The department is currently updating its grant application software in preparation for the FY2023/24 CRIF round. It is expected that that this year's funding round in will open in September 2023. Successful grant recipients for this year's round can expect to receive funding in early 2024. Updates on key dates will be noted on this page.
If you are planning to apply for this year’s funding round, we encourage you to start gathering quotes and supporting documentation for a grant application.
To be eligible to apply, the Crown land manager must have no overdue CRIF final project report/s for funding received in prior years. Final project reports are due within 14 months of the date the grant/loan funds were credited to the CLM's account. Download the latest report template.
CRIF 2022-23 funding round outcomes
All successful Crown land managers and unsuccessful applicants have now been advised.
The CRIF 2022-23 offered funding for 267 projects totalling $17.947m to maintain and upgrade facilities and reserves on government-owned land. The funding provided will continue to benefit our community, boost our economy and contribute to the cultural, sporting and recreational life of our region.
Further detail of executed agreements as at 1 March 2023 can be found in the attached file CRIF FY2022-23 Outcomes as of 19 Jun 2023 (Excel spreadsheet).
Drought Stimulus-Country Shows Sponsorship Packages (This grant is currently onhold due to COVID-19)
https://www.nsw.gov.au/drought-stimulus-package/country-show-sponsorship-packages
Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) has been connecting rural Australia and philanthropy since 2000.
The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) is a not-for-profit organisation that harnesses the power of collective investment between government, business and philanthropy to improve the lives of those living in rural, regional and remote Australia.
FRRR is the only national organisation offering small, discretionary funds to small regional communities across Australia. They are both a grant maker and a grant seeker - distributing funds through a number of programs for the benefit of rural and regional Australia. They play a critical role as a connector, working across the philanthropic sector as a conduit for philanthropy to rural communities. They work hard to identify the ways that philanthropy can best support communities – cutting out the noise and deepening the focus to understand what will really make a difference.
TIPS on Writing Great Grants from
https://www.frrr.org.au/writing_great_applications
Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) - Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC)
Small & Vital stream allows small remote, rural and regional communities across Australia to access funds for a broad range of initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities.
Grants up to $10,000 are available for a broad range of grassroots, community-led initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities that strengthen local people, places and climate solutions, with a preference for smaller communities (populations under 15,000).
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and assessed quarterly.
Round 18 applications close 5pm VIC time (AEST) 31 August 2023
Funding announced by late November 2023
https://frrr.org.au/funding/place/src-small-vital/?fbclid=IwAR0t9VK9H3KAj59lapyaWFDUSIwfHXckfLP_Sd898HSGz_W0qMUYtEDypyE
GrantConnect provides centralised publication of forecast and current Australian Government grant opportunities and grants awarded
The Funding Centre is a resource platform for not for profit organisations
https://www.fundingcentre.com.au/
https://www.fundingcentre.com.au/help/grantseeking-basics
Indigo Gold -
You can sign up for Free General Grant List which shows all grants greater than $10,000
