At a glance
- Regularly check grant catalogues, government websites, and mailing lists to identify funding opportunities as they open. Use simple tools to track these.
- Keep a short list of priority project ideas ready so you can quickly match them to suitable grants.
- Learn how to better frame you need and rationale through the grant writing tips in the relevant guide.
Is your organisation and project eligible for this grant opportunity?
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Is your organisation and project eligible for this grant opportunity?
A practical guide for local government and community organisations
Finding the right grant and preparing a strong application takes time, planning and resources. This short guide brings together reliable tools and practical advice to support council staff, community organisations and local groups seeking funding for programs, projects and initiatives.
The resources listed below can help you:
- identify grants that align with your organisation and project
- determine eligibility before investing significant time
- prepare clearer, more competitive applications.
Step 1. First check your eligibility
Before starting an application, confirm that both your organisation and your project meet the grant requirements. This simple step can save significant time and effort.
Most funding guidelines clearly outline eligibility criteria, so review these carefully before proceeding.
- Is your organisation an eligible type (e.g. council, not‑for‑profit, incorporated association)?
- Does your project align with the grant’s stated objectives and priorities?
- Are there location, timing, or partnership requirements?
- Can your organisation meet reporting, co‑contribution or delivery obligations?
Step 2: Find an appropriate grant opportunity
Finding the right grant opportunity at the right time to support a planned project can be challenging. Keeping a small list of priority projects and regularly checking grant catalogues can help you align your needs with suitable funding opportunities when they become available.
Here are some practical low-effort ways to track grant opportunities with tools suited to small local governments. community groups and local organisations.
- Use grant catalogues or mailing lists.
- Set up a simple alert
- Search and bookmark relevant categories.
- Keep a simple spreadsheet to keep track of what grant opportunities are coming up, and key deadlines. Add reminders in your calendar for key dates in your online calendar.
Grant catalogues
- The Australian Government has a searchable catalogue of government grants and programs.
- There are grant aggregator sites that collate grant opportunities but are often by subscription
- The Grants Hub is a subscription based website that collates many grant opportunities. However, you can see their grant writing tips in this blog without the need to subscribe: Ten tips for successful grant writing
Set up a simple alert
Automated alerts save time and prevent missed opportunities.
- Set up a simple alert via Google Alerts.
- Set alerts for phrases like" community grant NSW", "small grants program", "volunteer organisation funding"
- Get email alerts sent to a dedicate "Grants to review" folder so they don't' get lost.
Step 3. Keep a list of 'Project ideas"
Tracking grants works best when you already know what you want to fund. You can then best match grants to ideas. Plus you are less likely to force a grant to fit a project.
about being prepared for Windows of opportunity that you can take advantage of by being prepared with a 'third drawer' proposal.
Grant writing tips
Several organisations offer tips for writing grants:
- Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) is the lead agency responsible for disaster recovery and resilience in Queensland. They offer detailed tips in how to prepare a grant proposal that is applicable for a range of grant and funding opportunities.
- Victorian Government: This resource is mostly aimed at community groups and includes a range of resources include explanation of various aspects of grant programs.
- It includes tips on grant writing
- It also offers an excellent resource on grant terminology
- CPR Group: A consultancy that specialises in grant writing for local government offers these suggestions.
grant-writing-guide
© CPRGroup. Used with permission