2025-26 Volunteer Grants - EOI closes Friday, 20 March 2026

Grants of between $1,000 and up to a maximum of $5,000 are available.  Up to $66,225 (GST exclusive) is Grants are only available for items or services that directly benefit the work of the volunteers or the participation in volunteer-run activities that benefit eligible cohorts (as outlined in Section 5.1 of the guidelines).

Community organisations will need to apply under one or more of the following categories to be eligible for funding in the 2025-26 Grants round.

Category 1 – purchase communication or insurance items, as listed in the guidelines, that will benefit any of the community organisations’ volunteers.

Category 2 – (a) purchase items for the main purpose of supporting a community organisation’s volunteers or (b) purchase items that support volunteer-run activities with community organisation for the main purpose of supporting cohorts outlined in Section 5.1 of the guidelines.

 

To be eligible organisations must be:

  • A not-for-profit organisation
  • Have a minimum of 40 per cent volunteers working for your organisation
  • Have an Australian Business Number (ABN)

 What is the process?

  • Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) Application.
  • EOI Applications will be assessed by the Mitchell Volunteer Grants Committee.
  • EOI Applications close Friday, 20 March 2026.
  • All successful and unsuccessful expression of interest applicants will be notified by my office via email.
  • Successful applicants will receive an email directly from the Volunteer Grants portal inviting you to apply for funding.

Please note approval of your EOI Application does not guarantee your grant approval. Your full application will need to be assessed by the Department of Social Services.

If you are interested in applying, please contact my office for the Expression of Interest form and return a copy of the completed document to alex.hawke.mp@aph.gov.au by 5:00pm on Friday, 20 March 2026.

For a copy of the Guidelines visit Volunteer Grants Program or contact my office on (02) 9899 7211 or email alex.hawke.mp@aph.gov.au.