Grants Hub

There are many potential sources of grants or funding for community projects.  These include; government funding (state and federal), private philanthropic organisations and even private companies who may offer sponsorship. To get you started on your grants journey click on the category below that matches your project and have a browse. If you are unsure about which category is a match contact our grants officers for some advice. 

Please note - Council does not provide funding to individuals. Twice a year applications are taken for Council's Community Funding Program. Click here for more information.

Grants Officer

Forbes Shire Council has a Grants Officer available to assist residents in finding and preparing grant applications. The Grants Officer can not only assist you to find a funding source but can give you some great tips on giving yourself the best chance of success.  Hint – number one is about committing to planning your project well before you start to even think about how you are going to pay for it!

To learn more about the grants available and other great tips make an appointment to discuss by contacting Council 02 6850 2300 or email grants@forbes.nsw.gov.au

 

Monthly Grants Newsletter - The Grants Feed

Sign up to our Monthly Newsletter "The Grants Feed" here.

Community

These grants provide small amounts of money that organisations and community groups can use to help their volunteers. The grants form part of the State and Federal Government's work to support volunteers, as well as to encourage and increase participation in volunteering.

 
31 October 2024 Evolution Mining Northparkes has two Community Investment Program rounds each year with $50,000 awarded to successful applicants each round – that’s a total of $100,000 in funding. Applications are accepted year-round and are reviewed after the closing dates of 30 April and 31 October each year. They support initiatives which contribute to the Parkes and Forbes local government areas in the following categories: economic development, culture and recreation, education and youth, environment and health.
 Closes Grant Description
Ongoing Grants & Funding NSW Government Find a government initiative, grant or funding program to help support your business, your project or your community.
 Ongoing Strengthening Rural Communities - Prepare and Recover

The Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) Prepare & Recover program supports communities in remote, rural and regional communities across Australia to implement initiatives that prevent and prepare for future climate related impacts, or recover from existing disasters through the medium to long term process.

Grants up to $25,000 are available for a broad range of initiatives that focus on community-led resilience building in recovery or preparedness to strengthen the capacity and  capability of local people and systems, especially to manage the impact of future disasters.

Projects that focus on strengthening local inclusion, networks, communication, information sharing, self-organising systems, local decision making, resourcing, tools and support will be prioritised.

Demonstration of project need must reference a specific climate impact or event, either historic or likely to occur in the future.

Ongoing IOOF Foundation  Community Grant

The IOOF Foundation provides grants that support Australian not-for-profit organisations working with disadvantaged families, children and youth. The general grant program is for funding on average for $75,000 per year for up to two years. Please ensure you provide as much budget information as possible to enable us to evaluate the grant amount requested against funds available to distribute. Whilst our initial general grants are on average $75,000, we do have current grants ranging from $10,000 - $150,000 pa.

Ongoing CFC Foundation Community Grants

The Foundation is responsive to requests that contribute to increasing access to opportunities and is dedicated to supporting charities, non-profit organisations, and social enterprises that work within the four primary focus areas:

  • Education
  • Medical Research & Health
  • Disadvantage Youth
  • Arts & Culture
 Ongoing EV Fleets Incentive - Kickstart Funding

The EV fleets incentive is a payment scheme that helps eligible organisations procure battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and smart chargers. The funding is designed to cover part of the total cost of ownership (TCO) gap between a BEV and an equivalent internal combustion engine vehicle (ICEV), hybrid electric (HEV) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).  

Eligible applicants to the kick-start funding include:

  • any organisation that operates a fleet of at least 3 vehicles (ICE vehicles or hybrid, or PHEV, or BEV) in NSW to support their operations or
  • any organisation or individual that owns at least one licensed taxi in NSW.

Organisations can apply to kick-start funding for a maximum of 10 vehicles and smart charging ports total across all rounds.

 Ongoing Inland Rail Community Grants Program Funding will be available to short-term projects and activities that contribute to local and regional prosperity, wellbeing and sustainability, such as upgrading community facilities and equipment, implementing unique STEM project in schools, mentoring and developing local business communities and hosting community events.
21 April 2025 2025 NAIDOC Grants Program

Aboriginal Affairs NSW supports NAIDOC events and activities across NSW, to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through an open and competitive grant funding opportunity.

The Objective of the 2025 NAIDOC Grants Program is to support events and activities in NSW marking NAIDOC week that:

  • Celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements.
  • Align with the theme of NAIDOC Week in 2025 - The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy
  • Promote a greater awareness and understanding of Aboriginal history and/or culture within the broader local or regional community.
26 April 2025 National Science Week School Grants

The Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA), with funding assistance from the Australian Government, provides grants for school-initiated National Science Week activities.

These grants are available to ALL Australian schools (preschools to senior secondary) who complete a valid application. All applications and the amounts awarded are judged by their comparative merit.The grants are designed to support teachers and schools deliver engaging STEM events and activities that align with the National Science Week vision. They are intended to be a contribution to the running of a National Science Week activity or event in a school not the sole means of support.

  • Develop a great idea for a suitable program and work out all your costs
  • Apply for a small grant up to $500 towards your activity
  • Conduct a STEM-related activity or event during National Science Week
  • Focus on the impact STEM has on our lives, our economy, our society and our world
  • Involve your class to your whole school and even your neighbouring school/s and wider community
  • The application process in online
27 April 2025 Rheem Apprentice Plumber Grants

The Rheem Apprentice Plumber Grants program was founded with the purpose to ease the financial pressure faced by apprentice plumbers. Rheem is passionate about investing in the skills and training of industry newcomers and the grants are Rheem’s way of thanking the Australian plumbing industry for its ongoing support.

This year, 20 grants worth $3,000 each will be awarded to deserving apprentices across the country. Each grant includes $2,000 to go towards TAFE/RTO fees and textbooks, a $1,000 tool voucher, plus a tote tool bag.

09 May 2025 Community Native Fish Stocking Program The community native fish stocking grants program provides two dollars in funds for every one dollar in funds offered by community groups to stock native fish (Australian Bass, Murray Cod, Golden Perch) into rivers and dams across NSW.  The objectives of the program are to support local communities in the stocking of high value native fish to protect and enhance our valuable state-wide recreational fisheries. The program also supports the development of regional aquaculture ventures which produce high quality fish stock for release into public waters to benefit recreational fishers.
15 May 2025  Community Giving Project

The project supports initiatives that provide sustainable, tangible and long-term benefits with positive outcomes for Australian rural, regional and remote communities. In turn this builds capacity, longevity, liveability and connection in the regions in which we operate.

Structured across six distinct pillars (referred to as the 'Community Giving Project Pillars') with a focus on sustainability, innovation, wellbeing, diversity, and safety, Elders will offer grants up to $20,000. There is a seventh pillar called the People's Choice, which will offer two additional grants of up to $10,000 each.

 24 June 2025   Strengthening Rural Communities - Small & Vital

The Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) Small & Vital stream gives small remote, rural and regional communities across Australia the opportunity to access funds for a broad range of initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities.

There are two tiers of Small & Vital funding available:

Small 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). The timeframe to deliver these projects is up to 12 months.

Targeted larger leverage grants up to $50,000 are available for projects that focus on strengthening the digital skills, confidence and safety of adults enabling them to get online, build social connections, and access services, information, education and employment through training, as well as acquiring the digital and connectivity infrastructure where needed. The timeframe to deliver these projects is up to 18 months.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and assessed quarterly. 

30 June 2025  Boating Infrastructure Emergency Repair Pool  The NSW Boating Infrastructure Emergency Repair Pool (BIERP) grants provide funding to local councils and organisations to repair, replace, or improve public boating infrastructure damaged by natural disasters or severe weather events.

The types of projects that will be considered for funding under the BIERP are summarised below:

  • Repair or replacement: the reinstatement of the infrastructure asset to its working condition prior to the natural disaster or severe weather event.
  • Betterment: minor changes to replacement design that improves resilience of the asset against future natural disasters or severe weather events.
  • Access for repair and reinstatement: Work to provide access for repair, replacement and betterment can be funded if it is directly related to the above works. For example, the removal of a collapsed tree across a jetty to gain access to repair the pontoon at the end of the jetty
31 July 2025 Community Funding Program

 This program provides financial and in-kind support to encourage and assist community groups and organisations to make a positive and ongoing contribution to the community’s wellbeing, cultural life and environmental sustainability.

The Community Funding Program is open twice annually and a total of $150,000 is available across two rounds for projects (including programs, activities, events and capital works) in four categories:

  • Sport and Recreation;
  • Culture and the Arts;
  • Community Services; and
  • Rural Village Enhancement.

Not-for-profit community groups and organisations can access up to $5,000 in assistance for each project as either a cash contribution, in-kind support, or a combination of both.

 05 February 2026 Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program 

The objective of the program is to commemorate the service and sacrifice of Australia's service personnel who served in wars, conflicts and peace operations, including National Service personnel, and their families.

The intended outcome of the program is to provide funding for projects and activities that:

  • promote appreciation and understanding of the experiences of service, and the role of service personnel
  • preserve, add to the sum of knowledge on, or provide access to information about Australia’s wartime heritage.

There are 2 categories of grants available under the program:

1. Community Grants (STS-CG)Grants up to $10,000 are available for local, community-based projects and activities.

2. Major Grants (STS- MG) Grants between $10,001 and $150,000 are available for major commemorative projects and activities that are significant from a national, state, territory and/or broader regional perspective.

01 July 2026 Resilient Homes Program - Central West

The Resilient Homes Program helps communities recover from disasters. It also makes eligible homes in high-risk areas more resilient to the impacts of future disasters. This program is being delivered by the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA).

What help can I get?

  • Home Buyback – a buyback of the property whereby the homeowner receives a payment for the purchase of the property
  • Home Raising  – a grant payment of up to $100,000 including GST towards the cost of elevating the liveable areas of the home and associated consequential works
  • Home Rebuild – a grant payment of up to $100,000 including GST towards the cost of rebuilding a more resilient home where the property was destroyed or uninhabitable
  • Home Relocation – a grant of up to $100,000 including GST to help homeowners relocate their current home to a safer location on their property, or to another property in the region
  • Home Retrofit – a grant payment up to $50,000 including GST towards the cost of retrofitting and/or repair work of on the home to incorporate flood resilient design and materials in eligible areas.

Where the estimated costs for the Resilient Measures (i.e. Home Raising, Home Rebuild, Home Relocation and Home Retrofit) is more than the available grant value, RA will match financial contributions provided by the homeowner for eligible activities (co-contribution) up to a maximum of 100% of the available grant value.

 The maximum for a single home is:

  • Home Raising or Home Rebuild - $100,000 including GST plus $100,000 in co-contribution up to the maximum grant value of $200,000 in total including GST.
  • Home Retrofit - $50,000 including GST plus $50,000 in co-contribution up to a maximum grant value of $100,000 in total. 

Free Home Assessments are also available for homeowners who may be eligible for Resilient Measures. In the Central West, homeowners within the Home Assessment stream will also eligible for a Home Assessment.  

 

Sports

Various grants are available for encouraging sporting pursuits of all ages. They can provide funds to buy equipment and uniforms through to infrastructure and maintenance of grounds.

 Closes Grant Description
30 April 2025 Local Sporting Champions program

The Local Sporting Champions program provides financial assistance for coaches, officials and competitors aged 12-18 participating in state, national or international championships.

If successful, applicants will receive $500-$750 towards the cost of attending their championships

  • Base Grant: $500
  • Applicants travelling 800km - 1999km to their nominated championships: + $100
  • Applicants travelling internationally or greater than 2000km to their nominated championships: + $200
  • Applicants residing in a rural electorate: + $50

 

24 July 2025 Telstra Footy Country Grants

The Telstra Footy Country Grants is designed to financially assist initiatives that can support Community Clubs affiliated to the AFL to strengthen the base and secure the future in three key strategic areas.

  • Grow and assist volunteer capacity.
  • Grow and diversify participation.
  • Improve club environments and experiences.

Whether it's upgrading to an electronic scoreboard, upskilling volunteers or introducing new initiatives to attract more participants, Telstra Footy Country Grants aims to provide tangible support for clubs and alleviate the challenges they may face.

Applications will open on Monday 2nd December 2024. The following dates will represent a cut off for when applications are considered. For example, if you were to miss Round 1, you can still apply; however, the outcome of your application won't be known until after the Round 2 closure date.

  • Round 1:Monday 2nd December 2024 to 11:59pm (AEDT) Sunday 2nd February 2025
  • Round 2:Monday 3rd February to 11:59pm (AEST) Thursday 3rd April 2025
  • Round 3:Friday 4th April to 11:59pm (AEST) Sunday 25th May 2025
  • Round 4:Monday 26th May 2025 to 5pm (AEST) Thursday 24th July 2025

 

Arts

Art Grants offer support to artists in all fields of the arts to support them in creating their work, and free them up to concentrate on creating. These grants can cover all forms of the Arts including performance, collaborations, productions, publishing, recording and creative development.

 Closes Grant Description
Ongoing Quick response Grant NSW

Quick Response Grants offer funding for regional artists, arts organisations and communities to respond to unique arts opportunities that present themselves at very short notice.

You can apply for Quick Response Grants up to $3,000 for individuals and $5,000 for organisations. There is no minimum grant amount. Assessors will make decisions around funding allocated to successful applicants, taking into consideration the quantum of funds available in the individual state/territory. In exceptional circumstances, applicants located in very remote areas may be permitted to apply for larger grants.

Please note:  There are no rounds in December and January.

Ongoing Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups

 Up to $50,000 for a range of activities and projects, both national and international, across all art forms.

This program funds a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public, including national and international audiences and communities. Grants are available from $10,000 to $50,000.

Supported activities must not last longer than two years from the proposed start date. If you need advice about applying, contact an Artists Services Officer.

30 April 2025 Next Steps - Professional Development

This funding focuses on professional development for individual artists, arts and cultural workers to enable participation in skills development opportunities, workshops, courses and creative sector conferences and networking events. 

In response to Creative Communities, the NSW arts, culture and creative industries policy, the purpose of this funding is to strengthen communities though equitable access to vibrant arts and cultural experiences. 

This funding will:  

  • enable career development for artists and arts and cultural workers
  • support opportunities that develop cultural leadership capacities, skills and knowledge
  • promote professional networking and collaboration
  • encourage personal wellbeing and resilience

 

Environment

Environmental Grants can support community groups undertaking projects that will make a positive difference to the natural living environment, on land or in air, rural or urban. We will direct organisations and individuals to the right support grants available.

 

 Closes Grant Title
Description
Ongoing Small Environment Grants

Wettenhall Environment Trust are providing support for people undertaking projects that will make a positive difference to the natural living environment, in land, sea or air, rural or urban. The Trust support grassroots organisations and individuals, and academics who are working with on-ground community groups. The Trust are looking for projects around about flora and fauna conservation around Australia. These projects should involve any of the following: monitoring, recording and sharing data; delivering community education; providing community capacity building (e.g. training); research and science. 

Grants are usually under $10,000. Wettenhall also grants on behalf of donors, and sometimes these programs can be over $10,000. If you have a project over $10,000, check with the Executive Director. Universities and academics can only apply for up to $5,000.



 

 

Agriculture

Funding, grants and assistance for agriculture industries can be found here.

Closes
Grant Description
Ongoing Drought Ready and Resilient Fund

The NSW Government has committed $250 million to establish the Drought Ready and Resilient Fund, an initiative designed to bolster the resilience of NSW farmers to future adverse weather events and climatic conditions, such as drought. Through the Drought Ready and Resilient Fund, eligible primary producers can access a low interest loan up to $250,000 to help prepare for, manage and recover from drought. The loan can be used for products, activities and services relating to animal welfare, farm preparedness, income diversification, environmental improvements as well as training and business development. The Drought Ready and Resilient Fund loan facility has been designed to complement the existing Drought Infrastructure Fund loan product, formerly known as the Farm Innovation Fund.  (See Drought Infrastructure Fund hereThe current interest rate for Drought Ready and Resilient Fund loans is: 5.10% per annum for a 5-year loan; 5.60% per annum for a 10-year loan

Customers will be provided with an indicative interest rate at the point of application, however the rate applied to the loan will not be determined until the date of first drawn down.  The interest rate applied to the loan is fixed for the term of the loan. Applications are now open and will continue to be accepted until program funding is exhausted.

 Ongoing One-off Community Assistance - Primary Producers

Rural Aid provides critical support of farmers and rural communities suffering the effects of drought, flood, fire or natural disaster.

If you're a farming family in need of help, please let us know. If you know a farming family that needs help, tell them about this campaign.

Upon successful completion of the registration form, please contact the Rural Aid team on 1300 327 624 during business hours. A member of our friendly team will then verify your registration details and help guide you through your application for the assistance.

You must contact Rural Aid following your online or postal registration. Dependent on the farmer's eligibility and current situation, Rural Aid's assistance includes fodder supplies, domestic water, counselling services and more.

16 May 2025 Nuffield Australia Farming Scholarships

Nuffield Australia awards scholarships each year to primary producers in Australia, for travel and research around the world.

Each scholarship is valued at $40,000 and open to Australian citizens or permanent residents directly involved in food and fibre production typically aged between 28 and 45. The bursary allows scholars to travel overseas both individually and in small groups.

Eight to 12 scholars from Australia and other Nuffield countries spend five weeks travelling together in up to six countries, literally making their way around the world as agricultural explorers: visiting farms, corporate agribusinesses, research facilities, government institutions and culturally stimulating environments. For many scholars, the GFP is the accelerator experience of their Nuffield travels, broadening horizons, cementing global friendships, and is a unique chance to understand other cultures and countries on a deeper level.

27 June 2025 Off-farm Efficiency Program - Water The Australian Government’s Off-farm Efficiency Program is an initiative to upgrade water infrastructure to reduce water losses and increase water available for the environment. Projects funded under the program will provide long-term benefits through improved water infrastructure and reduced water losses. Water users and the community will also benefit from increased water reliability and the creation of job opportunities.

 

 

Emergency Assistance

Funding, grants and assistance for those affected by natural disaster can be found here: Support and Assistance 

Business

Funding, grants and assistance for businesses can be found here.

 Closes Grant Description
Ongoing SafeWork Small Business Rebate If you are a small business owner in NSW, this $1,000 rebate will help you purchase safety items to improve work health and safety for you and your workers. This program is administered by SafeWork NSW.
Ongoing First Nations Tourism Mentoring Program

The FNTMP can support you to grow your tourism business by connecting you with expert advice, tailored learning and access to culturally respectful industry specialists. If you are a First Nations tourism business and you have aspirations to grow, the FNTMP will give you access to free one-on-one mentoring, delivered in a way which suits your needs. 

The FNTMP can support you to grow your tourism business by: connecting you with industry professionals who can provide free, one-on-one advice; and culturally respectful support; providing access to a suite of learning supports and resources developed for and tailored to the First Nations tourism sector.

The mentoring will be delivered by industry specialists who have: tourism industry knowledge and experience including understanding of local tourism opportunities; experience working in a culturally appropriate and respectful manner with First Nations businesses and/or communities; previous experience providing business advice and support (including mentoring) and/or owning and operating a business.

It is a flexible program and the mentoring will be a mixture of face to face and online as preferred. Mentees will have an initial, one-on-one meeting with their mentor to discuss the current state of their business, their goals and objectives and to agree on the duration and frequency of mentoring as per the table below. 

Ongoing
Small Business Skills and Training Boost Through the Australian Taxation Office, this initiative provides small businesses with a bonus tax deduction to help them train new staff and upskill existing staff. Small businesses with an aggregated annual turnover of less than $50 million will be allowed an additional 20% tax deduction for external training courses delivered to employees by registered training providers. The boost applies to eligible expenditure incurred from 7:30 pm AEDT on 29 March 2022 until 30 June 2024. The expenditure must be: for the provision of training to employees of your business, either in-person in Australia, or online; charged, directly or indirectly, by a registered external training provider that is not you or an associate of yours; already deductible for your business under taxation law; incurred within a specified period (between 7:30 pm AEDT or by legal time in the ACT on 29 March 2022 and 30 June 2024).
Ongoing Small Business Technology Investment Boost This initiative allows small businesses to claim a 20% bonus deduction on technology expenditure to help digitise their business. Small businesses with an aggregated annual turnover of less than $50 million will be allowed an additional 20% tax deduction to support their digital operations and digitise their operations. The boost applies to eligible expenditure incurred between 7:30 pm AEDT on 29 March 2022 and 30 June 2023. The boost is for business expenses and depreciating assets and is capped at $100,000 of expenditure per income year. You can receive a maximum bonus deduction of $20,000 per income year. Eligible expenditure includes, but is not limited to: digital enabling items – computer and telecommunications hardware and equipment, software, internet costs, systems and services that form and facilitate the use of computer networks; digital media and marketing – audio and visual content that can be created, accessed, stored or viewed on digital devices, including web page design; e-commerce – goods or services supporting digitally ordered or platform-enabled online transactions, portable payment devices, digital inventory management, subscriptions to cloud-based services, and advice on digital operations or digitising operations, such as advice about digital tools to support business continuity and growth; cyber security – cyber security systems, backup management and monitoring services.
Ongoing Self Employment Assistance Program Self-Employment Assistance can help you turn your business idea or existing small business into a viable business. Self-Employment Assistance can help you with your business idea or existing business through its flexible services including: Exploring Self-Employment Workshops; Business Plan Development; free accredited Small Business Training; Business Advice Sessions; Business Health Checks; Small Business Coaching.
Ongoing
Industry Growth Program The program supports innovative small and medium enterprises undertaking commercialisation and/or growth projects within the National Reconstruction Fund priority areas through advisory services and opportunities for matched grant funding. The NRF priority areas are: value-add in resources; value-add in agriculture, forestry and fisheries; transport; medical science; renewables and low emission technologies; defence capability; enabling capabilities.
When Funds Exhausted Engine and Emerging Industries Loan Pilot

The Department of Regional NSW has recently announced in Orange through the Regional Development Trust Fund, a $5m investment into engine and emerging industries in regional NSW centred on the food & beverage (F&B) industry. The Engine and Emerging Industries Loan Pilot provides low interest loans of between $100,000 and $1 million are now available to eligible regional enterprises to fund activities that support investment in new technologies and equipment that will increase efficiency and productivity.

This is a particularly important for our Central West footprint as the F&B industry provides significant contribution to our GVA. Applicants can apply for funding for activities that commenced on or after 1 April 2024.

  • The loan can be used to fund investments that will result in:
  • implementation of advanced manufacturing techniques and technology
  • expansion of existing advanced manufacturing capabilities
  • access to external expertise that is directly related to delivery of the project
  • purchase and/or installation of specialist equipment and/or infrastructure necessary to progress the project including mobile equipment
  • intellectual property protection or advice
  • increased capabilities/efficiencies of pre or post-production phases, for example, implementation of pre-market and/or after-market service activities.

 

Grant Success Stories

In the 2022/23 financial year, fifteen grants have been successful to a total value: $27,789,725. We continue to strive for more success stories for our community. Please contact us if you need help with your next grant application.

Community Group Success Story

The Forbes Dragon Boat Club were successful in obtaining a grant through Forbes Shire Council's Community Funding Program. The club has purchased a new trailer with the funds to help them move their 10's boat in and out of the water and into storage.  Well done to those involved and happy rowing!

 Dragon Boat 1