Deadline: 31-Mar-2026

The Waratah Education Public Ancillary Fund provides grants of $10,000–$20,000 to Australian not-for-profit organizations that deliver direct educational support to disadvantaged children and young people. The program aims to reduce financial barriers, provide essential school resources, and support mentoring, tutoring, and other initiatives that help students reach their educational potential.

Program Overview

The Waratah Education Public Ancillary Fund supports Australian not-for-profit organizations working to improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged youth. The initiative focuses on projects that provide direct assistance to children, teenagers, and young adults from underprivileged backgrounds to break the cycle of poverty and disadvantage.

Key objectives include:

• Supporting underprivileged families and students to access education

• Providing frontline support for disadvantaged youth

• Reducing barriers to school attendance and learning opportunities

• Supplying essential school resources and digital access

• Supporting mentoring, tutoring, and educational programs

• Ensuring sustainable program management and responsible stewardship of resources

Who is Eligible?

Eligible organizations must:

• Be Australian not-for-profit entities with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) Item 1 status

• Operate within Australia

• Have an annual consolidated turnover of less than $1.5 million

• Demonstrate the capacity, expertise, and systems to manage projects responsibly

Funding Details

• Grant amount: $10,000–$20,000 per project

• Purpose: Direct support to students experiencing financial hardship, including:

  • School uniforms

  • Books and stationery

  • Digital access (devices or internet connectivity)

  • Mentoring and tutoring programs

• Projects must clearly define scope, demonstrated need, and intended impact

How to Apply / Application Process

1. Confirm eligibility: Ensure your organization meets all criteria (DGR Item 1, turnover, Australia-based).

2. Define project details: Clearly outline objectives, scope, intended impact, and beneficiaries.

3. Prepare budget: Include details on how funds will be used for direct educational assistance.

4. Submit application: Follow Waratah Education’s official submission guidelines.

5. Review process: Applications evaluated on alignment with program objectives, demonstrated need, and organizational capacity.

Why It Matters

The program addresses financial barriers that prevent disadvantaged students from fully participating in education by:

• Providing essential learning resources

• Supporting mentoring, tutoring, and guidance

• Reducing educational inequality

• Enabling youth to reach their full educational potential

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying without confirming DGR Item 1 status or turnover eligibility

• Submitting projects without clearly defined scope or measurable outcomes

• Overlooking the need to demonstrate organizational capacity for project delivery

• Requesting funds for indirect or administrative purposes rather than direct student support

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who can apply for the grants?
   Australian not-for-profit organizations with DGR Item 1 status and annual turnover under $1.5 million.

2. What is the grant range?
   $10,000–$20,000 per project.

3. What types of projects are supported?
   Projects providing direct assistance to disadvantaged youth, including school resources, digital access, mentoring, and tutoring.

4. Are organizations outside Australia eligible?
   No, applicants must operate within Australia.

5. How should organizations demonstrate project impact?
   By clearly outlining project scope, beneficiary needs, and expected outcomes for students.

6. Can funding be used for operational costs?
   No, the focus is on direct educational support, not general administration.

7. What is required to manage the grant responsibly?
   Organizations must demonstrate capacity, expertise, and systems to implement and sustain the project effectively.

Conclusion

The Waratah Education Public Ancillary Fund empowers Australian not-for-profit organizations to provide direct support to disadvantaged children and young people. By addressing financial barriers, enhancing access to essential learning resources, and supporting educational programs, the fund helps students achieve their full educational potential and promotes long-term social impact.

For more information, visit Waratah Education Foundation.