Deadline: 10-Jul-2026
The Words Grow Minds Local Collaboration Grants Round 3 2026–27 support community-led projects that promote early childhood development and strengthen engagement with families of young children across South Australia. The program encourages collaboration between early years services and community organisations to deliver local initiatives that help parents and caregivers support children’s learning, development, and wellbeing during the critical early years.
A total funding pool of AUD 60,000 is available annually, with 20 grants of AUD 3,000 each offered to eligible organisations and services.
About the Words Grow Minds Program
Words Grow Minds is a statewide initiative led by Raising Literacy Australia that promotes evidence-based early childhood development messages to families and caregivers across South Australia.
The campaign highlights the importance of the first three years of life, a period when up to 85% of brain development occurs. Through practical resources, community engagement, professional learning opportunities, and public awareness activities, the program helps families understand how everyday interactions support children’s growth and learning.
The Local Collaboration Grants provide funding for community-based projects that reinforce these messages while responding to local needs.
Program Objectives
The grant program aims to:
- Strengthen early childhood development outcomes
- Increase family engagement with early years services
- Promote the Words Grow Minds campaign messages
- Build parent and caregiver knowledge and confidence
- Encourage positive interactions between adults and young children
- Reach families who are not currently accessing available services
- Support collaboration between local organisations
- Create sustainable community-based initiatives
- Improve long-term outcomes for children and families
Priority Areas
Projects should align with one or more of the following priorities:
- Collaboration between early years and community-based service providers
- Community activation through free local events and activities
- Promotion of early brain development messages
- Parent and caregiver capacity building
- Engagement of underserved or disengaged families
- Early learning and development support
- Positive family-child interactions
- Long-term community impact and sustainability
- Evaluation and measurement of project outcomes
Projects that address multiple priorities are encouraged.
Funding Available
The program provides:
- Total annual funding pool of AUD 60,000
- 20 grants available
- Up to AUD 3,000 per successful project
Funding is intended to support practical community initiatives that strengthen family engagement and early childhood development outcomes.
Eligible Use of Funds
Grant funding may be used for:
- Community outreach activities
- Collaborative projects with partner organisations
- Planning and delivery of community events
- Staff costs directly related to project delivery
- Equipment required for project implementation
- Promotional and awareness activities
- Guest speakers and facilitators
- Catering that supports collaborative engagement
- Resources for families and caregivers
- Project evaluation activities
All funded activities should contribute to the objectives of the Words Grow Minds campaign.
Who Can Apply?
Applications are encouraged from organisations and services that work with young children and families across South Australia.
Eligible applicants should:
- Work directly with young children and families
- Understand the goals of the Words Grow Minds campaign
- Be able to deliver community-based activities
- Demonstrate collaboration with other organisations
- Have the capacity to manage and evaluate the project
Target Beneficiaries
Projects should prioritise:
- Children aged three years and under
- Parents and caregivers
- Families with young children
- Communities with limited engagement in early years services
- Families who may face barriers to accessing support
Special consideration is given to initiatives that reach families who are currently underserved or disconnected from available services.
Collaboration Requirements
A key feature of the program is partnership and collaboration.
Strong applications should demonstrate:
- Meaningful partnerships with local organisations
- Shared planning and project delivery
- Diverse service involvement
- Community engagement strategies
- Resource sharing and collaboration
- Long-term partnership development
Projects involving multiple sectors and services are encouraged.
Assessment Criteria
Successful applications are expected to demonstrate:
- Alignment with Words Grow Minds objectives
- Strong collaboration between organisations
- Innovative approaches to community engagement
- Clear benefits for families and young children
- Practical and achievable project plans
- Sustainable outcomes beyond the funding period
- Effective evaluation and measurement strategies
Applications should clearly explain the community need being addressed and the expected outcomes.
Sustainability and Long-Term Impact
Projects should aim to create benefits that continue beyond the grant period.
Examples include:
- Establishing ongoing partnerships
- Creating reusable resources
- Building community capacity
- Strengthening service networks
- Increasing long-term family engagement
- Embedding successful activities into existing programs
Sustainability is an important consideration during assessment.
Previous Grant Recipients
Organisations that have previously received a Words Grow Minds Local Collaboration Grant may apply again.
However, applicants must demonstrate:
- New partnership arrangements, or
- Significant changes to previous projects, or
- Expansion and improvement of earlier initiatives
Previous recipients must also have completed all required grant acquittal and reporting obligations.
Preference will be given to innovative and clearly enhanced proposals.
Why This Grant Matters
Research shows that early childhood experiences play a crucial role in lifelong learning, health, and wellbeing. By supporting community-led initiatives, the Words Grow Minds Local Collaboration Grants help families access practical information and support during the most important years of child development.
The program contributes to:
- Stronger family relationships
- Improved early learning outcomes
- Greater community participation
- Increased awareness of child development
- Better access to early years services
- More connected and supportive communities
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much funding is available?
Twenty grants of AUD 3,000 are available each year from a total funding pool of AUD 60,000. - Who should benefit from funded projects?
Projects should primarily benefit children aged three years and under, along with their families and caregivers. - Can previous grant recipients apply again?
Yes. Previous recipients may apply if they demonstrate new partnerships, significant project changes, or meaningful expansion of previous initiatives. - Are partnerships required?
Yes. Collaboration between organisations is a key component of the program and is strongly considered during assessment. - What types of activities can be funded?
Outreach programs, community events, collaborative projects, staff costs, promotional activities, guest speakers, equipment, and family engagement initiatives may be supported. - What is the focus of the Words Grow Minds campaign?
The campaign promotes evidence-based messages about early childhood brain development, particularly during the first three years of life. - How are applications assessed?
Applications are assessed based on collaboration, innovation, community impact, sustainability, alignment with program objectives, and plans for measuring success.
Conclusion
The Words Grow Minds Local Collaboration Grants Round 3 2026–27 provide valuable support for organisations working to improve early childhood outcomes across South Australia. Through funding for collaborative, community-based initiatives, the program helps strengthen family engagement, promote early brain development, and build lasting partnerships that support children and caregivers during the critical early years of life.
For more information, visit Words Grow Minds.
