Deadline: 03-Jul-2026
Applications are open for the Morialta Charitable Trust Fund, an annual grant program that supports organizations delivering projects that improve the lives of children, young people, and their families across South Australia. The fund prioritizes initiatives that address disadvantage, vulnerability, and social exclusion while creating sustainable and meaningful outcomes for young people aged from birth to 24 years.
Each year, the Trust distributes approximately $500,000 to eligible organizations working to support the wellbeing, safety, health, and future opportunities of children and young people throughout metropolitan, regional, and remote South Australia.
Overview
The Morialta Charitable Trust Fund supports projects that respond to the needs of vulnerable children, young people, and families.
The program focuses on addressing social, economic, health, and community challenges that negatively affect the quality of life of young South Australians. Funding is directed toward initiatives that demonstrate clear community need, measurable outcomes, and sustainable impact.
Projects should be well-planned, targeted, and capable of delivering meaningful change within the proposed funding period.
Funding Amount
The Trust distributes:
- Approximately $500,000 annually in grant funding
Funding requests:
- Have no minimum funding amount
- Have no maximum funding amount
However, previous grants have generally ranged between:
- $20,000 and $40,000
Funding requests should be proportional to project scope, expected outcomes, and demonstrated need.
Program Objectives
The fund aims to:
- Improve the lives of children and young people
- Reduce the impact of poverty and disadvantage
- Support vulnerable and at-risk youth
- Promote safety, wellbeing, and inclusion
- Strengthen family and community support systems
- Improve access to opportunities and services
- Support positive mental health outcomes
- Address barriers affecting quality of life
- Create sustainable and measurable community impact
Projects should clearly demonstrate how they contribute to these objectives.
Priority Areas
The Trust prioritizes projects supporting children and young people who are:
- Living in poverty or necessitous circumstances
- At risk of poverty or financial hardship
- Experiencing or at risk of violence
- Affected by crime
- Impacted by drug and alcohol abuse
- Experiencing discrimination or social exclusion
- Facing homelessness or housing instability
- Living with significant mental health challenges
- Experiencing family-related disadvantage
- Living with physical disabilities
- Managing health conditions that affect wellbeing
The program also supports initiatives that assist families facing complex social and economic challenges.
Target Beneficiaries
Projects should benefit:
- Children from birth to 24 years of age
- Young people aged up to 24 years
- Families supporting vulnerable children and young people
Funding is intended to improve outcomes for young South Australians and the communities that support them.
Examples of Eligible Project Areas
Projects may focus on:
- Youth wellbeing and resilience
- Mental health support
- Early intervention services
- Family support programs
- Homelessness prevention
- Community inclusion initiatives
- Disability support services
- Educational opportunities
- Youth engagement programs
- Violence prevention initiatives
- Health and wellbeing programs
- Financial hardship assistance
- Social participation projects
- Youth development activities
Projects should demonstrate a direct benefit to the target population.
Geographic Scope
Projects may be delivered in:
- Metropolitan South Australia
- Regional South Australia
- Remote South Australia
All funded activities must benefit children, young people, or families within South Australia.
Who Can Apply?
The fund is open to incorporated organizations whose mission aligns with the objectives of the Morialta Charitable Trust.
Eligible applicants include:
- Charitable organizations
- Community service providers
- Youth-focused organizations
- Social service agencies
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Community-based organizations
Applicants must demonstrate their capacity to successfully deliver the proposed project.
Eligibility Requirements
Organizations must:
- Be incorporated
- Hold Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status
- Have objectives aligned with the Trust’s mission
- Operate in compliance with relevant regulations
- Have no outstanding financial obligations to the Trust
- Maintain appropriate governance and accountability measures
Organizations that do not meet these requirements may be deemed ineligible.
Ineligible Applicants
The Trust does not support:
- Public Ancillary Funds
- Organizations with outstanding obligations to the Trust
- Applicants unable to meet governance or reporting requirements
Applicants should carefully review eligibility before submitting an application.
Assessment Criteria
Applications are assessed on several key factors, including:
- Demonstrated community need
- Clear target audience
- Strength of the proposed project
- Measurable outcomes and impact
- Long-term sustainability
- Risk management planning
- Organizational capability
- Financial viability
- Ability to complete the project successfully
- Capacity to meet acquittal requirements
Strong applications clearly articulate both the need for the project and the expected outcomes.
Project Requirements
Projects should:
- Address a clearly identified need
- Have defined objectives and outcomes
- Include a realistic implementation plan
- Demonstrate measurable impact
- Deliver sustainable benefits
- Be capable of completion within required timeframes
Applicants should ensure that project activities are well-scoped and achievable.
Child Safety Requirements
Organizations must have:
- Child safety policies
- Child protection procedures
- Appropriate safeguarding measures
These requirements help ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and young people participating in funded activities.
Insurance and Financial Requirements
Applicants must:
- Maintain appropriate insurance coverage
- Submit audited or reviewed financial statements
- Comply with relevant ACNC requirements
- Demonstrate sound financial management practices
These requirements support accountability and responsible grant management.
Successful Applicant Obligations
Successful organizations will be required to:
- Enter into a formal funding agreement
- Provide evidence of insurance coverage
- Submit child safety documentation
- Deliver the project as approved
- Complete project reporting requirements
- Submit project acquittals as outlined in the agreement
Compliance with funding conditions is essential throughout the project lifecycle.
How to Apply
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Ensure that your organization:
- Is incorporated
- Holds DGR status
- Aligns with the Trust’s mission
- Meets governance and compliance requirements
Step 2: Identify the Community Need
Clearly define:
- The problem being addressed
- The target beneficiaries
- Why the project is needed
Applications supported by evidence of need are generally more competitive.
Step 3: Develop the Project Plan
Outline:
- Project objectives
- Activities and delivery methods
- Expected outcomes
- Timeline
- Risk management strategies
The project plan should demonstrate feasibility and impact.
Step 4: Prepare the Budget
Include:
- Project expenses
- Funding request amount
- Other funding sources (if applicable)
- Budget justification
Budgets should be realistic and aligned with project activities.
Step 5: Gather Supporting Documentation
Prepare:
- Financial statements
- DGR evidence
- Child safety policies
- Insurance documentation
- Organizational information
Step 6: Submit the Application
Submit all required documentation before the application deadline and ensure information is complete and accurate.
Tips for Applicants
- Clearly define the target group and community need.
- Demonstrate measurable outcomes.
- Show how the project creates sustainable change.
- Include strong risk management strategies.
- Provide realistic budgets and timelines.
- Highlight organizational experience and capacity.
- Ensure child safety policies are current and comprehensive.
- Submit all required supporting documents.
Why This Fund Matters
Many children and young people face barriers that limit their opportunities, wellbeing, and future potential. Challenges such as poverty, mental health issues, homelessness, disability, family instability, and social exclusion can have long-term impacts on development and quality of life.
The Morialta Charitable Trust Fund supports organizations working directly with vulnerable young people and families to address these challenges. By investing in practical, community-based solutions, the fund helps create safer, healthier, and more inclusive futures for young South Australians.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- How much funding is available each year?
- Approximately $500,000 is distributed annually through the program.
- Is there a minimum or maximum grant amount?
- No. However, previous grants have generally ranged between $20,000 and $40,000.
- Who can benefit from funded projects?
- Children and young people from birth to 24 years of age, as well as their families.
- Can projects be delivered outside metropolitan areas?
- Yes. Projects may be delivered in metropolitan, regional, or remote areas of South Australia.
- What types of organizations can apply?
- Incorporated organizations with DGR status whose mission aligns with the Trust’s objectives.
- Are child safety policies required?
- Yes. Applicants must have appropriate child safety policies and procedures in place.
- How long must projects be completed within?
- Projects must be completed and acquitted within 13 months of funding distribution.
Conclusion
The Morialta Charitable Trust Fund provides significant annual funding to organizations delivering impactful projects for children, young people, and families across South Australia. By supporting initiatives that address poverty, mental health, disability, homelessness, family disadvantage, and other critical challenges, the program helps create lasting and meaningful improvements in the lives of vulnerable young South Australians. Eligible organizations with strong, outcomes-focused projects are encouraged to apply.
For more information, visit Morialta Charitable Trust.
