Safe Communities – Domestic and Family Violence Grant (Australia)

The Safe Communities – Domestic and Family Violence Grant provides funding of up to AUD 5,000 to eligible not-for-profit organisations delivering primary prevention initiatives that address the underlying drivers of domestic and family violence in the Penrith Local Government Area (LGA). The three-year pilot program supports community education, capacity building, partnerships, and awareness activities that promote gender equality, healthy relationships, and safer, more inclusive communities.

Safe Communities – Domestic and Family Violence Grant

The Safe Communities – Domestic and Family Violence Grant is a funding initiative established by Penrith City Council to support community-led projects that prevent domestic and family violence before it occurs. The program funds primary prevention activities that address the root causes of violence, strengthen community capacity, and promote respectful relationships, inclusion, and gender equality across the Penrith Local Government Area (LGA).

The grant operates as a three-year pilot program and will conclude in June 2027.

Focus Areas

The program supports initiatives that:

• Prevent domestic and family violence through primary prevention
• Increase community awareness and education
• Address the underlying drivers of domestic and family violence
• Promote gender equality
• Encourage healthy and respectful relationships
• Support community-led prevention initiatives
• Strengthen collaboration between community organisations
• Build the knowledge and skills of workers and volunteers
• Increase awareness of available support services
• Strengthen social networks for vulnerable communities
• Respond to the needs of communities experiencing intersectional inequality
• Promote access, inclusion, and equity
• Support and celebrate First Nations communities and culture

Grant Amount

The program provides:

• Annual funding pool: AUD 20,000
• Category 1 (Sole Applicant): Up to AUD 2,500
• Category 2 (Partnership Application): Up to AUD 5,000

Program Objectives

The Safe Communities – Domestic and Family Violence Grant aims to:

• Prevent domestic and family violence before it occurs.
• Address the social and structural drivers of violence.
• Promote respectful relationships and gender equality.
• Increase community understanding of domestic and family violence prevention.
• Strengthen community organisations and volunteers.
• Foster collaboration between organisations.
• Improve community wellbeing and social inclusion.
• Support vulnerable communities through education and awareness.

Eligible Activities

Funding may support:

• Community education programs
• Domestic and family violence awareness campaigns
• Community workshops
• Primary prevention events
• Training for workers and volunteers
• Capacity-building initiatives
• Community engagement activities
• Social awareness campaigns
• Projects promoting healthy relationships
• Initiatives strengthening community support networks
• One-off community activities delivered within the funding period

Projects must be completed within 12 months of signing the funding agreement.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Incorporated not-for-profit organisations
• Unincorporated community groups with an incorporated not-for-profit auspice organisation holding an Australian Business Number (ABN)

Applicants must:

• Be located within the Penrith Local Government Area or provide services that directly benefit Penrith residents.
• Deliver projects aligned with the program objectives.
• Demonstrate the ability to obtain all required approvals, licences, permits, and insurance.
• Complete funded activities within 12 months.
• Enter into a funding agreement with Penrith City Council.
• Submit all required reporting following project completion.

Applicants seeking partnership funding must:

• Demonstrate a genuine partnership with one or more eligible organisations.
• Provide evidence of the partnership.
• Explain how the collaboration strengthens project outcomes.

An auspicing arrangement alone does not qualify as a partnership.

Who is Not Eligible?

The following are not eligible:

• Schools
• Government agencies
• Organisations with outstanding grant acquittals
• Organisations with debts owed to Penrith City Council
• Projects already completed before funding approval
• Ongoing operating expenses
• Salaries and routine organisational costs
• Fundraising activities
• Projects duplicating existing Penrith City Council initiatives
• Projects previously funded through another Council grant program
• Activities that cannot be completed within 12 months

Note: Parent and Friends (P&C/P&F) committees and similar school-associated community groups may be eligible where they meet program requirements.

Why This Grant Matters

Domestic and family violence prevention requires long-term community action that addresses the root causes of violence before it occurs.

This grant helps organisations:

• Promote respectful relationships.
• Build safer communities.
• Increase community awareness.
• Strengthen local prevention networks.
• Improve knowledge and skills among workers and volunteers.
• Support vulnerable and underrepresented communities.
• Encourage collaboration across sectors.
• Advance gender equality and social inclusion.

How to Apply

Follow these steps to prepare your application:

1. Confirm your organisation meets all eligibility requirements.
2. Develop a project focused on primary prevention of domestic and family violence.
3. Decide whether to apply individually or through a genuine partnership.
4. Prepare a detailed project plan, timeline, and budget.
5. Gather supporting documents, including partnership evidence if applicable.
6. Ensure all required licences, permits, approvals, and insurance can be obtained.
7. Complete the grant application before the advertised closing date.
8. If successful, sign the funding agreement with Penrith City Council.
9. Deliver the approved project within 12 months.
10. Submit the required acquittal and project outcome reports.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Clearly explain how the project addresses the root causes of domestic and family violence.
• Demonstrate community need and expected impact.
• Show how the project promotes gender equality and respectful relationships.
• Include meaningful community participation.
• Build strong partnerships where appropriate.
• Present measurable outcomes.
• Provide a realistic budget and implementation plan.
• Demonstrate organisational capacity and experience.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying for crisis response rather than primary prevention activities.
• Treating an auspice arrangement as a partnership.
• Requesting funding for ongoing operating costs.
• Submitting incomplete applications.
• Proposing activities outside the Penrith Local Government Area.
• Failing to demonstrate measurable community outcomes.
• Omitting required approvals or insurance.
• Proposing projects that cannot be completed within the required timeframe.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the Safe Communities – Domestic and Family Violence Grant?

Eligible incorporated not-for-profit organisations and community groups with an eligible incorporated auspice that deliver projects benefiting residents of the Penrith Local Government Area.

How much funding is available?

Sole applicants can receive up to AUD 2,500, while partnership applications may receive up to AUD 5,000.

What types of projects are supported?

The program funds primary prevention initiatives, including education campaigns, workshops, awareness events, capacity-building activities, community engagement programs, and training that address the underlying drivers of domestic and family violence.

Are schools eligible to apply?

No. Schools and government agencies are not eligible, although school-associated groups such as Parent and Friends committees may apply if they meet the eligibility requirements.

What is meant by primary prevention?

Primary prevention focuses on stopping domestic and family violence before it occurs by addressing its underlying causes, promoting gender equality, encouraging respectful relationships, and creating supportive community environments.

How long do funded projects have to be completed?

All funded activities must be completed within 12 months of signing the funding agreement.

Are partnerships mandatory?

No. Partnerships are only required for applicants seeking the higher funding amount of up to AUD 5,000 under the partnership category.

Conclusion

The Safe Communities – Domestic and Family Violence Grant provides valuable funding for community organisations working to prevent domestic and family violence through education, awareness, collaboration, and community-led action. By offering grants of up to AUD 5,000, the program supports initiatives that strengthen community capacity, promote gender equality, foster healthy relationships, and build safer, more inclusive communities across the Penrith Local Government Area.