Deadline: 30-Jun-2026
The Small Grants Program supports eligible Australian charities that provide assistance to people in need and contribute to positive outcomes for Australian communities. The program funds local initiatives in areas such as community health, disadvantage, domestic violence, homelessness, housing, mental health, disaster response, and emergency support.
The program is offered by The James Frizelle Charitable Foundation and primarily supports local initiatives in the Gold Coast and Northern New South Wales regions. Eligible applicants must be Australian charities with Deductible Gift Recipient Item 1 status and must directly manage and deliver the project for which funding is requested.
Program Overview
The Small Grants Program provides charitable funding to Australian organisations that support vulnerable people and communities.
The program is designed to assist charities delivering practical projects that respond to local needs and improve community wellbeing.
The James Frizelle Charitable Foundation primarily provides funding through a formal application process, although its Directors may also award grants in response to specific needs or opportunities.
Main Objective
The main objective of the Small Grants Program is to support Australian charities that provide direct assistance to people in need.
The program aims to:
- Support disadvantaged individuals and communities
- Improve community health
- Assist people experiencing domestic violence
- Support homelessness services
- Improve housing and accommodation outcomes
- Strengthen mental health support
- Support local community initiatives
- Respond to emergencies and natural disasters
- Contribute to positive outcomes for Australian communities
Key Focus Areas
The program supports charitable activities that align with the Foundation’s mission and objectives.
Key focus areas include:
- Community health
- Disadvantaged communities
- Domestic violence assistance
- Homelessness support
- Housing and accommodation
- Mental health services
- Local community initiatives
- Emergency response
- Disaster response
- Support for people in need
- Community wellbeing
- Gold Coast community support
- Northern New South Wales community support
Grant Categories
The Small Grants Program includes several funding categories.
Available grant categories include:
- Community Health Small Grants
- Disadvantaged Small Grants
- Domestic Violence Small Grants
- Homelessness Small Grants
- Housing and Accommodation Small Grants
- Mental Health Small Grants
Applicants should choose the category that best matches their project purpose and target beneficiaries.
Funding Approach
The James Frizelle Charitable Foundation primarily considers grants through a formal application process.
However, the Directors may also award grants when specific needs or opportunities are identified.
Because demand for charitable assistance is increasing, successful applicants may receive partial funding rather than the full amount requested.
Geographic Focus
The Foundation primarily considers grants for local initiatives in:
- Gold Coast
- Northern New South Wales
Projects outside these regions may be considered when they respond to natural disasters or emergency situations that align with the Foundation’s mission.
Applicants should clearly explain the location of the project and the community need being addressed.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants must be Australian charities that provide benefits exclusively to Australian citizens who permanently reside in Australia.
To be eligible, organisations must:
- Be an Australian charity
- Hold Deductible Gift Recipient Item 1 status
- Provide a copy of the Endorsement Notification from the Australian Taxation Office before funding is awarded
- Deliver benefits only to Australian citizens who permanently reside in Australia
- Directly manage and deliver the funded project
- Demonstrate alignment with the Foundation’s key objectives
DGR Item 1 Requirement
Applicants must hold Deductible Gift Recipient Item 1 status.
They must provide a copy of their Endorsement Notification from the Australian Taxation Office before any funding can be awarded.
This requirement is essential for eligibility.
Direct Project Delivery Requirement
Applicant charities must be directly responsible for managing and delivering the project.
The Foundation does not support organisations acting only as intermediaries on behalf of other charities.
This means applicants should clearly show that they will implement, manage, monitor, and report on the funded activity themselves.
What the Program Supports
The program supports charitable projects that respond to real community needs.
Eligible projects may include:
- Community health activities
- Support for disadvantaged people
- Domestic violence support services
- Homelessness assistance
- Housing or accommodation support
- Mental health initiatives
- Emergency relief
- Disaster response
- Local community support projects
- Practical services for people in need
All projects must align with the Foundation’s key objectives.
Emergency and Disaster Response
The Foundation may consider projects outside the Gold Coast and Northern New South Wales regions when responding to natural disasters or emergencies.
These projects must still align with the Foundation’s mission and must provide clear benefits to eligible Australian recipients.
What the Program Does Not Support
Certain applications are not eligible for funding.
The Foundation does not support:
- Overseas aid projects
- Retrospective funding requests
- Schools
- Universities
- Hospitals
- Related research activities
- Medical research
- Drug and alcohol rehabilitation and support services
- Applications that have previously been unsuccessful
- Political parties
- Lobby groups
- Organisations acting as intermediaries on behalf of other charities
Applicants should review these exclusions carefully before applying.
Recurring Funding
The Foundation does not necessarily provide recurring funding.
Applicants should not assume that support will continue beyond the approved grant.
A strong application should show how the project will be delivered effectively even if future funding is not guaranteed.
Funding Decisions
Funding decisions are made solely by the Directors of The James Frizelle Charitable Foundation.
Reasons for unsuccessful applications may not necessarily be provided.
Applicants should ensure their proposal is clear, complete, eligible, and strongly aligned with the Foundation’s objectives.
Why This Program Matters
Many Australian charities provide essential support to people experiencing hardship, crisis, poor health, housing insecurity, domestic violence, homelessness, or mental health challenges.
Small grants can help these organisations respond quickly and effectively to community needs.
The Small Grants Program matters because it provides targeted support for charities delivering practical assistance to vulnerable people, especially in the Gold Coast and Northern New South Wales regions.
Expected Results
Supported projects may contribute to:
- Improved community health
- Better support for disadvantaged people
- Increased safety for people affected by domestic violence
- Reduced homelessness impacts
- Better access to housing or accommodation support
- Improved mental health outcomes
- Stronger local community services
- Timely emergency or disaster response
- Positive outcomes for Australian communities
How to Apply or Prepare a Strong Application
Applicants should prepare a clear application that demonstrates eligibility, community need, project alignment, and direct delivery capacity.
Step 1: Confirm Charity Status
Applicants should confirm that they are an Australian charity and that their project benefits Australian citizens who permanently reside in Australia.
Step 2: Confirm DGR Item 1 Status
Applicants must confirm they hold Deductible Gift Recipient Item 1 status.
They should prepare a copy of their Endorsement Notification from the Australian Taxation Office.
Step 3: Choose the Correct Grant Category
Applicants should select the most relevant category.
This may include community health, disadvantage, domestic violence, homelessness, housing and accommodation, or mental health.
Step 4: Demonstrate Regional Relevance
Applicants should explain whether the project is based in the Gold Coast or Northern New South Wales.
If the project is outside these regions, applicants should explain how it relates to a natural disaster or emergency situation.
Step 5: Explain the Community Need
The application should clearly describe the problem being addressed.
Applicants should explain who is affected, why support is needed, and how the project will help.
Step 6: Show Alignment with Foundation Objectives
All applications must demonstrate alignment with the Foundation’s key objectives.
Applicants should clearly connect their project to assistance for people in need and positive community outcomes.
Step 7: Provide a Realistic Budget
Applicants should prepare a practical budget that explains how grant funds will be used.
Because partial funding may be awarded, applicants should show which costs are essential and how the project could still proceed if only part of the request is funded.
Step 8: Demonstrate Direct Delivery Capacity
Applicants should show that they will directly manage and deliver the project.
They should describe staff, governance, delivery experience, and project management capacity.
Step 9: Check Ineligible Categories
Applicants should ensure the project is not excluded, such as overseas aid, retrospective funding, medical research, school or university activities, political lobbying, or intermediary funding.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid the following mistakes:
- Applying without DGR Item 1 status
- Failing to provide the ATO Endorsement Notification
- Submitting a project outside the Foundation’s objectives
- Applying for overseas aid
- Requesting retrospective funding
- Applying for medical research or related hospital research
- Submitting a school, university, or hospital-based request
- Applying for drug and alcohol rehabilitation or support services
- Reapplying after a previous unsuccessful application
- Acting as an intermediary for another charity
- Assuming recurring funding will be provided
- Not explaining how the project benefits Australian citizens permanently residing in Australia
Tips for a Strong Application
A strong application should:
- Clearly identify the target community
- Show direct support for people in need
- Demonstrate strong alignment with the Foundation’s objectives
- Focus on the Gold Coast or Northern New South Wales where relevant
- Provide evidence of community need
- Explain practical project outcomes
- Include a clear and realistic budget
- Confirm DGR Item 1 status
- Show direct project management responsibility
- Avoid ineligible activities and excluded categories
- Explain how partial funding would be managed if full funding is not awarded
FAQ
1. What is the Small Grants Program?
The Small Grants Program supports eligible Australian charities that provide assistance to people in need and contribute to positive outcomes for Australian communities.
2. Who offers the program?
The program is offered by The James Frizelle Charitable Foundation.
3. What types of grants are available?
Grant categories include Community Health, Disadvantaged, Domestic Violence, Homelessness, Housing and Accommodation, and Mental Health Small Grants.
4. Who can apply?
Australian charities with Deductible Gift Recipient Item 1 status may apply if they provide benefits exclusively to Australian citizens who permanently reside in Australia.
5. What regions are prioritised?
The Foundation primarily considers local initiatives in the Gold Coast and Northern New South Wales regions.
6. Are projects outside these regions eligible?
Projects outside these regions may be considered when responding to natural disasters or emergency situations that align with the Foundation’s mission.
7. What applications are not eligible?
The Foundation does not support overseas aid, retrospective funding, schools, universities, hospitals, medical research, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, political parties, lobby groups, intermediary organisations, or previously unsuccessful applications.
Conclusion
The Small Grants Program supports Australian charities delivering practical assistance to people in need, especially in the Gold Coast and Northern New South Wales regions.
Through categories such as community health, disadvantage, domestic violence, homelessness, housing, accommodation, and mental health, the program helps charities respond to urgent and ongoing community needs.
Applicants should prepare clear applications that confirm DGR Item 1 status, demonstrate alignment with the Foundation’s objectives, show direct project delivery responsibility, and explain how the proposed activity will create positive outcomes for Australian communities.
For more information, visit James Frizelle Charitable Foundation.