Deadline: 11-Aug-2026

The Development & Operations Grants 2026/27 provide funding to strengthen the sustainability, resilience, and long-term capacity of community media organisations. The programme supports licensed community broadcasters and First Nations community media organisations through funding for operational costs, governance, training, broadcasting services, disability projects, and community engagement initiatives.

What Are the Development & Operations Grants?

The Development & Operations Grants are designed to help community media organisations build strong, sustainable, and resilient broadcasting services.

The programme provides financial support for operational activities, organisational development, governance improvements, training, broadcasting services, and projects that strengthen engagement with diverse communities while improving accessibility and inclusion.

Grant Objectives

The programme aims to help community media organisations:

Strengthen governance policies and long-term planning.
Build organisational capacity and capability.
Improve financial and operational sustainability.
Increase resilience to unexpected challenges and change.
Deepen engagement with identified communities.
Develop partnerships that create new opportunities.
Promote inclusive and accessible broadcasting practices.

Funding Information

Funding available under the Development & Operations Grants Round 1 (2026/27) includes:

Operating costs and transmission operating or equipment costs: $485,746.
Support for Ethnic broadcasting: $219,603.
Support for First Nations broadcasting: $33,375.
Support for Radio Reading (RPH) broadcasting, including transmission expenses.
Support for Disability projects.
Training support.

Total available funding:

$252,978.

What Can the Grant Support?

The programme supports activities that strengthen community broadcasting organisations and improve service delivery.

Operating Costs

Funding may support:

Day-to-day operational expenses.
Organisational administration.
Essential broadcasting operations.
Sustainability initiatives.

Transmission and Equipment

Eligible activities include:

Transmission operating costs.
Broadcasting equipment expenses.
Technical infrastructure.
Equipment maintenance and upgrades.

Ethnic Broadcasting

Funding supports:

Community broadcasting for culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Multicultural programming.
Community engagement activities.

First Nations Broadcasting

Support may include:

Community broadcasting services for First Nations communities.
Indigenous media initiatives.
Cultural storytelling and language preservation.

Radio Reading (RPH) Broadcasting

Funding may support:

Radio Reading services.
Transmission expenses.
Accessible broadcasting for people with print disabilities.

Disability Projects

Funding can be used for:

Accessibility initiatives.
Disability inclusion projects.
Broadcasting services that improve access for people with disabilities.

Training and Capacity Building

Support may include:

Staff development.
Volunteer training.
Governance training.
Technical skills development.
Leadership and organisational capability building.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must be one of the following:

A licensed community broadcasting organisation, including community radio or television stations.
A First Nations community media organisation whose primary purpose is community broadcasting.

Why These Grants Matter

Community broadcasters play an essential role in delivering local news, educational programming, cultural content, and community engagement.

These grants help organisations:

Improve organisational sustainability.
Strengthen governance.
Expand community participation.
Support diverse voices.
Increase accessibility.
Build stronger partnerships.
Improve broadcasting services for local communities.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

Confirm that your organisation meets the eligibility requirements.
Identify the operational or development activities requiring funding.
Prepare a project plan outlining expected outcomes.
Develop a detailed budget aligned with eligible funding categories.
Demonstrate how the proposed activities support organisational sustainability and community impact.
Gather all required organisational documentation.
Submit the completed application before the programme deadline.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common application mistakes:

Applying without meeting the eligibility requirements.
Submitting incomplete budgets.
Failing to explain how funding will improve organisational sustainability.
Providing unclear project objectives.
Not demonstrating community benefit.
Omitting supporting organisational documentation.

Tips for a Strong Application

To improve your application:

Clearly explain your organisation’s role within the community.
Demonstrate long-term sustainability planning.
Highlight governance improvements.
Show measurable community outcomes.
Describe how the project promotes diversity, inclusion, or accessibility.
Include realistic budgets and implementation timelines.
Explain how the funding will strengthen organisational resilience.

Key Definitions

Community Broadcasting

Non-profit radio or television broadcasting that serves local communities by providing educational, cultural, informational, and community-focused programming.

Governance

The systems, policies, leadership, and decision-making processes that guide an organisation’s management and accountability.

Organisational Capacity

The ability of an organisation to effectively manage its people, resources, operations, and services to achieve its objectives.

Organisational Resilience

The capability of an organisation to prepare for, respond to, and recover from operational, financial, or environmental challenges while maintaining essential services.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the Development & Operations Grants?

The grants provide financial support to strengthen the sustainability, governance, resilience, and operational capacity of community media organisations.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include licensed community broadcasting organisations, including community radio and television stations, and First Nations community media organisations primarily engaged in community broadcasting.

What activities can be funded?

Funding supports operating costs, transmission expenses, equipment, ethnic broadcasting, First Nations broadcasting, Radio Reading (RPH) services, disability projects, and training initiatives.

How much funding is available?

Funding is allocated across several categories, including $485,746 for operating costs and transmission support, $219,603 for Ethnic broadcasting, $33,375 for First Nations broadcasting, additional support for Radio Reading broadcasting and disability projects, with a total available funding amount of $252,978.

Can training activities be funded?

Yes. The programme supports training that strengthens organisational capacity, leadership, governance, technical skills, and volunteer development.

Why are these grants important?

The programme helps community broadcasters improve sustainability, strengthen governance, expand community engagement, enhance accessibility, and continue delivering valuable broadcasting services to diverse communities.

What types of organisations benefit from these grants?

The grants support community radio stations, community television broadcasters, First Nations media organisations, multicultural broadcasters, Radio Reading services, and organisations delivering inclusive community media initiatives.

Conclusion

The Development & Operations Grants 2026/27 provide valuable funding to strengthen the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of community media organisations. By supporting governance improvements, operational costs, broadcasting services, accessibility initiatives, and organisational capacity building, the programme helps community broadcasters continue delivering inclusive, resilient, and high-quality media services that inform, connect, and empower diverse communities.

For more information, visit Community Broadcasting Foundation.