Deadline: 19-Feb-2026
The In a Good Place program offers grants of up to $20,000 to support community-driven, non-clinical mental health initiatives in remote, rural, and regional Australia. It prioritizes preventative care, social inclusion, and help-seeking behaviors in small towns with populations under 10,000. The fund is specifically for not-for-profit organizations embedded within the communities they serve.
The In a Good Place program is a strategic funding initiative designed to empower small Australian communities to tackle mental health challenges locally. By focusing on non-clinical support, the program fills the gap between medical intervention and community-based social and emotional wellbeing.
Why It Matters: Addressing the Rural Mental Health Gap
Residents in remote and regional Australia often face unique stressors, such as geographical isolation, economic dependence on agriculture, and limited access to professional healthcare. This program is vital because it:
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Reduces Stigma: Normalizes mental health discussions in traditionally stoic communities (e.g., farming districts).
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Fosters Connection: Directly combats social isolation through inclusive, participatory activities.
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Builds Resilience: Enhances local “mental health literacy,” allowing community members to support one another.
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Targets Vulnerable Groups: Provides specific support for farmers, Indigenous Australians, youth, and multicultural communities.
Key Concepts and Definitions
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Non-Clinical Support: Services that do not involve medical diagnosis or clinical treatment (e.g., peer support groups, community gardens, or creative arts) but improve emotional health.
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Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB): A holistic concept used frequently in Indigenous health that encompasses the connection to land, culture, family, and community.
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Remoteness Categories: The program prioritizes towns based on the ASGS Remoteness Areas, specifically focusing on “Remote” and “Very Remote” locations.
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Help-Seeking Behavior: Active steps taken by an individual to seek professional or community help for mental health concerns.
Who is Eligible?
The program is strictly for organizations that are “embedded” in the community, ensuring the projects are grassroots and locally led.
Eligible Organizations:
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Not-for-profit organizations with a valid Australian Business Number (ABN) or Incorporation Certificate.
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Community groups, schools, neighborhood houses, and pastoral care teams.
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Organizations delivering projects for charitable purposes with clear public benefit.
Geographic Priority:
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Remote, rural, or regional Australia.
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Priority is given to small communities with populations under 10,000.
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Very remote, remote, and outer-regional areas are prioritized over large regional hubs.
Funding and Project Scope
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Grant Amount: Up to $20,000 per project.
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Duration: Projects should generally be sustainable or have a clear impact beyond the grant period.
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Project Types: Creative arts, gardening, peer support, community-led workshops, and mental health literacy training.
How to Apply: Process and Requirements
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Identify Local Need: Projects must address a specific wellbeing challenge identified by the local community.
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Verify Non-Clinical Status: Ensure the project does not duplicate existing clinical services provided by state or federal health departments.
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Establish Partnerships: Collaborate with local agri-industry services, state agencies, or other community groups to strengthen the application.
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Financial Documentation: Prepare your organization’s most recent financial statements and ABN details.
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One Application Rule: Organizations may submit only one application per grant round.
Common Mistakes and Tips
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Mistake: Proposing Clinical Services. The fund does not support psychologist fees, medical treatments, or clinical interventions.
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Mistake: Duplication. If a town already has a funded mental health support service, the application must demonstrate how the new project fills a different gap.
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Tip: Focus on Sustainability. The evaluators look for “what happens when the money runs out.” Show how the project builds a permanent local capacity.
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Tip: Quantify Remoteness. Explicitly mention your town’s population and distance from major centers to highlight the need for localized support.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can a for-profit farm or business apply? No. This program is only for not-for-profit organizations and community groups with a charitable purpose.
2. Is there a minimum population required? There is no minimum, but the program specifically prioritizes small communities with populations under 10,000.
3. Does the project have to be delivered by mental health professionals? No. In fact, the program favors non-clinical providers like schools, local committees, and neighborhood organizations.
4. Can we use the grant to build a permanent community center? The fund typically supports activities and programs rather than large-scale capital works (bricks and mortar). However, small equipment or infrastructure needed for the project (e.g., garden beds for a therapeutic garden) is usually eligible.
5. What is “Mental Health Literacy”? It refers to knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders which aid their recognition, management, or prevention.
6. Can we apply for a project that has already started? Funding is generally for new projects or new phases of existing programs; it cannot be used retrospectively for costs already incurred.
7. Are Indigenous communities a priority? Yes. Providing culturally appropriate social and emotional wellbeing activities for Indigenous communities is a key focus area.
Conclusion
The In a Good Place program empowers rural Australians to take ownership of their mental health through community-led action. By focusing on connection, inclusion, and preventative care, the program builds a stronger social fabric in the regions that need it most. Successful projects are those that demonstrate a deep understanding of local needs and a clear plan for long-term community benefit.
For more information, visit Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal.
