Overview
The Annual Community Grants Program first commenced in 2016 and continues to be an integral grant round for the Scanlon Foundation. This year the Foundation will continue the Annual Community Grants Program but with some important changes.
Why have changes been made to the Annual Community Grants Program?
The Foundation is responding to grantee feedback that one-year grants can restrict their ability to deliver the level of impact they want and reduce their ability to plan support for participants beyond 12 months.
What will stay the same?
- Funding Category – Employment Pathways. This round will retain the Employment Pathways funding category only
- Target cohort – Long-term unemployed/underemployed adults from all migrant & multicultural backgrounds
- Regional/rural communities – The Program will continue to support applications and proposals from regional and rural communities or organisations supporting migrant and/or multicultural communities in regional areas;
- DGR1 certification – Organisations must have DGR1 certification to be eligible
- Social Enterprises & Business Entrepreneurships – Are eligible for consideration
What are the new changes?
- Funding period – 2 years of funding (FY27 & FY28)
- Grant Amount – Up to $50,000 p.a. per project
- Removed Independent Funding Category – English Literacy is not a separate funding category but can be included in your project design.
Important Information
We aim to foster connections and strengthen communities by engaging local businesses with potential employees living in their area. Applicants must address the four key criteria outlined below in their application:
- Employment pathways
- Local business engagement
- Mentors
- Community Input
English Literacy
Please include any English literacy requirements for the participants and how that will be included in the project design.
Opening Date: Monday 20 July 2026
Closing Date: Friday 28 August 2026
Online Information Session: Monday 3 August 2026 at 1pm (AEST). The webinar will be recorded for those unable to attend. Register via the link: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/64a5b965-e921-4460-9cab-1b6424c31345@f4bce97e-202b-42a7-abdf-950ac3ec6d2c
Click on the link below to login to the SmartyGrants website and proceed with your application: https://scanlonfoundation.smartygrants.com.au/ACG2026
Who Can Apply: Any organisation with DGR1 status, Australia-wide.
