2026 Community & Social Cohesion Small Grant Round

The PMF Foundation's 2026 Small Grant Program focuses on strengthening community and social cohesion across the G21 region, supporting projects that bring people together, foster inclusion, and improve social wellbeing.

Open to organisations delivering activities within the G21 region, the program provides grants of up to $20,000 for community-led initiatives that address barriers to participation, reduce social isolation, and create stronger, more connected communities.

Through this grant round, PMF Foundation is seeking innovative projects that demonstrate a clear community need, deliver measurable social impact, and contribute to building more inclusive, resilient communities. We look forward to partnering with organisations that are creating lasting positive change across the region.

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Key Information

  • Applications open: Wednesday 12 August 2026, 10:00am (AEST)

  • Applications close: Wednesday 9 September 2026, 10:00am (AEST)

  • Grants of up to $20,000 are available.

  • Applications are open to organisations delivering activities within the G21 region, including the City of Greater Geelong, Borough of Queenscliffe, Golden Plains Shire, Surf Coast Shire and Colac-Otway Shire.

  • Projects must align with the program's focus on strengthening community connection, fostering inclusion, and improving social wellbeing.

  • Late applications will not be accepted.

  • No face-to-face or online meetings will be offered during the application period.

  • Applicants will be notified of the outcome via email.

  • Due to the anticipated volume of applications, individual feedback will not be provided.

Funding Assessment

  • Applications will be assessed by the PMF Foundation assessment panel.

  • All applications will be reviewed against the objectives and criteria of the 2026 Community and Social Cohesion Small Grant Program.

  • The assessment panel will consider:

    • Alignment with the program's focus on strengthening community connection, fostering inclusion, and improving social wellbeing.

    • The demonstrated community need and potential social impact.

    • The organisation's capacity to successfully deliver the proposed project.

    • Potential for lasting community impact.

  • Funding recommendations will be made in accordance with the PMF Foundation's Funding Principles.

  • The assessment panel's decisions are final.

Small Grant Round Guidelines

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for funding, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Applicants must be endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient 1 (DGR1) or have a confirmed auspice arrangement with an organisation that holds DGR1 status.

  • Applicants (or their confirmed auspice organisation) must be registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) and have current and up-to-date reporting on the ACNC register.

  • Organisations may submit one application to the Small Grant Program.

  • Auspice organisations may auspice one additional application in addition to submitting their own application.

  • Activities must be delivered within the G21 region, including the City of Greater Geelong, Borough of Queenscliffe, Golden Plains Shire, Surf Coast Shire or Colac-Otway Shire.

  • This Small Grant Program is open to organisations across all funding areas and is not restricted to PMF Foundation's Major Grant focus areas.

  • Projects must be delivered within a 12-month period from the date grant funding is received.

Funding Parameters

  • Grants of between $1,000 and $20,000 are available.

  • Funding applications may support:

    • Organisational activities.

    • New or existing program delivery.

    • New or existing projects.

    • Capacity-building initiatives.

  • Grant funding may be used for:

    • Operational expenses.

    • Salary costs.

    • Capital expenditure.

    • A combination of eligible expenses.

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