2026 Heathcote and Nagambie Grants Program – CEF (Australia)

Deadline: 31-Dec-2026

The 2026 Heathcote & Nagambie Grants Program supports incorporated community and not-for-profit organisations delivering projects that benefit communities in the Heathcote, Nagambie, and surrounding areas. Funding can support initiatives across areas including community resilience, animal welfare, health, education, environment, housing, safety, digital inclusion, skills development, and social cohesion. What Is the 2026 Heathcote & Nagambie Grants Program? The 2026 Heathcote & Nagambie Grants Program provides funding for community projects and local initiatives that deliver positive social, environmental, health, educational, cultural, or community outcomes. The program is intended to support initiatives that address local needs and strengthen the wellbeing, resilience, inclusion, and development of communities in the Heathcote and Nagambie regions. Projects should demonstrate a clear connection to the program’s social purpose objectives and provide meaningful benefits to the local community. What Are the Program’s Priority Areas? The program supports projects across a broad range of social purpose areas, including: The emphasis is on projects that create local, practical, and measurable community outcomes. Who Is Eligible? Applicants should ideally be residents or organisations based in Heathcote, Nagambie, or surrounding areas.

Eligible applicants generally include:

Incorporated community organisations. Incorporated not-for-profit organisations. Community groups working with an eligible incorporated organisation. Unincorporated organisations that have an incorporated community or not-for-profit organisation as a project partner. An eligible partner is important for an unincorporated group because the incorporated organisation must be able to enter into the funding agreement and help deliver the project. Applicants must also have a valid Australian bank account. Special Eligibility Rules for Sporting and Cultural Grants Different eligibility conditions apply to sporting and cultural grants.

For these grants:

Applicants must be amateur student competitors. Applicants must be aged 21 or under. The applicant must be a member of a club or organisation. The club or organisation must submit the application together with the applicant. Therefore, individual sporting or cultural applicants should ensure that their club or eligible organisation is involved in the application. Who Is Not Eligible? The following applicants or projects are generally ineligible: Individuals without an eligible incorporated project partner. Unincorporated organisations without an eligible project partner. For-profit organisations. Applicants or project partners receiving an unsatisfactory Anti-Money Laundering/Know Your Customer result. Projects that take place outside the program’s geographic area. Projects providing private rather than community benefits. Commercial projects. Illegal activities. Projects involving prohibited activities or costs. What Can Grant Funding Support? Funding can support projects that contribute to the program’s social purpose outcomes. Projects must also operate within the program’s eligible geographic area. What Are the Requirements for Small Grants? For a small grant of less than $10,000, applicants are required to provide the supporting documentation specified by the program. Applicants should ensure that all required documents are prepared before submitting their application. Supporting information may be used to demonstrate: Applicant eligibility. Organisational status. Project purpose. Project budget. Community benefit.

Partnership arrangements, where applicable

Banking and compliance information. How to Apply for the 2026 Heathcote & Nagambie Grants Program

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Confirm that your organisation:

Is incorporated as a community or not-for-profit organisation; or Has an eligible incorporated organisation as a project partner. Has a valid Australian bank account. Is connected to Heathcote, Nagambie, or the surrounding area. Can satisfy the required compliance checks.

Step 2: Identify the Community Need

Clearly explain the local problem or opportunity your project will address.

For example, you could describe:

A gap in community services. A local environmental challenge. Limited access to skills or education. A need for greater community resilience. A health or wellbeing issue. A digital inclusion challenge.

Step 3: Explain the Project

Describe what you plan to do and who will benefit.

Include:

Project activities. Target beneficiaries. Location. Expected timeframe. Project outcomes. Community partners.

Step 4: Connect the Project to a Priority Area

Explain which social purpose area your project addresses.

For example:

Environmental: A community initiative designed to improve local environmental outcomes.

Learning and skills: A program helping community members develop practical skills.

Community resilience: An initiative designed to strengthen local preparedness and recovery capacity.

Step 5: Prepare the Budget and Supporting Documents

Prepare a clear project budget and provide the required supporting documentation. For small grants below $10,000, make sure all documentation requested by the program is included.

Step 6: Submit the Application

Review the application carefully before submission.

Check that:

All required fields are completed. Supporting documents are attached. The project is located within the eligible area. Costs are eligible. The project does not involve prohibited activities.

Partnership information is included if the applicant is unincorporated

Tips for a Strong Application A competitive application should focus on clear community need and measurable outcomes. Clearly explain the problem your project addresses. Identify who will benefit. Demonstrate local community involvement. Connect the project to one or more priority areas. Provide a realistic and transparent budget. Explain how funding will directly support project