Open Call for Veteran Community Grants Program (Australia)

Deadline: 11-Nov-2026

The Veteran Community Grants Program (VCGP) provides funding for projects that improve the wellbeing of veterans and their families while promoting community understanding of military service in New South Wales. The program supports community projects that commemorate military service, educate the public, and strengthen support networks for veterans. Grants of up to $3,000 are available for Category 1–3 projects, while Category 4 projects can receive up to $10,000. A total of $205,000 is available through the program.

About the Veteran Community Grants Program

The Veteran Community Grants Program is designed to support veterans and their families across New South Wales.

It funds initiatives that:

- Enhance veteran wellbeing. - Support veterans and their families. - Commemorate military service and sacrifice. - Educate communities about the contributions of military personnel. - Encourage greater understanding of veterans’ experiences. - Build community engagement and support networks. The program recognizes the important role communities can play in supporting veterans and preserving awareness of military service. What Does the Program Support? Priority is given to projects that provide clear benefits to veterans, their families, and the wider community.

Priority areas include:

- Projects that directly benefit veterans and their families. - Projects with strong community support. - Minor repairs to community infrastructure. - Small equipment purchases that support community engagement. - Projects located in regional New South Wales. - Activities acknowledging significant military anniversaries. Projects should demonstrate a clear connection to veteran wellbeing, military commemoration, community education, or engagement. Grant Amount The amount available depends on the project category.

- Category 1–3: Up to $3,000 per project.

- Category 4: Up to $10,000 per project.

- Total program funding: $205,000.

Applicants should ensure that the amount requested is appropriate for the proposed activities and demonstrates a clear community benefit. Who Can Apply? The program is open to a broad range of applicants operating within New South Wales.

Eligible applicants include:

- Individuals. - Ex-service organisations. - Incorporated not-for-profit community organisations. - NSW local councils. - Not-for-profit companies limited by guarantee. - Indigenous Corporations. - NSW Local Aboriginal Land Councils. - Religious organisations. - Non-government organisations established under their own Act of Parliament. - NSW Government agencies. - Educational institutions. Applicants must operate within New South Wales. Priority for Regional NSW Projects based in regional New South Wales receive priority under the program. This recognizes the importance of strengthening veteran support and community engagement beyond major metropolitan areas and ensuring that veterans and their families in regional communities can benefit from locally delivered initiatives. Community Engagement and Military Commemoration The program supports projects that help communities understand and recognize military service.

Activities may contribute to:

- Commemorating military anniversaries. - Recognizing the service and sacrifice of military personnel. - Educating local communities about military history and service. - Creating opportunities for veterans and community members to connect. - Strengthening local support networks. Projects that combine community participation with meaningful recognition of military service may be particularly relevant to the program. Infrastructure and Equipment Support The VCGP can prioritize projects involving minor infrastructure repairs and small equipment purchases where these activities contribute to community engagement.

Applicants should clearly explain:

- What needs to be repaired or purchased. - Why the improvement is necessary. - How it will benefit veterans or the community. - How the proposed expenditure supports the project’s objectives. Significant Military Anniversaries Projects that acknowledge significant military anniversaries are another priority area. These initiatives can help communities remember important events in military history while creating opportunities for veterans, families, and community members to participate in commemorative activities. How to Prepare a Strong Application A strong application should clearly demonstrate how the proposed project will benefit veterans, their families, or the wider community.

Applicants should:

- Clearly describe the project and its purpose. - Explain the expected benefits for veterans and families. - Demonstrate community support. - Provide a realistic project budget. - Explain how equipment or infrastructure expenditure supports the project. - Highlight regional benefits where applicable. - Explain any connection with a significant military anniversary. - Show how the project will promote understanding of military service. Projects with a clear community impact and strong connection to the program’s priorities are likely to be more competitive. Why the Veteran Community Grants Program Matters Veterans and their families can benefit from strong local connections, community understanding, and accessible support networks. The Veteran Community Grants Program helps communities develop practical initiatives that improve wellbeing while recognizing the contribution and sacrifice of military personnel. By supporting community organizations, councils, educational institutions, ex-service groups, and other eligible applicants, the program encourages locally based approaches to veteran support and military commemoration. Frequently Asked Questions What is the Veteran Community Grants Program? The Veteran Community Grants Program is a New South Wales funding program that supports projects improving veteran wellbeing and promoting community understanding of military service. How much funding is available? Category 1–3 projects c