Grants

The Scanlon Foundation provides support to organisations working to improve Australia’s social cohesion in areas where there is the greatest need.

Introduction

Since 2001, the Scanlon Foundation has been distributing grants to build Australia’s social cohesion and to support the transition of those who come to make Australia home.

Grant Types

Annual Community Grants Program 2026-27

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 we made changes 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.

Direct to Community Grants 2026-27

Overview

The Scanlon Foundation also funds projects and initiatives that contribute to social cohesion across Australia. We support initiatives that enhance our vision and mission.

Our Mission

Our mission is to work with communities, systems and institutions to support those who come to make Australia home. We celebrate our collective strengths and address those barriers that stand in the way of allowing everyone to contribute and participate fully in Australian life.

Our Vision

To support Australia to continue to build upon its strong foundation of diversity.

We welcome grant proposals that align with our core purpose to work with systems and institutions to support people who migrate to Australia and make it their home.

Our priority is to provide direct-to-community support by funding capacity building initiatives and community created innovations or models.

We also welcome proposals that support migrants and multicultural communities to participate in and contribute to life in regional/rural areas across Australia.

Key Dates

There are no set dates for this grant category.

Who Can Apply

This is an Australia-wide open grant round and is available to any community organisations, associations or groups that are actively working in this space.

Process

Organisations may apply from 1 July 2026 via SmartyGrants by following the link below:

https://scanlonfoundation.smartygrants.com.au/GEFY27

African Australian Creative Media Grants

Overview

The African Australian Creative Media Grants is an open grant round that supports African Australian platforms, individuals and organisations that operate in screen media, visual arts, podcasting, radio and written media. Through this grant we seek to amplify the voices and stories of African Australia creatives.

Over the last 2 years the Scanlon Foundation partnered with the Ubuntu Project to administer this grant program.

Ubuntu Project is a Victoria based community led organisation committed to improving outcomes for Australia’s diverse African communities.

For more information about the grant, please visit https://ubp.org.au/2026-african-australian-creative-media-grant/

Frequently Asked Questions

We do not have Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status, can we still apply or get another organisation to auspice the grant for us?

We can only provide grants to organisations with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) 1 status. Your organisation is welcome to partner with an organisation who has DGR 1 status (auspice).

Does the Scanlon Foundation prefer to provide funding strictly for a 12-month period?

Annual Community Grants are intended for a single year grant. There is no restriction on an organisation applying more than once.

Are local government bodies eligible to apply for your Community Grants Program?

Yes, local government bodies are welcome to apply for specific projects through our Annual Community Grants program. The local government body will need to have DGR1 status.