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Our funding model

We partner with impact-focused charities to create positive, lasting change in our regional communities.

Annual Grassroots Grants

Through our annual Grassroots Grants round we aim to distribute approximately $500,000 annually to support eligible charities delivering meaningful outcomes in our local communities. These grants are designed to support small-scale initiatives that can be delivered within 12 months to create meaningful impact.

Grassroots Grants

Funding for community-led initiatives that support the health and social wellbeing of communities in regional NSW.

  • Funding available:  Between $25,000 - $50,000 (inc GST)

Grassroots Volunteer Grant

One standalone grant is available for a charity that relies on volunteers. The recipient will be required to allocate funds towards the volunteer experience through capacity building. This includes training or mentoring, volunteer program development and recruitment, or relevant system enhancements.

  • Funding available:  $25,000 (inc GST)

Grant round timeline

  • Applications open: 1 October 2025
  • Applications close: 31 October 2025
  • Successful applicants notified: March 2026
  • Grants paid: June 2026.

Note: applicants can apply for both grant categories. Only one grant will be awarded.

Before you apply

Multi-Year Partnerships

Multi-Year Partnerships support initiatives designed to create big impact, with the funding provided over a period of two to three years.

We approach and invite eligible charitable organisations that align with our funding principles and areas of impact to apply for these partnerships.

While we are unable to accept unsolicited applications, eligible charities may provide a short organisational overview for our reference.

Frequently asked questions

We approach and invite eligible charitable organisations that align with our funding principles and areas of impact to apply for Multi-Year Partnerships. The partnership experience for multi-year grants is broken down into five phases and designed to guide applicants from initial investigation through to onboarding and ongoing partnership.

1. Investigation

We apply a robust research framework to understand community needs and ensure our funding is directed where it’s needed most.

2. Exploration

We engage with eligible charities whose work aligns with our funding principles and areas of impact to explore potential partnership opportunities.

3. Application

The application process has two stages. Charities identified during the exploration phase are invited to submit a Pitch for assessment and endorsement by our Board. Following endorsement, they are then invited to submit a full Proposal. We apply a structured assessment framework and due diligence process before seeking final Board approval.

4. Partnership                  

Successful applicants are onboarded through a process that clearly outlines reporting requirements and explores opportunities for collaboration and engagement throughout the grant period.

 5. Aftercare

 Although partnerships formally conclude with an acquittal report, we continue to engage with former partners to gather feedback and explore future collaboration opportunities where relevant.

We approach eligible charities to apply for Multi-Year Partnerships. If you're an eligible charity and would like to introduce your work to our Foundation, you're welcome to get in touch by email. 

When reaching out, it’s helpful to include your charity’s ABN, along with a brief overview of your purpose, location, and the impact you're making in your community.

Smaller charities may prefer to begin by applying for a Grassroots Grant. We approach eligible charities aligned with our values, impact areas, and geographic footprint for Multi-Year Partnerships.

More FAQs

Eligibility and exclusions

To be eligible to receive any grant from our Foundation, your charity must:

You can check your DGR and TCC status by going to the Australian Government’s Business Register website.

To ensure our funding creates the greatest impact and remains aligned to our purpose, we are unable to consider funding for the following*:

  • General sponsorship, fundraising activities, and disaster appeals
  • Unsolicited emergency relief and material aid requests
  • Individual support, including personal travel, study, or medical expenses
  • Commercial activities not aimed at advancing charitable purpose and impact
  • One-time events, festivals, or community activities that are not intended for continuation or directly linked to delivering lasting impact
  • Activities outside the specified funding footprint
  • Projects considered the responsibility of government or local authorities
  • Applications from organisations with unmet responsibilities under past funding agreements
  • Retrospective funding requests
  • Requests for initiatives delivered under auspicing arrangements
  • Endowments, memorials, or named academic chairs
  • Political or religious projects, including lobbying and litigation
  • If your organisation is already funded by one of the NGM Group Foundations - Greater Charitable Foundation or Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation - and/or has not formally acquitted your initiative, you won’t be able to apply for another grant at this time.
  • Large scale capital appeals or projects, although we may consider funding infrastructure or portions of capital costs deemed essential to the long-term sustainability of the organisation's services and/or integral to delivering on the program’s objectives/meaningful impact.  This may include vehicles. 

*This list is not exhaustive; contact the Foundation regarding your specific initiative if not specified

Our purpose

We are committed to creating positive, lasting impact in our communities. Our partnerships are grounded in mutual respect, shared purpose and a desire to see people and communities thrive.

Areas of impact

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