Grants

Overview

Annual Community Grants are the core of the Foundation’s investments. These grants are provided to projects that demonstrate their contribution to social cohesion by addressing one of these two key focus areas raised by the community:

1. Building Pathways to Employment; or
2. Increasing applied English Literacy. 

The Foundation welcomes innovative approaches under both funding categories.

How much funding is available? Organisations can apply for a maximum amount of $30,000 for their project. 

Please note: For the 2025-26 Annual Community Grants round, the Scanlon Foundation will prioritise applications and proposals from regional and rural communities or organisations supporting migrant and/or multicultural communities in regional areas. 

Building Pathways to Employment

This grant looks to actively support people into employment, working directly with first and second generation Australians who are unemployed or underemployed, and struggle to access jobs and training support. We aim to foster connections and strengthen communities by engaging local businesses with potential employees living in their area. 

Please note: This year the Building Pathways to Employment category includes social enterprises and business entrepreneurship models but excludes projects that only target high school/secondary school students.

Applicants must address the five key criteria outlined below in their application:

• Employment pathways
• Local business engagement
• Mentors
• Diverse groups
• Needs analysis

Increasing applied English Literacy

Grants in this category target English literacy initiatives. Specifically, programs that teach applied and conversational English that can be used in both day-to-day and work environments. This funding supports people who are not linked to other supports and experience difficulties in articulating their needs or communicating in English with others (e.g. adults and parents with carer duties and older generation migrants.)

Please note: This category of funding excludes programs that are focussed solely on high school/secondary school students. 

Applicants should address the five key criteria outlined below in their application:

• Literacy
• Targeted design
• Everyday Teachings and Application
• Practice with Fluent English speakers 
• Childcare (how will applicants consider childcare needs of participants)

Important information for Applicants

• Opening Date: Monday 21 July 2025
• Closing Date: Friday 29 August 2025
• Online Information Session: Monday 4 August 2025 at 1pm (AEST)

If you are unable to attend, we will upload a link to the recorded webinar after the session.   

Click on the link below to login to the SmartyGrants website and proceed with your application when the grant opens:

https://scanlonfoundation.smartygrants.com.au/ACG2025

Who Can Apply

Any organisation with DGR1 status, Australia-wide.

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/2025-african-australian-creative-media-grant/