Grant Opportunities

In support of the Mareeba Shire not-for-profit sector, Council monitors grant funding made available by other organisations.

The grant opportunities below provide key details about a selection of current and reoccurring grants with a community focus.

If you would like to be on the mailing list to receive Community Grant Alerts, please email info@msc.qld.gov.au or contact 1300 308 461.

ABC Future Fund Grants for Indigenous Organisations

Small Event / Activity Grant (up to $2,500), Larger Grant funding is also available

  • Eligibility: Open to Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations where over 50% of the workforce ownership/management and over 50% of grant beneficiaries are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
  • Focus Areas: On-Country Education, On-Country Care, and On-Country Research & Development. These programs should align with the ABC Foundation’s strategic priorities and have a measurable, lasting impact on Indigenous communities.
  • Purpose: Provides one-off funding for small-scale community events or activities that bring people together and create positive local impact.
  • Application Timing: Available year-round with project funding depending on the availability of the Future Fund. The ABC management committee reviews applications 2-3 times per year.

More Information:  Please visit Future Fund | ABC Foundation Ltd.

Practice in Community – Cohort 2 Expression of Interest Applications

A new initiative designed and delivered by Regional Arts Australia, supported by Minderoo Foundation.

By investing in artists themselves – not just their outcomes – Practice in Community is grounded in the belief that artists are essential to social change and to the thriving of regional communities. It supports the deep, relational work that builds trust, belonging and long-term community impact.

This national program puts creativity at the heart of community life by investing in independent artists working in Community Arts and Cultural Development (CACD). It gives regional artists the time, trust, and support to grow their practice, lead meaningful projects, build connections, share knowledge and strengthen a national network of artists driving social impact.

Applying for Practice in Community is a two-stage process, carefully designed to give artists the time and space to develop ideas in close partnership with their communities.

The first stage invites you to share your initial concept and vision, while the second stage provides the opportunity to refine your proposal with feedback, ensuring it truly reflects the needs, strengths, and aspirations of the community you want to work with.

Grant amount: $160,000 over two years
Who it’s for: Individual Community Arts and Cultural Development (CACD) artists working in regional, rural or remote Australia
Number of artists supported: 11 (across two funding rounds), Cohort 1: 5 artists started in 2026 (Learn more about Cohort 1),  Cohort 2: 6 artists starting in 2027
Program focus: Community Arts and Cultural Development (CACD)
EOI Dates: Cohort 2: EOI’s open Monday, 6 July 2026, EOIs close: Friday 7 August, 2026 

For more information or to apply please visit: Regional Arts Australia | Practice In Community

EOI Applications Close: Friday, 7 August 2026

Game On – Teaming up for Climate Action Grant Round

Clubs may be eligible to access funding for projects that:

  • upgrade facilities with energy efficient technologies like battery storage
  • improve their shade and drainage systems
  • enhance their resilience to extreme weather events

By making these upgrades, clubs can reduce their operating costs and reinvest savings into equipment and programs for grassroots sports.

Grants available from $25k to $100k

For more information or to apply, please visit: Forecast Opportunity View – FO2025-5550: GrantConnect

Closing date and time: 9:00 pm AEST on 28 July 2026
(Applications may close earlier than this date if funding capacity has been exceeded)

Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal

Strengthening Rural Communities

There are two streams of funding available within the Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) Program: Small and Vital and Prepare and Recover.

FRRR’s Small & Vital program supports thriving, resilient, and sustainable remote, rural and regional communities across Australia. In particular, priority will be given to projects that:

  • Support communities to implement generational transition;
  • Invest in outback, remote, and less resourced communities;
  • Build capacity and resourcing for a just and equitable energy transition;
  • Support First Nations-led initiatives that strengthen culture, country, economic participation, and reconciliation.
  • More Information: Strengthening Rural Communities — Small & Vital | FRRR
  • Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and assessed quarterly.

RAF Quick Response Grants, Flying Arts Alliance

RAF Quick Response Grants aim to support arts or cultural projects and individual professional development activities that cannot be funded by other means because of their nature of timing.  Regional artists, arts organisations and communities can apply for funding up to $3,000 for individuals and $5,000 for organisations, for expenses such as artist fees, travel costs, materials, venue and equipment hire, insurance and administrative costs. Quick response grants are open ten times per year not including December or January. The next rounds are:

CleanCO Community Futures Fund

  • CleanCo’s Community Futures Fund supports not-for-profit organisations, community services, First Nations initiatives, educational institutions, environmental associations and individuals.
  • Applicants can request sponsorships of up to $5,000 per round.
  • Applicants should be located within one of the following local government areas: Cairns, Tablelands, Ipswich, Mareeba Shire, Cassowary Coast, Rockhampton and Somerset.
  • Round 2 opening to be announced. 

For more information, please visit: Community Futures Fund | CleanCo Queensland

Mt Emerald Wind Farm – Community Enhancement Fund

Applications are accepted all year round and reviewed twice a year (post 31 January and 31 July) by a committee comprising local volunteers.

The fund is designed to share the financial benefits of the wind farm with not-for-profit groups, associations and clubs that make a positive difference to the local community.

Organisations with projects within a 50km radius of the Mt Emerald Wind Farm and 40km of the Windy Hill Wind Farm are eligible to apply for a grant from the fund.

The John Villiers Trust

The John Villiers Trust’s granting is aligned to the strategic goals of building partnerships and strategic relationships with communities.  Funding is available for charitable organisations with DGR status for projects that enhance the wellbeing and development of children and youth in rural Queensland and demonstrates potential outcomes across more than one area of social need e.g. health, social welfare, education, disability. Applications reviewed regularly, no closing dates.

More information: Home – The John Villiers Trust

Wettenhall Environment Trust, Small Environmental Grant Scheme

Grants support projects that enhance and maintain the vitality and diversity of the Australian natural living environment.

Grants between $2,000 and $15,000 are available through the Small Environmental Grant Scheme which supports flora and fauna conservation projects, including monitoring, community education, capacity building and research.

The next round is to be announced.

More information: Wettenhall Environment Trust

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