Help shape TCF's future direction
The Tasmanian Community Fund is seeking feedback on its draft Strategic Plan and proposed funding approach.
Over the past twelve months, the TCF Board and staff have undertaken a period of reflection and review. Through independent stakeholder consultation, an external governance and grant-making review, and conversations with grant recipients, applicants, community organisations and sector leaders, we asked:
How can TCF make the greatest possible contribution to stronger Tasmanian communities over the coming decade?
The draft Strategic Plan has been informed by what we heard.
Before the Board finalises the Plan, we want to test whether we have listened well, responded appropriately, and captured the priorities that matter most to Tasmania’s communities.
Consultation now open
TCF is inviting feedback on its draft Strategic Plan and proposed funding approach.
Complete the feedback survey: https://forms.office.com/r/KYNAuQwe6f
Consultation closes: 31 July 2026
Email feedback or written submissions to: admin@tascomfund.org
Your feedback will help the Board refine the final Strategic Plan before it is adopted.
What we heard so far
Stakeholders told us that the Fund remains highly valued and continues to play a unique role in Tasmania.
They also told us there are opportunities to improve.
Across the consultation and review process we have undertaken so far, several themes emerged consistently:
- people want greater transparency in how funding decisions are made
- funding processes should be simpler, clearer and more accessible
- the Fund’s approach should reflect the broad intent of the Tasmanian Community Fund Act
- relationships with communities should be built on partnership, trust and collaboration
- funding should remain accessible to organisations of different sizes, locations and levels of capability
- the Fund should be responsive to changing community needs while continuing to provide lasting benefit to Tasmania.
These themes have shaped the draft Strategic Plan and the proposed changes to how TCF funding is structured and delivered.
What is proposed
The Fund’s core purpose remains unchanged: to provide lasting benefit to Tasmanian communities.
The draft Strategic Plan proposes a more intentional approach to funding, with clearer pathways for different types of community work.
Over time, TCF has received requests for support across a wide range of purposes, from local community projects and volunteer-led activities through to leadership development, collaboration across sectors, and larger long-term community challenges.
These different types of work often require different forms of support.
Rather than expecting one grant program to meet every need, the proposed approach introduces clearer funding pathways designed to better match funding with purpose, scale and intended community benefit.
Proposed funding pathways
The proposed funding approach includes four main pathways.
Community Action Grants
For practical, community-led projects and activities that respond to local needs and opportunities.
These grants are intended to support communities to take action, strengthen participation, and deliver clear benefits at a local level.
Capability Building Grants
For activities that strengthen the capability of people, organisations and communities.
This may include leadership, governance, skills development, planning, collaboration, learning, or other activities that help communities and organisations become stronger over time.
Major Initiative Grants
For larger, longer-term initiatives that address significant community challenges or opportunities.
These grants are intended for work that requires deeper planning, stronger partnerships, and a longer timeframe to create lasting community benefit.
Grants in Focus
For targeted funding opportunities that respond to specific priorities identified by the Board.
This pathway allows the Fund to focus attention on important issues or opportunities while still working within the broader direction of the Strategic Plan.
What is changing?
The proposed changes are designed to make TCF’s funding approach clearer, fairer and easier to navigate.
| Current approach | Proposed approach |
|---|---|
| Broad grant programs supporting many different types of activity | Clearer funding pathways for different purposes, scales and outcomes |
| Applicants sometimes unsure which grant opportunity best fits their idea | Clearer guidance about where different ideas belong |
| Similar processes often used for different types of grants | More proportionate processes based on grant size, purpose and risk |
| Strategy, funding priorities and grant programs not always clearly connected | Stronger alignment between the Strategic Plan, funding pathways and intended community benefit |
| Reporting and acquittal requirements could feel difficult or disproportionate | A stronger focus on fair, practical and proportionate requirements |
| Limited clarity about how different forms of community benefit are valued | Greater emphasis on lasting benefit, community capability, trust, access and impact |
The aim is not to make funding more complicated.
The aim is to make it easier for communities and organisations to understand what TCF funds, why we fund it, and how different types of work can contribute to stronger Tasmanian communities.
What else is being reviewed?
The draft Strategic Plan forms part of a broader program of renewal.
Alongside the strategic planning process, the Board has been reviewing:
- governance arrangements
- grant assessment processes
- stakeholder engagement
- audit and acquittal requirements
- the overall experience of applicants and funding recipients.
Together, these changes are intended to ensure that:
- the Fund remains true to the intent of the Tasmanian Community Fund Act
- funding processes are fair, transparent and proportionate
- communities can access and acquit funding more easily
- the Fund is responsive to changing community needs
- relationships are built on trust, respect and partnership
- the long-term benefit of the Fund is strengthened for future generations of Tasmanians.
Draft documents
The following draft documents are available for review:
- Draft Strategic Plan 2026–2030 (pdf)
- Draft Funding Framework (pdf)
- TCF 2026-2030 Proposed Funding Approach diagram (pdf)
- How TCF Creates Value diagram (pdf)
What feedback are we seeking?
The draft Strategic Plan and proposed funding approach are not yet finalised.
This consultation is about testing our thinking before the Plan is adopted.
We want to hear your views on:
- whether the draft Strategic Plan reflects what stakeholders told us
- whether the proposed direction is in line with the intent of the Tasmanian Community Fund Act
- whether the proposed funding pathways are clear and understandable
- whether the proposed approach will make TCF funding easier to access
- whether there are gaps, barriers or unintended consequences we have missed
- whether the right priorities have been identified
- how TCF can strengthen fairness, accessibility, impact and community benefit
- what should be refined before the Strategic Plan is finalised.
Complete the feedback survey
The easiest way to provide feedback is to complete the online survey.
Complete the survey: https://forms.office.com/r/KYNAuQwe6f
You are welcome to respond as an individual, organisation, grant recipient, applicant, community member, peak body, government agency or other stakeholder.
You do not need to answer every question. We encourage you to respond to the areas that are most relevant to your experience.
Written submissions can also be emailed to: admin@tascomfund.org
Consultation timeline
| Stage | Timing |
| Review and stakeholder consultation undertaken | 2025–2026 |
| Draft Strategic Plan released for feedback | June 2026 |
| Consultation closes | 31 July 2026 |
| Feedback reviewed by TCF Board | August 2026 |
| Final Strategic Plan adopted | August 2026 |
| New funding approach implemented | from September 2026 |
How your feedback will be used
Feedback received through this consultation will be reviewed by TCF staff and provided to the Board to inform final changes to the Strategic Plan and Funding Framework.
The Board will consider the feedback before adopting the final Strategic Plan.
A summary of consultation themes may also be published following the consultation period.
While not every suggestion may be adopted, all feedback will help test whether the proposed direction is clear, practical, fair and aligned with the needs of Tasmanian communities.
Looking forward
The Tasmanian Community Fund was established to provide lasting benefit to Tasmanian communities.
As communities change, the Fund must continue to listen, learn and adapt.
The Board sees the draft Strategic Plan as an opportunity to strengthen the Fund’s role, improve the experience of those who engage with it, and ensure the benefits of the Fund remain accessible to Tasmanians for many years to come.
Your feedback will help shape the final Plan and the next chapter of the Tasmanian Community Fund.