Major Initiative Grants
Major Initiative Grants support larger, longer-term initiatives that bring people and organisations together to respond to significant challenges or opportunities facing Tasmanian communities.
They are intended for work that requires sustained effort, strong collaboration and meaningful community involvement.
Status: Opening soon
EOIs open: September 2026
EOIs close: 15 November 2026
View grant guidelines (coming soon)
Submit an Expression of Interest through SmartyGrants (once the round opens)
What Major Initiatives will prioritise in 2026–27
For the 2026–27 funding round, TCF is particularly interested in Major Initiatives that:
- bring communities and organisations together to respond to important local challenges or opportunities;
- build the relationships, coordination and skills needed for communities to take action over the long term;
- help more people participate, feel included and connected; and
- develop, test or grow community-led approaches that can create lasting change.
Examples may include:
- local or regional partnerships working on shared challenges or opportunities;
- initiatives that help coordinate people and organisations;
- community-wide initiatives that increase participation and connection;
- partnerships across different sectors; and
- larger community gathering or social infrastructure projects where the physical space is part of a broader community-led response.
Community spaces, networks and connections
TCF may support the physical spaces, networks, relationships and ways of working that help communities connect, participate and take action together. These are sometimes described as social infrastructure.
This might include community gathering spaces, local or regional networks, or coordination between organisations where these are part of a broader response to a significant community challenge or opportunity.
Major Initiative funding is not a general building or infrastructure program. Where funding involves a building or physical space, it should be an important part of a broader community-led response. TCF is interested in what the space enables, such as stronger participation, connection, collaboration or community-led activity, rather than the infrastructure investment alone.
Standalone building projects, routine maintenance and infrastructure that would normally be the responsibility of government or local government will generally not be funded.
Tasmanian councils may apply for eligible community projects, but Major Initiative Grants are not intended to fund routine council infrastructure, services or responsibilities. Council-led proposals should demonstrate meaningful community involvement, collaboration and clear additional community benefit.
Funding available
Major Initiative Grants are available across three funding tiers, with projects able to run for up to seven years.
Tier 1 – Development and Demonstration: $100,000 to $400,000
For developing, testing or strengthening a promising collaborative approach.
Tier 2 – Expansion and Integration: $400,001 to $800,000
For expanding or embedding an approach that has already been tested.
Tier 3 – Transformational Investment: $800,001 to $1.5 million
For large-scale regional, statewide or system-level change.
Higher tiers will require stronger evidence, governance, partnerships, readiness and assurance.
How the process works
Major Initiative Grants use a two-stage application process.
Stage 1 – Expression of Interest
The first stage is a short Expression of Interest to help TCF understand the proposed initiative and decide whether it is a good fit and ready to progress.
Selected applicants will be invited to proceed to Stage 2.
Stage 2 – Final proposal
Applicants invited to Stage 2 will provide more detailed information about their proposed initiative.
The information required will depend on the size and complexity of the proposal.
Before you apply
Major Initiatives require significant planning and collaboration.
Read the grant guidelines carefully and contact the TCF team if you would like to discuss whether your proposal is a good fit before submitting an Expression of Interest.
Contact the TCF team