Community Action Grants
Community Action Grants support practical, locally led projects that strengthen participation, connection, belonging, volunteering and community life.
They are designed to make funding accessible for local organisations and groups wanting to take action on the needs and opportunities they identify in their communities.
Status: Opening soon
Opens: 14 September 2026
Closes: 15 November 2026
View the 2026-27 Community Action grant guidelines
Apply through SmartyGrants (once the grant round opens)
What Community Action Grants will prioritise in 2026–27
For the 2026–27 funding round, priority will be given to projects that contribute to one or more of the following areas:
- Participation, belonging and connection – creating opportunities for people to take part in community life, build relationships, feel included and strengthen their sense of belonging.
- Community leadership, volunteering and skills – supporting the people, volunteers and local leaders who help communities organise, contribute and take action.
- Local collaboration and community-led action – helping communities respond to local needs and opportunities, including through stronger relationships and people working together.
Within these priorities, TCF is also particularly interested in projects that strengthen community places and spaces where people can come together, participate and build connection.
Projects do not need to address all three priority areas. What matters is that the project has a clear fit with Community Action Grants and creates meaningful benefit for the community.
Examples may include:
- a small volunteer-led project to run a new local activity, recruit participants or strengthen an existing community group;
- equipment or a small improvement to a community space that enables new or expanded community activities;
- a series of activities that brings people together across a neighbourhood, town or community and strengthens connection and belonging;
- a project that removes barriers to participation for people who are less able to take part in community life;
- a larger local program that coordinates volunteers, partners or community organisations to respond to an identified need or opportunity;
- a community-led initiative delivered over one or two years that combines activities, engagement, staffing and partnerships to create a broader local benefit.
Community spaces and facilities
TCF recognises that community spaces are important places for people to meet, connect, volunteer and take part in community life.
Funding may support small-scale infrastructure or equipment where it is a necessary part of a broader community project and helps create clear community benefit.
Infrastructure or equipment should enable the project, rather than be the main purpose of the project itself. TCF will generally not fund projects where the main purpose is simply to purchase, replace or upgrade an organisational asset.
Funding may support small improvements to community facilities where they will clearly help more people use the space or participate in community activities.
This might include improvements that:
- make a space easier to access;
- allow more people or groups to use it;
- support new community activities; or
- make an important community gathering place more useful.
TCF will generally not fund routine maintenance, asset replacement or work that would ordinarily be the responsibility of government, unless there is a clear rationale for TCF involvement and additional community benefit.
Council infrastructure and capital works projects are not eligible for Community Action funding.
Where the applicant does not own the property, TCF may require evidence of appropriate tenure or use arrangements and written permission from the property owner.
Events
TCF may support events that create new or expanded opportunities for people to participate, connect, feel included or volunteer.
TCF will generally not fund an established or recurring festival, celebration or community event simply to help it run again.
Existing events may still be considered where TCF funding will create clear additional community benefit, such as reaching new participants, improving accessibility or inclusion, introducing a significant new activity or strengthening community involvement.
Funding available
Community Action Grants are available in two categories:
Small grants – $5,000 to $15,000
For smaller projects with a simpler application and assessment process.
Standard grants – $15,001 to $50,000
For larger or more complex community projects requiring a greater level of planning and information.
The requirements for each category are proportionate to the amount of funding being sought and the complexity and risk of the project.
Before you apply
Read the grant guidelines to check eligibility, assessment criteria and the information you will need to provide.
If you are unsure whether Community Action is the right fit for your idea, contact the TCF team.