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: Open
EOIs open: 14 September 2026
EOIs close: 15 November 2026
View the 2026-27 Major Initiative Grant Guidelines - Stage 1 EOI
Submit a Major Initiative Expression of Interest
Applications are submitted online through SmartyGrants.
What Major Initiatives will prioritise in 2026–27
Major Initiatives should contribute to one or more of TCF’s 2026–27 priorities: participation, belonging and connection; community leadership, volunteering and skills; and local collaboration and community-led action.
Within these priorities, 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;
- strengthen the places and spaces that enable people to come together, participate and build community connection; and
- develop, test or grow community-led approaches that can create lasting change.
Examples may include:
- local or regional partnerships working together on a significant shared challenge or opportunity;
- initiatives that coordinate organisations, communities and services around a common goal;
- community-wide initiatives that increase participation, connection or belonging;
- cross-sector initiatives that bring together community organisations, government, philanthropy or other partners; and
- larger community gathering or 'social infrastructure' projects where the physical space is an important 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 Grants are not a general building, infrastructure or capital works funding 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 and routine maintenance will generally not be funded. Activities that are ordinarily the responsibility of government will only be considered where there is a clear rationale for TCF involvement, such as filling an identified gap, testing a new approach, extending community benefit or enabling stronger community involvement.
Tasmanian councils may apply for eligible Major Initiatives where proposals are strongly community-led and involve meaningful community participation and collaboration. Council infrastructure and capital works projects are not eligible for Major Initiative funding. TCF will also not fund routine council services or activities that form part of a council’s normal responsibilities.
Playgrounds and other infrastructure, capital works, refurbishment or facility upgrades located on school land are not eligible for Major Initiative funding, including where the applicant is an eligible school association.
Funding available
Major Initiative Grants are available across three funding tiers, with initiatives able to run for up to seven years.
Tier 1 – Development and Demonstration: $100,000 to $400,000
For developing, testing, demonstrating or strengthening a promising collaborative approach.
Tier 2 – Expansion and Integration: $400,001 to $800,000
For expanding, deepening or embedding an approach that has already been tested.
Tier 3 – Transformational Investment: $800,001 to $1.5 million
For significant regional, statewide or system-level change.
All funding ranges are exclusive of GST. Applicants must enter the indicative amount of TCF funding sought excluding GST. Where a grant is subject to GST, TCF will apply GST separately in accordance with the funding agreement.
Higher tiers will require stronger evidence, governance, partnerships, readiness and assurance.
How the application 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 (EOI) to help TCF understand the proposed initiative and decide whether it is a good fit and ready to progress.
EOIs will be assessed against the published Stage 1 assessment criteria.
Selected applicants will be invited to proceed to Stage 2 in early 2027.
Stage 2 – Final proposal
Applicants invited to Stage 2 will be asked to provide more detailed information about their proposed initiative. The information required will depend on the size, complexity and risk of the proposal.
Stage 2 applications will then be assessed against the published Stage 2 assessment criteria. Following assessment, the TCF Board will decide which Stage 2 applications will receive an offer of funding, subject to any conditions and entering into a funding agreement with TCF.
This stage is expected to be completed by June 2027.
Before you apply
Eligible applicants include incorporated not-for-profit organisations, not-for-profit companies, Tasmanian councils, eligible school associations and unincorporated groups applying through an eligible auspice organisation.
Schools and colleges cannot apply directly. An eligible school association may apply in its own name for an eligible initiative, but funding is not available for core school operations, curriculum delivery, routine education activities or infrastructure and facility upgrades on school land.
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.