We’re excited to launch our Connected Communities Grant Round, a partnership between Hands Across Canberra and GreaterGood.

Local organisations can apply for small grants of up to $3,000, from a joint funding pool of $48,000 provided by the Joan Wilson Memorial Fund (care of GreaterGood) and Hands Across Canberra. These grants will support locally led projects that foster social connection, belonging, and vibrant “third spaces” — places where people come together, strengthen community ties, and help reduce loneliness.

Projects should demonstrate a clear social purpose by relieving human need — for example, supporting people experiencing isolation, hardship, or disadvantage — and helping those doing it tough to feel supported and connected. Priority will be given to initiatives reaching those most at risk of isolation, including older people, young adults, carers, new arrivals, and people on low incomes.

About the Funders and Partnership

This grant round celebrates a strong partnership between Hands Across Canberra and GreaterGood, uniting two of Canberra’s key philanthropic organisations in a collaborative model that mirrors the Connected Communities initiative, aligning expertise and purpose to strengthen the community together.

The Joan Wilson Memorial Fund was established through Joan Wilson’s generous bequest after her passing, transforming her open-ended estate gift into a perpetual source of community support via careful investment by GreaterGood.

GreaterGood, a public charitable foundation founded in 2003, manages personalized donor-advised endowments like this one—preserving capital to generate ongoing income for local causes.

Funds used in this grant round by Hands Across Canberra have been raised throughout the year during appeals, through our Local Heroes corporate programme, and from generous named fund holders. We pool these resources to power meaningful annual grants.

Funding Available

A total of $48,000 is available for this grant round. Individual grants are capped at $3,000.

Project Completion

All funded projects must be completed within 12 months of receiving the grant.

Eligibility

Applications are welcomed from registered charitable organisations* operating in Canberra and the nearby region.

*If your organisation is not a registered charity, you must partner with an eligible auspicing organisation to apply for this grant. Details on auspicing arrangements should be included in your application.

Indicative activities

Projects should meaningfully relieve human need and help those doing it tough to feel supported, included, and connected.

• Intergenerational and cross‑community initiatives: programs that bring different age groups or communities together through shared activities.
• Creative and participatory projects: arts, storytelling, music, walking or hobby‑based groups as low‑barrier ways to connect.
• Neighbourhood gatherings: community gatherings, “meet your neighbour” initiatives.
• Third spaces and micro‑infrastructure: small‑scale improvements that make community spaces more welcoming and easier to use for gatherings.
• Volunteer‑led connection programs supporting local volunteers to host connection‑focused activities.

Assessment Criteria

Applications are reviewed against the following criteria:

• Alignment with grant priorities
  Demonstrates clear fit with fostering social connection, belonging, and third spaces while relieving human need for those at risk of isolation (e.g., older people, carers, low-income groups).

• Unmet need and rationale
  Identifies a specific, evidence-based gap in community connection, with rationale showing how the project supports people doing it tough (not just gatherings for the sake of gatherings).

• Potential impact
  Outlines realistic outcomes.

• Feasibility and budget
  Realistic plan, balanced budget ≤$3,000, clear timelines, and project completion within 12 months.

• Community involvement
  Evidence of local support or collaboration.

Timeline:

• Application Period: March 4, 2026 – April 1, 2026
• Funding Decisions Announced: May, 2026
• Grant Funding Disbursed: June 2026

Application Process:

This is a one-step application process.

All applications must be submitted via the online grants portal: Logon Page – Grant Lifecycle Manager (grantinterface.com.au)

• New Users: Please click on “Create New Account” to complete the brief registration process and create your logon credentials.
• Existing Users: If you have applied for a grant with Hands Across Canberra, the Chief Minister’s Charitable Fund or the Canberra Foundations Collaborative in the last 4 years you should already have a username and password to access the portal. If you have forgotten your password please request a new one by clicking the “Forgot your password?” link under the logon prompts.

Acquittal & Impact 

To acquit the grant, Hands Across Canberra requires:

1. A statement of expenditure signed by the CEO or equivalent
2. A brief statement (one to two sentences) describing the grant’s impact
3. A photograph illustrating the grant’s impact for sharing with the funders

Additional Resources:

• Check out the latest Living Well in the ACT Report (2019–2024) for insights into Canberrans’ changing wellbeing:
  Living Well in the ACT Region

• Explore our NFP Collaborative Innovation Forum on Ending Loneliness in Canberra for ideas and sector insights:

Not for Profit Collaborative Innovation Forum: Ending Loneliness in Canberra

 

Contact Information:

For any questions regarding this grant round, please contact Julia (julia@handsacrosscanberra.org.au) or 02 6145 2833.

Apply Now