Church Grants
Australia
Closed roundIndependently reviewed

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Development Fund

National Council of Churches in Australia

Small, usually one-off Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-development projects; DGR status or a DGR partner required. Community-based organisations and skills, education, development, culture and reconciliation are preferred. Buildings, vehicles, individual applicants including study costs, government or denomination responsibilities, ongoing salaries and operating costs are generally excluded; recurrent requests and requests over A$5000 are excluded. No denomination-membership condition is stated.

Verified source record

Check the official source before making a decision.

An independent reviewer reopened the official source and checked the material fields. This remains guidance, not a legal eligibility decision, and the funder’s current rules control.

Church-specific reading

What appears relevant

Small, usually one-off Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-development projects; DGR status or a DGR partner required. Community-based organisations and skills, education, development, culture and reconciliation are preferred. Buildings, vehicles, individual applicants including study costs, government or denomination responsibilities, ongoing salaries and operating costs are generally excluded; recurrent requests and requests over A$5000 are excluded. No denomination-membership condition is stated.

First Nations projectsYouth & community

Unclear or confirm with the funder

Questions still needing an authoritative answer

  • Which exact legal entity must apply, and whether incorporation or an ABN is mandatory.
  • Whether DGR status, an auspice or a particular denominational affiliation is required.
  • Which worship, religious, property or existing-cost exclusions apply to this project.
  • Whether co-contribution, owner consent or internal church approvals must be evidenced.

Your next step

Turn these questions into a practical checklist.

Use the private readiness check to identify the entity, approvals, documents and funding conditions to resolve before you approach the funder.

Start the readiness check

Explore related project guidance

Next editorial action

What we will verify next

Round 2 closed on 12 October 2026. NCCA lists round 3 as to be confirmed. Check the official programme for confirmed dates and guidelines before preparing an application.