Church grant readiness checklist

Organisation

Confirm the entity and its authority to apply.

• Legal name, ABN and incorporation status
• ACNC and DGR status where relevant
• Bank account and authorised signatories
• Property-owner and denominational approvals

Project

Make the work understandable without relying on a grant form.

• One-page project summary
• Evidence of need and intended users
• Itemised budget and current quotes
• Timeline, risks and maintenance plan

Application

Create a short exception list instead of guessing.

• Eligibility clauses checked
• Excluded activities and costs separated
• Co-contribution evidenced
• Unclear rules sent to the funder

Official sources and how to use them

This checklist is editorial guidance. The sources below explain specific concepts or program examples; they do not make every church or project eligible.

• ACNC: legal structure

  Explains legal identity, decision-making and the relationship between a governing document and the entity recorded against an ABN.

• ACNC: deductible gift recipients and charity registration

  Explains why charity registration and DGR endorsement are different, and where to check an organisation’s endorsement.

• NSW Government: Community Building Partnership 2026 FAQs

  A specific program example covering the applicant, project, owner consent, planning approvals and funding contributions. Use it to understand the questions, then check your chosen program’s own rules. This is not an open-round recommendation.

Background links checked 17 September 2026. Each grant record has its own source verification date.