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: Mid-September 2026 
Closes: November 2026

View grant guidelines (coming soon)
Apply through SmartyGrants (once the grant round opens)

What Community Action Grants will prioritise in 2026–27

For the 2026–27 funding round, TCF is particularly interested in projects that:

• create more opportunities for people to take part in community life;
• help people feel connected, included and that they belong;
• make it easier for people to participate;
• support volunteering and local leaders;
• strengthen community gathering places where people can connect and take part; and
• respond to a clear local need or opportunity and benefit the wider community.

Examples may include:

• local or neighbourhood activities;
• volunteer-led projects;
• activities that make it easier for people to take part;
• activities that bring together different generations, cultures or community groups;
• locally led responses to community needs; and
• small improvements to community facilities or equipment that help more people participate.

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 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, replacement of existing assets, or work that would normally be the responsibility of government or local government.

Where a facility is publicly owned but mainly managed or used by a community organisation, TCF may consider funding where there is clear additional community benefit.

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 established or recurring festivals, celebrations or community events simply to help them run again.

The key question is whether TCF funding will create additional community benefit, rather than just covering the cost of running the event.

Funding available

Community Action Grants are available in two categories:

Small grants – up to $15,000
For smaller projects with a simpler application and assessment process.

Standard grants – $15,001 to $50,000
For larger community projects requiring a greater level of planning and information.

The requirements for each category are proportionate to the amount of funding being sought.

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.

Contact us