FREE NEWSLETTER | Everything I’d Fix in a First-Time Grant Application
No shade to first-time writers - I just want to help!
Everyone writes a first draft that needs work. I certainly do - I wrote a whole newsletter about my Shitty First Drafts, and how I get started.
But after reviewing hundreds of applications, I see the same mistakes over and over, especially in first-time submissions.
So if you're new to grant writing this is for you: a list of the things I’d fix first, before worrying about polish or formatting.
The problem is too vague
Saying “our community is struggling” isn’t enough. Funders want specifics: What’s the issue? Who is affected? How do you know?
Be clear. Be evidence-based. Don’t assume the assessor will connect the dots for you.
The solution doesn’t clearly match the problem
The solution should be framed as a clear line between the problem and a customer-fit solution. Ask: Is this project the most logical way to solve the problem I just described? If not, tighten the story, find more evidence or consider whether the solution is fit for purpose.
There’s no plan
“We want to help” isn’t a plan. Funders want to know how you’ll do it, who will be involved, when it will happen, and what will be delivered. List the activities. Be concrete.
The budget is a total mystery
If your budget doesn’t line up with your activities, or includes unexplained costs, it undermines the whole application. Show the link. If you’re asking for $50,000, break it down clearly and justify it in context.
It reads like it was written for insiders
You might know what your project does. Your assessor doesn’t. Avoid acronyms. Ditch the internal jargon. Write like you’re explaining it to someone who has never heard of you before (because they haven’t).
It’s too polite or too safe
No one gets funded for being agreeable. Say what the problem is. Own your solution. Be clear about what you’re asking for. Confidence is persuasive. Hedging is forgettable.
There’s no outcome, just activity
What’s going to change if your project gets funded? Don’t just tell them what you’ll do, tell them what will be different. That’s what they’re actually paying for.
TL;DR
A first-time grant application is allowed to be rough. But if you want to be competitive, focus on:
A clear problem
A matching solution
A practical plan
An appropriate budget
And a confident, readable story
You don’t need to be perfect, just make it make sense!
Let’s Work Together!
My 1.5-hour consultation sessions are designed to help. Whether you need guidance on grant applications, tenders, or broader revenue strategy, I’ll work with you to:
Identify the best opportunities for your goals.
Develop clear, actionable strategies.
Create next steps to get you closer to funding success.
The cost is $199AUD + GST, and clients often walk away with renewed clarity and confidence.
👉 Book your session today and let’s get you back on track!
You can also book a free discovery call here to find out more about how I can help.
Open Grants
🦺QLD: The Cory Charitable Foundation has opened expressions of interest for Queensland-based DGR organisations supporting medical equipment, social welfare, and emergency relief. Up to $10,000 available. Closing 30 May. DGR status required.
💗NATIONAL: Collier Charitable Fund is now open for organisations seeking funding for initiatives supporting social disadvantage, education, religious ministry, or charitable causes across Australia. Up to $35,000 available. Closing 31 May. DGR status required.
♀️ NATIONAL: SPARK has opened applications for its Women in Business Grants for female-founded businesses registered for 12+ months. Two grants of $10,000 and $5,000 available to SPARK members and alumni. Closing 31 May.
🚀QLD: Advance Queensland has opened expressions of interest for the Ignite Ideas Fund for Queensland SMEs commercialising an innovative product or service, including those recognised as innovative in an Indigenous cultural or community context.
Tier 1: Up to $100,000 (excluding GST) for projects up to 12 months, with at least 20% matched funding required
Tier 2: $100,001–$200,000 (excluding GST) for projects up to 24 months, with matched funding equal to the amount sought
Closing 3 June.
🏦NSW: Bank of Sydney has opened applications for the Grant For Good for NFPs with DGR status supporting social inclusion, health, wellbeing, or sports initiatives. One $20,000 grant available. Closing 4 June.
🫶NATIONAL: SKJ Family Foundation is offering grants to support projects assisting disadvantaged youth or domestic violence survivors. No proscribed funding cap. Closing 6 June 2025. DGR status required.
👩⚕️NATIONAL: Bupa Foundation Community Grants are now open for community organisations supporting mentally healthy and sustainable societies. Up to $10,000 available for projects under Healthy Minds or Healthy Planet, Healthy People themes. Closing 6 June.
🆕SA: Fearless Innovator Grants are now open through Women in Innovation for eligible female-founded startups to scale or accelerate their business. Two levels available:
• Accelerate – up to $20,000 to fast-track early-stage growth
• Scale Up – up to $60,000 for businesses with proven market traction
Closing 8 June.
👪 NT/QLD/SA/WA: Strengthening Family-Centred Collaborations Grant Round is now open through Paul Ramsay Foundation for cross-sector collaborations supporting families recovering from domestic and family violence. Up to $600,000 available over three years. Closing 10 June.
🤖 NATIONAL: Techstars Tech Central Sydney Accelerator is now open for pre-seed startups based in Australia. Up to AU$190,000 equity investment available per startup. Closing 11 June.
🍂NSW/ACT/VIC: IMB Bank has opened applications for the 2025 Community Foundation Grant Program for not-for-profit initiatives that build social, cultural, environmental, or educational outcomes in local communities. Up to $30,000 available. Closing 15 June.
👩💼NATIONAL: Snow Entrepreneurs Fellowship is now open through The Snow Foundation for early-stage social ventures addressing disadvantage in Australia. Up to $200,000 p.a. over two years, plus leadership retreats, mentoring and capacity-building support. EOI opens 21 May and closes 16 June.
🌱NATIONAL: Youth Grants Program is now open through Ansvar Insurance and Anglican Insurance & Risk Services for Anglican organisations delivering youth empowerment or outreach initiatives. Up to $4,000 available. Closing 16 June.
🆕NATIONAL: Strengthening Rural Communities is now open through the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) for projects in remote, rural, and regional Australia. Two streams available:
🔹 Small & Vital – Up to $10,000 for grassroots initiatives that directly benefit communities (preference for populations under 15,000), or up to $50,000 for digital inclusion projects.
🔹 Prepare & Recover – Up to $25,000 for medium to long-term disaster recovery or preparedness projects, with priority for locally-led, resilience-building initiatives.
Closing 24 June.
💎GLOBAL: Cartier Women's Initiative – Regional Awards are open to early-stage, women-owned and women-led businesses generating positive impact aligned with the SDGs. Grants of up to USD $100,000 available, plus access to expert coaching, INSEAD training, and global visibility. Closing 24 June.
🏚️BRISBANE: Brisbane City Council's Lord Mayor’s Community Fund is now open for incorporated not-for-profits delivering local events or facility upgrades that align with Brisbane Vision 2031. Up to $10,000 available. Closing 30 June.
🆕NATIONAL: National Foundation for Australia–China Relations 2025–26 Grants are now open through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for eligible organisations to strengthen Australia–China engagement and support Chinese-Australian communities. Up to $500,000 available. Closing 30 June 2025.
🧠NATIONAL: Creswick Foundation Fellowship is now open for professionals and carers with expertise in children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing. Up to $40,000 available. Closing 30 June.
🆕NT: Business Innovation Program is now open through the Northern Territory Government for local startups and entrepreneurs to develop and commercialise innovative products or services. Up to $30,000 available, plus $2,000 in advisory services and $10,000 for commercialisation costs. Closing 30 June.
🎨QLD: The William Angliss Charitable Fund is offering one-off grants of under $3,000 for projects based in Queensland across areas including youth, arts, social justice, health, and community connection. Closing 30 June. DGR Status required.
🏭 QLD: Manufacturing Hubs Grant Program is now open through the Queensland Government for regional manufacturing SMEs to boost advanced manufacturing capabilities. Up to $500,000 available. Closing 30 June.
🏦 NATIONAL: Westpac Social Change Fellowship will open 29 May for purpose-driven individuals leading social change in Australia. Up to $50,000 available for your personal development. Closing 3 July.
🚘NATIONAL: The Honda Foundation is now accepting applications from charities and organisations supporting disadvantaged Australians, natural disaster relief, or innovation and new technologies. No specified cap . Closing 11 July. DGR Status Required.
🩺NATIONAL: AbbVie Australia has opened applications for its Grants and Program for charities and NFPs delivering healthcare education, disease awareness, and fundraising initiatives. No specified cap. Closing 25 July. DGR status required.
💰QLD: Kedron-Wavell has opened its 2025 Community Grants for local individuals and not-for-profits within 5km of Kedron-Wavell or The Sands Social. Grants are for specific initiatives across health, education, culture, wellbeing, sport, and community support. Up to $10,000 available. Closing 31 July.
💥 GLOBAL: Cisco Global Impact Cash Grants are now open for charities using tech to address social challenges in crisis response, education, economic empowerment, or climate. Up to US$75,000 available. Always open.
🧑💻 NATIONAL: Marketing and Technology Grants are now open through Little Phil Foundation to support nonprofit organisations in procuring technology to maximise their impact. Up to $30,000 available. Always open.
🌏GLOBAL: The Catalyst Fund is now open, through the Rodenberry Foundation to support early-stage ideas or projects addressing pressing global challenges. Up to $15,000 available. Always open.
💡QUEENSLAND: Queensland Innovation Precincts and Places Fund: Stream 3 is now open, through Advance Queensland, to support regional innovation precincts with smart infrastructure, technology, and upgrades. Up to $3 million is available. Closing 30 June 2027 or until allocation exhausted.
🧪QUEENSLAND: Department of Environment & Science has the Investment Assistance Grant Program which aims to raise the quantity, quality and success rate of Queensland university and research institutes to make Queensland’s science sector more competitive. Up to $100,000 available. Open until allocation exhausted.
🏭 NATIONAL: Department of Industry, Science and Resources has launched the Industry Growth Program: Early-Stage Commercialisation, and Commercialisation and Growth fund to support startups and scaleups across Australia. Always open.