Key information
- Status: Open
- Grant amount: From $50,000 to $150,000
- Application opened: 9 October 2026
- Application closes: 6 November 2026, 5:00 pm
Program objective
The objectives of this program are to fund initiatives that will help strengthen social cohesion and connections within communities and/or between communities following the Bondi Terror Attack. Initiatives must align with the Community Cohesion and Wellbeing Outcomes listed below, and support the community in feeling safe, connected, well and heard.
Initiatives must address at least one of the following areas from the Grant Guidelines:
Safe
- People feel safe to return to public spaces, places of worship and return to everyday activities
- Community members are confident to be their authentic selves in public life free from discrimination or fear
- Antisemitism and other forms of hate and discrimination are actively managed and minimised
Connected
- Communities are provided with opportunities to connect via community-led events, programs and initiatives
- People build or regain a strong sense of belonging and sense of connection within and across communities
- Community is supported through enhanced partnership between different segments of the local community
Well
- Local healing, wellbeing and long-term psychosocial recovery at the community level is supported (psychosocial recovery promotes positive wellbeing, resilience, social connection and social cohesion activities within the community)
- Affected communities are strengthened and develop ongoing resilience through capacity building
- People who are disconnected from support are identified and encouraged to connect through activities
Heard
- People feel informed and able to navigate recovery decisions
- People have opportunities to voice views within community and institutions to improve agency
- Cohesion and wellbeing initiatives are community-led and trauma informed
- People and communities build trust in key institutions
You can read the Grant Guidelines translated in Hebrew here: Hebrew Grant Guidelines for the Non-Government Sector
You can read the Grant Guidelines translated in Russian here: Russian Grants Guidelines for the Non-Government Sector
You can read the Grant Guidelines translated in Ukrainian here: Ukrainian Grant Guidelines for the Non-Government Sector
This program is administered by Premier's Department.
Eligibility
Who can apply
Grants will be assessed through a competitive application process and awarded to selected community groups or organisations who meet the following criteria.
To be eligible:
- Applicants must be authorised representatives and be applying on behalf of a not-for-profit organisation, incorporated association, community group or non-government educational institution.
- Applicants must demonstrate their project will align with at least one of the program objectives and meet the assessment criteria.
- Applicants have, or are willing to acquire, adequate public liability insurance of $10 million. The cost of insurance can be included as part of the project budget.
- Where needed, individuals or staff delivering programs and projects must have, or be willing to obtain, Working with Children Checks, and any required superannuation coverage. Funded organisations that employ staff must comply with relevant industrial relations and workplace health and safety requirements.
- Funded activities must commence after the grant funding commencement date. Grant proposals cannot be retrospective.
- Applicants must be authorised representatives and be applying on behalf of a not-for-profit organisation, incorporated association, community group or non-government educational institution.
Additional criteria:
- Funding may be directed to support new, existing, or ongoing activities, where these:
- align with program objectives, and
- demonstrate clear additional community benefit or expanded impact over and above the existing impact.
- Organisations who host a Community Resilience Engagement Coordinator (CREC) position or Resilience Support Service (RSS) program funded by the NSW Reconstruction Authority are eligible to apply for funding. For the proposal to be eligible:
- the organisation must have the capacity to deliver the initiative without depending on CREC/RSS resourcing
- the initiative does not duplicate the program of work being undertaken by the CREC or the intent of the RSS program.
Types of projects funded under this grant
Not applicable
Who can’t apply
Local, state or commonwealth government agencies are not eligible to apply for funding. However, a local council or government agency can be listed as a key partner.
Grant funding will not be awarded to an organisation that:
- has Redress Obligations under the NSW National Redress Scheme. The Scheme includes sanctions against those organisations who have been named and failed to join the National Redress Scheme.
- is subject to a winding up order or has an appointed administrator
- has a pending/ongoing legal case
- is bankrupt or has no sound financial management and governance
- has not demonstrated a commitment to social cohesion principles.
- local, state or commonwealth government agencies or institutions are not eligible to apply for funding. However, a local council or government agency can be listed as a key partner.
Types of projects not funded under this grant
Funding is not available for activities or costs that:
- do not align with program objectives, and intended outcomes of the Community Cohesion and Wellbeing Funding Programs Outcomes
- are solely providing mental health supports or interventions for individuals, without broader community impacts
- may have unintended adverse impacts on social cohesion and community connectedness or cause damage to social cohesion in NSW
- are for religious festivals, rituals, religious events, or religious promotion, except multi-faith events which involve people from more than one religion
- celebration of independence days and national days
- are retrospective, including activities or costs incurred prior to the funding agreement start date
- are associated with providing security support
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
Applicants will be required to provide in their application the following information:
- applicant details (individual or group)
- the intended outcomes of the project aligned to the Community Cohesion and Wellbeing Funding Programs Outcomes Framework
- a detailed description of the proposed activity or initiative
- intended participants or community groups
- location and timing of the activity/activities
- a draft budget outlining how funds will be used
- a copy of public liability insurance certificate or quote to obtain one
- ensure all supporting information and documentation is provided to demonstrate any additional eligibility requirements in the Grant Guidelines
- ensure your application is complete.
Applications that are not submitted through the online application portal before the closing date with all required aspects of the application form completed will not be considered.
Address the eligibility criteria
Each applicant, as part of an application response, must confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria.
Applicants that do not address the eligibility criteria in full may be excluded from the application process at the department's discretion.
Address the assessment criteria
Each application will be considered on its merits and assessed based on how well it meets the following criteria:
- Demonstrated eligibility criteria
- The activity must show a clear community benefit and contribute to at least one of the four outcomes
- Demonstrated cultural competency and/or experience working alongside Jewish people and communities or other individuals, families and communities affected by the ongoing impacts of the attack
- Applicants must demonstrate a reasonable capacity to deliver the proposed activity or initiative via demonstration of relevant skills, expertise and where possible examples.
If a high number of applicants meet the selection criteria, priority will be given to initiatives that:
- engage underserved people or community groups that have not previously accessed support
- embed a partnership model to support collaboration and connection
The following assessmentcriteria will be considered in the process of assessing applications:
- Ability to demonstrate a clear community benefit and contribute to one or more of the outcomes in the Outcomes Framework (40% weighting towards overall score)
- Organisational capacity to plan, manage and deliver a meaningful project, demonstrated through a clear project plan, realistic timelines, appropriate resourcing, and effective risk management. (30% weighting towards overall score)
- Draft project budget, including quotes where relevant. (30% weighting towards overall score).
Start the application
Applicants will need to submit a short application via the online program SmartyGrants. If you have previously used SmartyGrants use your existing username and log in details. If this is your first time using SmartyGrants you will need to set-up a new registration/account.
All required attachments must be uploaded through the online application form in SmartyGrants. The online application form includes an application checklist to ensure all the required information is provided. All required fields marked with an * within the online application form must be completed.
The Premier’s Department will not accept applications unless they are submitted online through the SmartyGrants portal. Incomplete and/or non-compliant applications will not be eligible for assessment.
Note: If you are a new applicant to SmartyGrants, you will need to register and create a password. If you are already registered, you can log in with your existing username and password.
Apply now
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: Deputy Secretary Delivery and Engagement, NSW Premier’s Department
All applications will be assessed by a panel convened by the NSW Premier’s Department. The panel will include Multicultural NSW, Reconstruction Authority and representatives from other NSW Government agencies with subject matter expertise in supporting community recovery and social cohesion.
Panel members will need to declare actual and/or potential conflict of interests before participating in the assessment of applications. These declarations will be made to the Director, Connected Communities, NSW Premier’s Department. Any identified conflicts will result in a panel member being excluded from the assessment process for that application.
Applications will first be reviewed to ensure compliance with the eligibility criteria and that all required documentation has been submitted through the online application system.
Two assessment panel members will then independently assess the application on merit against the assessment criteria and award it a score of either a (1) low, (2) satisfactory or (3) high against each of the three merit criteria.
The Chair of the assessment panel will rank applications based on the overall average score and the assessment panel will then meet to discuss all applications.
After its review, the panel will provide a written assessment report to the Deputy Secretary, Delivery and Engagement, NSW Premier’s Department, on proposals it considers should be awarded grants.
The Decision Maker for this grant will decide on consideration of recommendations of the panel. The Decision Maker’s decision is final in all matters, including:
- the grant approval
- the grant funding to be awarded
- any conditions attached to the offer of grant funding.
Anticipated assessment outcome date is Early December
Anticipated date for funding deed execution with successful applicants is Early December
Support and contact
Community Reslience and Response, Premier's Department
connectedcommunities@premiersdepartment.nsw.gov.au