Key information
- Status: Open
- Grant amount: From $1,000 to $10,000
- Application opened: 9 October 2026
- Application closes: 30 October 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 address at least one of the following outcome areas from the Grant Guidelines:
Safe
- People feel safe to return to public spaces, places of worship and 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 Microgrants
You can read the Grant Guidelines translated in Russian here: Russian Grant Guidelines for Microgrants
You can read the Grant Guidlines translated in Ukrainian here: Ukrainian Grant Guidelines for Microgrants
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 for this funding, you must be one of the following:
- be an individual aged 16 or over
- be a small group of individuals aged 16 or over
- be a community group or organisation
- be a not-for-profit organisation
- be an incorporated organisation
Your activity must:
- be delivered within Waverley, Randwick or Woollahra Local Government Areas
- start after funding has been approved (no retrospective funding)
- align with at least one of the program objectives and meet the assessment criteria detailed below.
You must also:
- be able to enter into a funding agreement with NSW Premier’s Department and have an Australian bank account.
- have adequate public liability insurance of $10 million or be willing to buy it. You can include the cost of insurance as part of the project budget.
- where needed, have Working with Children Checks, WorkCover and superannuation coverage for any individuals or staff delivering programs and projects, or be willing to obtain.
Additional eligibility requirements:
- If the funding is to support existing or an ongoing activity you must be able to demonstrate one or more of the following benefits:
- more people can be reached through the project or initiative
- additional community benefit is provided
- 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 under the age of 18 will need to submit a support letter from a suitable referee attesting to their skills, experience, commitment, and ability to successfully deliver the proposed activity.
- 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 grant proposal to be eligible:
- the organisation must have the capacity to deliver the initiative without depending on CREC/RSS resourcing
- the initiative must not duplicate the program of work being undertaken by the CREC or the intent of the RSS program
Location that are eligible include Randwick, Waverley, Woollahra
Types of projects funded under this grant
Not applicable
Who can’t apply
Funding is not available for activities or costs that:
- do not align with the purpose and objectives of the Grassroots Microgrants program
- do not clearly support connection, belonging or community wellbeing
- have already happened (retrospective funding)
- are for celebration of independence days and national days
- are for political activities
- are for celebration of independence or national days
- are for business, profit or private benefit
- repeat existing activities without adding value or reaching more people
- are for ongoing operational activities without additional benefit
- involve fundraising, cash prizes, vouchers or gifts
- involve alcohol or tobacco as a main focus
- are for capital costs such as building works, maintenance or equipment purchase
- are for consultant fees.
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
Read the application carefully. If you have any questions, please contact Connected Communities team: connectedcommunities@premiersdepartment.nsw.gov.au
Application checklist:
- provide your details or details of your community group or organisation
- ensure that you have undertaken the necessary planning to formulate your project and can provide evidence that it will fulfil at least one of the program objectives
- provide a draft run sheet and budget
- provide simple clear answers to all questions
- ensure all supporting information and documentation is provided to demonstrate any additional eligibility requirements
- ensure your application is complete
Partially completed applications cannot be submitted through the online application systems and 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
Your application will be assessed against the following criteria:
1. The activity must show a clear community benefit and contribute to at least one of the four outcomes in the Outcomes, Safe, Connected, Well, Heard. A strong application:
- Clearly explains how the activity will benefit the community.
- Names the outcome or outcomes in the Grant Guidelines the activity contributes to.
- Outlines how the activity supports this outcome(s).
2. Your ability to deliver the activity. A strong application:
- Shows strong links to the focus community, such as experience working with that community.
- Shows the skill and or experience to deliver the event.
- Includes a draft run sheet that shows the event has been planned carefully and designed to benefit participants. The run sheet should outline event structure and the types of speakers, performers or service providers you plan to engage.
- Includes a realistic and cost-effective budget.
- The event addresses accessibility and safety requirements if required.
- Includes a clear promotion and marketing plan, including how it will be promoted, how participants will register, and the types of venues being considered.
- Shows clear benefits for participants and good value for the funding requested.
If a high number of applicants meet the selection criteria, priority will be given to activities that engage underserved community groups that have not previously accessed support.
Start the application
You 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: Executive Director, Delivery Social and Community Premier’s Department
Grassroots Microgrants will be awarded on merit and assessed by a multi-agency assessment panel made up of government staff.
- Your application will firstly 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 your 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 two merit criteria.
- Your application will be ranked by the Chair of the assessment panel based on its overall average score.
- The assessment panel will then meet to discuss all applications.
- The assessment panel make its recommendations to the final decision-maker.
- The Premier will consider the recommendations and makes the decision to award funds.
Support and contact
Community Reslience and Response, Premier's Department
connectedcommunities@premiersdepartment.nsw.gov.au