Key information
- Status: Open
- Grant amount: From $5,000 to $100,000
- Application opened: 11 August 2026
- Application closes: 14 September 2026, 1:00 pm
Program objective
The key objectives of the program are to:
- Improve perceptions of safety for women, girls and gender-diverse people participating in running
- Reduce barriers to participation by supporting initiatives that make running feel more welcoming, accessible and inclusive
- Build the capability of running organisations and providers to create safe, respectful and inclusive environments for participants of all backgrounds and abilities
- Foster partnerships between running clubs, community organisations and local stakeholders to support safer and more inclusive running environments
- Increase participation and retention of women, girls and gender-diverse people in running.
- Encourage community-led approaches to safety, including initiatives that promote social connection, visibility, confidence and collective participation in public spaces
- Support running activities that activate public spaces and strengthen community connections.
For all information on the Program, please refer to:
The Office of Sport information session for the Run My Way Grant Program provides an overview of the Grant Program, the Safer Cities partnership, current research and initiatives, co-design workshop ideas, and key grant information to support your application. Click HERE to watch.
This program is administered by Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport.
Eligibility
Who can apply
To be eligible for funding, the applicant must:
- include a valid Incorporation Number and/or active Australian Business Number (ABN)
- include a declaration by the applicant organisation that if successful they will provide Public Liability Insurance with a minimum $5 million cover
- be a legally recognised entity, including:
- an incorporated association registered in NSW or another Australian jurisdiction, or
- a company registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), or
- a not-for-profit organisation, including registered charities (ACNC), or
- a sole trader operating a running-related business with an ABN.
- Have an established operational presence in NSW (e.g. program delivery, members, or events).
Core activity requirements
Applicants’ primary purpose must include the delivery of organised running activities, such as:
- community run clubs
- structured group training or coaching programs
- inclusive or social running programs
- running events or competitions
- athletics clubs with a distance running focus.
Note that sole traders may apply where the proposed project primarily delivers community participation outcomes in NSW and is not solely for commercial gain.
Applicants must provide evidence of active and ongoing operations, which may include;
- digital presence (website, social media, or event listings),
- participation data (e.g. attendance records, membership numbers)
- affiliation with recognised sporting bodies (e.g. Athletics NSW)
- governance documents (constitution, committee structure, or business registration)
Types of projects funded under this grant
Eligible projects must be able to meet the following criteria:
- be delivered in NSW
- be completed by December 2027
- align with Transport for NSW’s Safer Cities Program by demonstrating clear contribution to improving perceptions of safety for women, girls and gender diverse runners, including in public spaces.
Funds will be prioritised for projects that:
- trial or implement innovative approaches to improving perceptions of safety, inclusion and belonging and participant experience for the above cohort.
When the project can start and end
All projects must be completed by December 2027.
The project must be completed by 31 December 2027.
Who can’t apply
The following entities are not eligible for funding:
- informal or social running groups that do not hold an ABN
- individuals not operating under a registered entity
- entities established solely to access grant funding
- organisations that are insolvent, deregistered, or have an inactive ABN
- Trusts and Trustees
- sporting organisations that incorporate running as a training or conditioning activity to support participation in another sport (e.g. football, rugby, netball, cricket, hockey or similar) are not eligible. Eligibility is limited to organisations whose primary purpose is the delivery of running activities, programs, events, or services
- schools, universities and TAFEs
- Parents and Citizens (P&C) Associations
- NSW Institute of Sport, Australian Sports Commission (incorporating the Australian Institute of Sport) and Regional Academies of Sport
- State and Federal Government departments and agencies and Local Government Authorities in NSW
- An organisation named:
- (i) by the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse on its list of institutions that have not joined or signified their intent not to join the Scheme; or
- (ii) in the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse that has not yet joined the National Redress Scheme.
Types of projects not funded under this grant
Projects or components that do not meet the criteria outlined in the 'Eligible Projects' section are considered ineligible. These may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Projects that are not aligned with or contribute to Safer Cities Program objectives
- Project location is not in NSW
- Retrospective funding, where projects have commenced or are completed prior to the execution of a funding agreement
- Projects that have already been funded by the NSW Government unless significant new and additional project scope is identified
- Projects that predominantly replicate existing activities without demonstrating new or expanded safety, inclusion or participation outcomes
- Any costs associated with preparing and submitting the application
- Projects that include the purchase, installation, upgrade or maintenance of permanent lighting infrastructure
- Project administration costs and staff wages not directly related to the project
- Interstate and International accommodation and travel expenses
- Appearance fees, prize money, trophies and presentation functions
- Entertainment, hospitality and catering not directly related to the Project. The purchase of alcohol will not be funded in any circumstances
- Events that are organised for the primary purpose of fundraising, including charity fundraising events
- Purchase of land, rental of premises for the organisation’s administrative and operational requirements, or associated occupancy payments
- General running costs, maintenance or purchase of office equipment. Capital purchases are ineligible unless directly required for delivery of the approved project and represent value for money
- Insurance costs (public liability, general liability, etc.)
- Costs associated with feasibility, design, or development stages including feasibility studies, business cases and masterplans
- Projects that primarily support political, lobbying or religious activities
- Projects that primarily support an applicant's ongoing commercial operations or generate private business profit without a demonstrable community benefit are ineligible
Project budgets should not include any ineligible costs, and these will be removed by assessors if included, at the absolute discretion of the Office of Sport.
Example projects
Examples of eligible projects may include (but are not limited to):
- new program formats designed to increase confidence and participation, for example delivering women-focussed runs or activations
- place-based safety initiatives (e.g. route planning, visibility strategies)
- buddy systems, group safety models, guided runs or walk to run programs for new runners
- digital tools or communication systems that enhance perceived safety
- programs that focus on male allyship to support gender equality and promote safe, respectful and inclusive environments for women, girls and gender-diverse people through advocacy, positive behaviour and shared responsibility
- capacity building programs to support developing run group leaders, particularly for under-represented communities
- capital purchases that are directly required for delivery of the approved project and represent value for money are eligible. For example: personal safety devices, temporary lighting equipment, radios, training equipment, portable signage etc.
What co-contributions are required
A financial contribution is not mandatory; however, applicants may financially contribute to the project. Organisations who choose to provide a financial co-contribution towards their project may be viewed more favourably during the merit assessment process.Value of in-kind contributions cannot be calculated toward the financial co-contribution.
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
Some documents that you will need to submit with your grant application will take time to prepare. We have prepared a list of suggestions and templates that you may need, to help you prepare and make the process a better experience.
- The organisation’s Australian Business Number (ABN) or
- Please click on the following link/s to find your Incorporation number/s as applicable:
- Public Liability Insurance with a minimum $5 million cover (if applicable)
- Letters of Support
- State/National Sporting Organisation Statement of Support Letter (if applicable)
- Quotes and other appropriate evidence to support budgets and grant request amount.
- A clear project plan that illustrates key project milestones
- Confirmation of all financial co-contribution sources (where applicable)
- Current (pre) and projected (post) program participation rates
- Evidence confirming community and end user consultation and/or collaboration on the project scope, to support the need and impact e.g. community consulation report, surveys, online feedback etc.
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
Refer to Section 2.2 Assessment Criteria in the Program Guidelines
Start the application
Step 1: Check your eligibility
- See Eligible Applicants section of these Guidelines to see which organisations can apply for funding.
- If you are not eligible, you may be able to partner with an eligible organisation, although they will need to be the applicant organisation and submit the application.
Step 2: Understand the requirements
- Before you apply, please read these guidelines and related materials to make sure you understand all relevant requirements, including whether you are eligible to apply.
- You can find the relevant information on NSW Government Grants and Funding | Run My Way Grant Program
Step 3: Prepare your application
- Gather your evidence including letters of support, funding commitments, images/plans, quotes, participation data etc.
- Consider using the SmartyGrants tool, SmartyFile. The tool allows organisations to collaborate with team members, pre-fill information into forms and manage, view, search and sort submissions across multiple funders in one spot. Applicants with an ABN can use this function.
Step 4: Submit your application
- Applying for a grant is a simple process using the SmartyGrants platform.
- The Office of Sport recommends that applicants familiarise themselves with the online application form ahead of preparing the application and plan to submit ahead of the closing date to reduce the risk of missing the deadline.
- Complete your application by filling in each of the sections. The SmartyGrants portal will not accept submission of an application unless all mandatory documents have been uploaded.
- Submit your application as soon as possible and before the closing date and time.
- You will be asked to declare that “The responses in this application and all supporting documents provided are to the best of my knowledge true and correct”. The application may be deemed ineligible if the application contains false or misleading statements.
- Projects must be submitted through the SmartyGrants website to be considered eligible.
Successful submissions will be issued with a SmartyGrants system generated acknowledgement email containing a PDF copy of the application which will confirm the time the application was submitted.
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: Minister for Sport
The Run My Way Grant Program is a targeted, competitive grant program where eligible applications will be assessed on their merits against other criteria and be compared with other applications. The Run My Way Grant Program is administered by the Office of Sport in two stages:
- Eligibility check
- Merit assessment
Throughout the assessment process the Office of Sport may request additional information from the applicant.
An independent probity advisor will oversee the grant process and attend all Grant Assessment Panel meetings.
The Minister for Sport will consider the recommendations of the Grant Assessment Panel and make decisions relating to the approval of funding.
Anticipated assessment outcome date is November 2026 onwards