Volunteer Grants Activity – 2025-26 Volunteer Grants

Overview

The Australian Government is inviting organisations through a closed, non-competitive process to apply for a Volunteer Grant under the Families and Communities Program – Volunteer Grants Activity. The 2025–26 Volunteer Grants round began with a call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) by Federal Members of Parliament (MPs) who consulted with a community committee to develop a list of organisations to nominate. Following the EOI process, MPs nominated organisations to receive an invitation to apply. The nomination period for MPs to submit their nominations closed on 17 April 2026. The Volunteer Grants Activity is an element of the Families and Communities Program, which recognises the valuable work of Australia’s volunteers. This initiative forms part of the Australian Government’s ongoing commitment to encourage, support and increase participation in volunteering. Eligible not for profit community organisations can use grant funding to cover expenses for online communication and insurance items, small equipment, training, and background screening checks for the main purpose of supporting the volunteer cohorts and volunteer-run activities specified in the 2025–26 Volunteer Grants - Grant Opportunity Guidelines. The intended outcome of the activity is to strengthen community functioning by supporting and increasing participation in volunteering.