ClosedNon-Profit
Connect IRL Grants — NSW
$10K – $250K available
Premier's Department
Connect IRL Grants provides funding to eligible not-for-profit organisations in New South Wales to support young people through offline connection, mentoring, safe spaces and prosocial activities. Grants support projects that strengthen social connection, mentoring capability and long-term support systems for vulnerable, marginalised or geographically isolated young people.
Funding
$10K – $250K
Closed
20 Jan 2026
Location
New South Wales
Who Can Apply
• Applicant must be a not-for-profit organisation.
• Applicant must have an Australian Business Number (ABN).
• Applicant must have demonstrated services operating in New South Wales.
• Eligible entity types include incorporated non-government not-for-profits, registered associations, registered cooperatives, companies limited by guarantee, non-profit-distributing companies limited by shares, community-based not-for-profit organisations established under an Act, and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander corporations.
• Individuals and sole traders cannot apply.
• Local councils cannot apply.
• State and federal government departments and associated entities cannot apply.
• For-profit organisations and commercial enterprises cannot apply.
• Organisations with National Redress Scheme sanctions cannot apply.
• Organisations subject to a winding up order or with an appointed administrator cannot apply.
• Organisations with a pending or ongoing legal case cannot apply.
• Bankrupt organisations cannot apply.
Applicants must be not-for-profit organisations with an active Australian Business Number and demonstrated services operating in New South Wales. Eligible organisation types include incorporated non-government not-for-profits, registered associations, registered cooperatives, companies limited by guarantee, non-profit-distributing companies limited by shares, community-based not-for-profit organisations established under an Act, and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander corporations registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth). Ineligible applicants include individuals, sole traders, local councils, state and federal government departments and associated entities, for-profit organisations and commercial enterprises, and organisations with National Redress Scheme sanctions. Organisations are also ineligible if they are subject to a winding up order, have an appointed administrator, have a pending or ongoing legal case, or are bankrupt.
What's Funded
Projects delivering inclusive offline social connection activities, safe discussion spaces, structured mentoring programs, mentor capability building including trauma-informed and lived experience approaches, and family or trusted-adult inclusion to support young people.Before you apply
Check Connect IRL Grants fit and evidence gaps before 20 Jan 2026
Use this non-profit grant page to sanity-check eligibility, funding fit, evidence gaps and application effort before you commit days to drafting. If you already know the grant you want, the 48-hour audit gives a practical go/no-go view, reviewer-readiness score and next-step risks.
Get a 48-hour grant fit auditExpected Outcomes
Improved offline connections for young people, stronger peer networks, reduced isolation, improved interpersonal, civic and leadership skills, enhanced mentor capability, and stronger long-term support systems involving families or trusted adults.Grant not accepting applications
Applications for this round are closed. A new round may open in the future.
Browse open grantsKey Information
Applicant Types
non_profitcooperativeindigenous_organisation
Stage
established
Funding Purposes
communitytrainingother
Keywords
youthmentoringmental healthcommunity connectionsafe spacessocial inclusionmarginalised communitiesregional communities
Frequently Asked Questions
1
What is the Connect IRL Grants?
The Connect IRL Grants is a non-profit grant offered by Premier's Department in Australia, providing $10K – $250K in funding. Connect IRL Grants provides funding to eligible not-for-profit organisations in New South Wales to support young people through offline connection, mentoring, safe spaces and prosocial activities. Grants support projects that strengthen social connection, mentoring capability and long-term support systems for vulnerable, marginalised or geographically isolated young people.
2
How much funding does the Connect IRL Grants provide?
The Connect IRL Grants provides $10K – $250K in funding.
3
Who is eligible for the Connect IRL Grants?
- Applicant must be a not-for-profit organisation.
- Applicant must have an Australian Business Number (ABN).
- Applicant must have demonstrated services operating in New South Wales.
- Eligible entity types include incorporated non-government not-for-profits, registered associations, registered cooperatives, companies limited by guarantee, non-profit-distributing companies limited by shares, community-based not-for-profit organisations established under an Act, and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander corporations.
- Individuals and sole traders cannot apply.
- Local councils cannot apply.
- State and federal government departments and associated entities cannot apply.
- For-profit organisations and commercial enterprises cannot apply.
- Organisations with National Redress Scheme sanctions cannot apply.
- Organisations subject to a winding up order or with an appointed administrator cannot apply.
- Organisations with a pending or ongoing legal case cannot apply.
- Bankrupt organisations cannot apply.
4
When does the Connect IRL Grants close?
Applications closed on 20 Jan 2026.
5
What activities are funded?
Projects delivering inclusive offline social connection activities, safe discussion spaces, structured mentoring programs, mentor capability building including trauma-informed and lived experience approaches, and family or trusted-adult inclusion to support young people.
6
How do I apply for the Connect IRL Grants?
Start by checking your eligibility using the free Beta Docs eligibility checker. If eligible, Beta Docs' AI-powered platform can help you draft, review, and refine your application to maximise your chances of success.
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