ClosedNon-Profit
Connecting Seniors Grant Program — NSW
$20K – $40K available
Department of Communities and Justice
Funding for New South Wales local government authorities and incorporated not-for-profit community organisations to deliver projects that help older people build social connections and reduce isolation. Grants support new or expanded locally based activities for seniors, including priority cohorts such as Aboriginal people, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, carers and people in rural, regional and remote areas.
Funding
$20K – $40K
Closed
25 Oct 2023
Duration
14 months
Location
New South Wales
Who Can Apply
• Applicant must be located in New South Wales and the project must occur in New South Wales.
• Eligible applicants include incorporated not-for-profit community organisations, NSW Local Aboriginal Land Councils, religious organisations operating in New South Wales, certain NSW non-government organisations established under legislation, and NSW local councils.
• Not-for-profit companies limited by guarantee must be registered in New South Wales and have ACNC registration and/or DGR status.
• Associations must be registered under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 with NSW Fair Trading.
• For-profit organisations cannot apply.
• Individuals cannot apply.
• Organisations with outstanding acquittals with DCJ cannot apply.
• A non-government organisation with relevant redress obligations may be ineligible if it declined to join the scheme or did not join within 6 months of being told to join.
• Applicants need an Australian Business Number, or may apply through an auspicing incorporated organisation with an ABN.
• Applicants must provide organisation details, registrations and insurance, a detailed project budget, quotes or estimates, and confirmation of NSW delivery.
• Projects must fit one of three approaches: creation of a new program, enhancement/expansion of an existing program, or a local council grant.
• Categories 1 and 2 are only open to not-for-profit community organisations.
• Category 3 is only open to local councils.
• Projects must address social connection for older people and include opportunities to socialise in person where possible.
• Projects must show local involvement, respond to local needs, and extend participation beyond the applicant's immediate membership or clients.
• Participant charges must not exceed a nominal amount.
• Funding cannot be used for wages and salaries, conferences or workshops, general equipment, capital works, vehicles, retrospective costs, interstate or overseas travel, ongoing operational costs, debt or deficits.
Applicants must be operating in New South Wales and the proposed project must occur in New South Wales. Eligible applicants include incorporated not-for-profit community organisations registered and approved as not-for-profit bodies by NSW Fair Trading, not-for-profit companies limited by guarantee registered in NSW with ACNC registration and/or DGR status, associations registered under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 with NSW Fair Trading, NSW Local Aboriginal Land Councils, religious organisations operating in NSW, NSW non-government organisations established under an Act of Parliament, and NSW local councils operating under the Local Government Act 1993. For-profit organisations, individuals and organisations with outstanding acquittals with DCJ cannot apply. Non-government organisations with certain redress obligations may also be ineligible if they have declined to join the scheme or have not joined within 6 months of being told to join. Applicants need an Australian Business Number, or may apply through an auspicing organisation with an ABN, and must provide organisation details, registrations and insurance, a detailed project budget, quotes or estimates, and confirmation of NSW location and delivery. Projects must fit one of three approaches: creation of a new social connection program for older people, enhancement or expansion of an existing successful program for older people, or a local council grant available only to local councils. Categories 1 and 2 are only for not-for-profit community organisations, while category 3 is only for local councils. Projects must address social connection for older people, include opportunities for older people to socialise in person where possible, show local involvement and local need, extend participation beyond immediate membership or clients, and avoid charging more than a nominal participant fee. Funding cannot be used for wages and salaries, conferences or workshops, general equipment, capital works, vehicles, non-essential costs, retrospective costs, interstate or overseas travel, ongoing operational costs, existing debt or budget deficits.
What's Funded
Eligible projects include creating a new program that fosters social connection for older people, enhancing or expanding an existing successful program into a new area or cohort, and local council grants for council-led seniors connection activities. Example activities include nature walks, yarning circles, community visits, repair cafes, transport to social activities, cooking groups, book clubs and other in-person small group social programs.Before you apply
Check Connecting Seniors Grant Program fit and evidence gaps before 25 Oct 2023
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
Projects are expected to provide meaningful and lasting social connections for older people, reduce social isolation, engage new and harder-to-reach participants, deliver locally relevant activities, and sustain participation through the project period. Applicants are expected to demonstrate participant numbers, active engagement, measurable outcomes and final reporting and acquittal.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_profitlocal_governmentindigenous_organisation
Stage
any
Funding Purposes
community
Keywords
seniorsolder peoplesocial isolationsocial connectioncommunitylocal councilsnot-for-profitAboriginal communities
Frequently Asked Questions
1
What is the Connecting Seniors Grant Program?
The Connecting Seniors Grant Program is a non-profit grant offered by Department of Communities and Justice in Australia, providing $20K – $40K in funding. Funding for New South Wales local government authorities and incorporated not-for-profit community organisations to deliver projects that help older people build social connections and reduce isolation. Grants support new or expanded locally based activities for seniors, including priority cohorts such as Aboriginal people, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, carers and people in rural, regional and remote areas.
2
How much funding does the Connecting Seniors Grant Program provide?
The Connecting Seniors Grant Program provides $20K – $40K in funding. The typical project duration is 14 months.
3
Who is eligible for the Connecting Seniors Grant Program?
- Applicant must be located in New South Wales and the project must occur in New South Wales.
- Eligible applicants include incorporated not-for-profit community organisations, NSW Local Aboriginal Land Councils, religious organisations operating in New South Wales, certain NSW non-government organisations established under legislation, and NSW local councils.
- Not-for-profit companies limited by guarantee must be registered in New South Wales and have ACNC registration and/or DGR status.
- Associations must be registered under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 with NSW Fair Trading.
- For-profit organisations cannot apply.
- Individuals cannot apply.
- Organisations with outstanding acquittals with DCJ cannot apply.
- A non-government organisation with relevant redress obligations may be ineligible if it declined to join the scheme or did not join within 6 months of being told to join.
- Applicants need an Australian Business Number, or may apply through an auspicing incorporated organisation with an ABN.
- Applicants must provide organisation details, registrations and insurance, a detailed project budget, quotes or estimates, and confirmation of NSW delivery.
- Projects must fit one of three approaches: creation of a new program, enhancement/expansion of an existing program, or a local council grant.
- Categories 1 and 2 are only open to not-for-profit community organisations.
- Category 3 is only open to local councils.
- Projects must address social connection for older people and include opportunities to socialise in person where possible.
- Projects must show local involvement, respond to local needs, and extend participation beyond the applicant's immediate membership or clients.
- Participant charges must not exceed a nominal amount.
- Funding cannot be used for wages and salaries, conferences or workshops, general equipment, capital works, vehicles, retrospective costs, interstate or overseas travel, ongoing operational costs, debt or deficits.
4
When does the Connecting Seniors Grant Program close?
Applications closed on 25 Oct 2023.
5
What activities are funded?
Eligible projects include creating a new program that fosters social connection for older people, enhancing or expanding an existing successful program into a new area or cohort, and local council grants for council-led seniors connection activities. Example activities include nature walks, yarning circles, community visits, repair cafes, transport to social activities, cooking groups, book clubs and other in-person small group social programs.
6
How do I apply for the Connecting Seniors Grant Program?
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.
Need help applying?
Beta Docs has helped founders secure $160M+ in competitive grants. Our AI platform drafts compliance-perfect applications — and our expert reviewers make sure you stand out.