community impact Grants
Grants that grow connection and opportunity
The Ballarat Foundation provides a range of targeted grant opportunities to support community driven initiatives across our region. Our grants are designed to empower local organisations, charities and community groups to create lasting impact. Each program is unique but all share the same purpose, to build a stronger, fairer and more connected community across Ballarat and beyond.
Community Impact Grants
Community Impact Grants support initiatives that create long lasting benefit for the Ballarat community by reducing disadvantage, strengthening connection and improving wellbeing. There are significant updates to the Community Impact Grants program this year.
Projects must align with one of the following focus areas identified through community research and the Ballarat Foundation Vital Signs report:
Mental Health
Prevention and early intervention initiatives that build connection, resilience and belonging and address the drivers of poor mental health.
Food Insecurity
Projects that move beyond short term emergency food relief and instead address the underlying causes of food insecurity through skills, connection, food literacy and sustainable community food systems.
Youth Support
Initiatives that support young people aged approximately 12 to 25 who are experiencing barriers to education, employment, social inclusion or wellbeing. Programs that include youth voice or youth co design are prioritised.
The maximum grant amount is $15,000 excluding GST.
Projects should demonstrate clear community need, strong program design and the ability to measure outcomes and impact.
There are significant changes to the grants program this year. Please scroll down for more information about these changes.
Applications have closed for 2026
Online Information Sessions
To support organisations considering an application, we will be hosting online information sessions where we will walk through the grants, key changes and how to prepare a strong application.
Information Session for:
Community Impact Grants
Peter Amor Sports Participation Grants
Wimmera PCP Health and Wellbeing Grants
Monday 16 March
10.30 am to 11.30 am
Information Session for:
Ballarat Women's Fund Grants
Monday 16 March
11.30 am to 12.30 am
Changes to Grant Guidelines
This year there are some important updates to the guidelines. These changes provide clearer focus areas and stronger emphasis on prevention, long term impact and measurable outcomes.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the updated guidelines to understand how these changes may affect their project or proposal.
The table below highlights these changes.
in the news
We work on Wadawurrung land
The Ballarat Foundation acknowledges the Wadawurrung people, the traditional owners of the lands and waterways in our region. We recognise their diversity, resilience, and the ongoing place that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people hold in our communities. We pay our respects to the Elders, both past and present, and commit to working together in the spirit of mutual understanding, respect and reconciliation.
The Ballarat Foundation is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive community where everyone is welcomed, respected and empowered to thrive.