Community groups and not-for-profit organisations across the Northern Rivers are invited to apply for the Northern Rivers Community Foundation’s (NRCF) 2026-2027 Annual Community Grants Round, which opened on 31 August.
Grants of up to $15,000 are available to support community-led projects that strengthen communities across the region.
For more than 20 years, NRCF’s Annual Community Grants Program has connected local generosity with local solutions, supporting grassroots organisations and community groups working to create positive change across the Northern Rivers.
Two funding streams are available:
Local Impact Grants: Up to $15,000 per grant
Supporting organisations to deliver activities, events, programs and services that create positive social and environmental change, as well as initiatives that build organisational capacity.
Community Infrastructure Fund: Up to $15,000 per grant
Supporting the purchase of assets and infrastructure that enable more connected and inclusive regional communities.
NRCF CEO Sam Henderson said the annual grants program was an important way of backing local organisations with the knowledge, relationships and ideas to respond to the needs of their communities.
‘Local organisations understand their communities and what will make a meaningful difference. These grants are about backing that local knowledge and helping good ideas become a reality.’
Eligible organisations must be based in one of the seven Northern Rivers LGAs of Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley, Clarence Valley, Ballina, Byron and Tweed, or be working with a local partner. Organisations do not need DGR1 tax status to apply.
Applications
Applicants can submit one application only and should choose the grant stream that best aligns with the primary purpose of their project.
Applications open: Monday 31 August 2026
Applications close: Sunday 20 September 2026
Successful applicants will be notified in early November and invited to NRCF’s annual Grant Giving Event on Thursday 26 November 2026.
This year’s Annual Community Grants are made possible through the generous support of NRCF’s local community of givers and grant program partners: Paul Ramsay Foundation and The James Frizelle Charitable Foundation.
To apply, view the grant guidelines, or read about last year’s recipients, visit: nrcf.org.au.
Interested grantseekers can reach out to the NRCF Grants team at: [email protected].
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