Grantseeker resources

Have all your grant-related questions answered and find all the know-how on grantseeking and funding. 

You can also sign up to our monthly eNews which contains Community Tips and all the latest updates on our grant programs. You can also check our FAQs if you have a question about the grantseeking process with FRRR.

You can also check our FAQs if you have a question about the grant seeking process with FRRR.

Visit FAQs

Many of FRRR’s webinars are recorded and uploaded to YouTube.

The Know and the How series playlist

Many of FRRR’s webinars are recorded and uploaded to YouTube.

Grantseeker Workshop playlist

Finding and applying for grants:

Four key stages of applying for a grant:

A great place to start when you are planning to apply for a grant is with these four animated clips:

If you are new to grantseeking, we’ve developed this handy Insights and Tips on the Four Grantseeker Stages.

Use our simple Project Planning Tool (PDF) to record information

Fill out a template of standard information you will need at hand when applying for grants – This template from Our Community (PDF)

The FRRR Expertise Pool is a network of highly-experienced consultants from around the country, with a proven track record of working in collaboration with community organisations to achieve their mission.
Experts are located all over Australia, including remote, rural and regional areas. Some are based in metro areas but have proven experience working with grassroots organisations in remote, rural or regional areas.
Learn more about how you can have a free no-obligation conversation about your needs, as you plan or implement your project.

Expertise Pool

Understand the funding requirements:

Set yourself up for financial success:

Fundraising beyond grants

Making a plan and devising a strategy to fundraise for your project is crucial. Find out more below about fundraising avenues beyond grants that may be available to your community group.

Download the Fundraising help sheet.

Accessing tax deductible donations for community organisations

FRRR Not-for-Profit Fundraising Accounts

Did you know that all taxpayers can make tax-deductible gifts or donations to organisations with deductible gift recipient (DGR) status, and keep the receipts to claim back from the ATO on their tax bills as a deduction?

This is a major incentive for giving, as donors to these groups are effectively directing where their tax money is going. Having DGR status greatly assists groups to fundraise by receiving donations from businesses and individuals in their community, and to access philanthropic funds, as Trusts and Foundations often require grantseekers to have DGR status.

By partnering with FRRR via a Not-for-Profit Fundraising Account, community organisations can leverage FRRR’s special tax status to assist in achieving their fundraising goals for specific projects or activities to address a community need.

See more about Not-For-Profit fundraising accounts.

Tax deductible donations through the Australia Sports Foundation

Another group that is able to help communities fundraise is the Australian Sports Foundation (ASF). The ASF program enables tax-deductible donations in support of a sport-related project – an area not normally considered charitable for philanthropic funders. The ASF works with sporting clubs, sporting organisations (regional, state, and national), government and independent schools, councils, government agencies, and community groups to increase opportunities for Australians to participate in sport, and/or excel in sports performance. You can find out more from their website.

Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is a great way for community organisations to raise much-needed funds. It is the practice of raising many small amounts of money from a large number of people, typically via the Internet. Pozible is an online crowdsourcing tool.

It provides the platform for project creators to present their ideas to a connected audience, worldwide. Around 10,900 projects have raised more than $45m in crowdsourcing pledges on the Pozible site.

Pozible’s Crowdfunding Handbook (8MB).

Planned Giving and Bequests

Natalie Egleton, CEO of FRRR, Patrick Moriarty, Director of Training and Development at Our Community, and special guest Wendy Brooks, MD and Founder of Wendy Brooks Consulting, discussed what is planned giving, how to organise it, and how to manage it.

Funding Beyond Grants – Webinar:

Nine Steps to Successful Bequest Programs (PDF)

Gifts in Wills Fundraising Strategy (PDF)

Gifts, Wills, Bequests and Endowments (PDF) by Justice Connect

The ACNC’s Small Charities Library has a range of great resources that cover topics including Tax, DGR and other concessions; reporting; managing conflicts of interest; managing staff and volunteers; complaints handling; meetings and preparing a practical agenda; plus templates, checklists and self-assessments to help you effectively manage your small organisation.

ACNC Small Charities Library

Applying with FRRR

When you are ready to start your application to an FRRR grant program, the Applying page will walk you through the things you need to check off.

Each FRRR grant program has its own specific application form, which all applicants must complete and submit via FRRR’s online grants administration system called Grants Gateway.

Every application needs to be made by, or have the support of, an organisation that holds either an ABN or Incorporation Certificate. If your organisation doesn’t have an ABN or Incorporation Certificate, FRRR may still fund the project (with your organisation as the delivery organisation) but you need another organisation’s support, which we refer to as the ‘legal organisation’.

Even though your delivery organisation may complete the application (and will be doing the work), it’s the overarching legal organisation’s legal and financial information that needs to be provided. They also need to provide a Letter from the Legal Entity, confirming they are willing to play this role, with a template available here for your convenience.

The financial documentation may be the latest Annual Report financial pages usually available on the overarching legal organisation’s website. This situation often occurs when the organisation delivering the activity or project is a branch of an overarching organisation – such as a local fire agency like Country Fire Authority or SES branches.

If the funds you are applying for will be used to carry out works on property that is not owned by your organisation, you must provide a letter signed by the property owner to show that they are aware of the application and give approval for the intended project to be carried out. Evidence of permission from the property owner can be based on the template available here for your convenience.

FRRR strongly recommends that you provide supporting materials such as letters of support, community plans, survey results, photographs, media clips and research reports that can show broad community support and partnerships involved in the project. Large documents should be referenced and explained in the application. Letters of support for the organisation or project can be based on the template outlined here.

For more information on the online application process:

Grants Gateway How-To Guide (PDF)

Grants Gateway FAQs

FRRR’s Assessment Considerations (PDF) – a comprehensive explanation of what information we need from you in your application, and why. Please consult the individual grant pages for specific information and supporting documents.

FRRR requires grant recipients to provide a Final Report that includes information on the completed project including full acquittal of funds expenditure and photos. Learn more about this on the Reporting page.

The Reporting Process

Every project can benefit from some media love and attention. FRRR has developed a media tip sheet (PDF) that community groups and organisations can reference when developing media releases.

Planning to share your story on social media? Please tag FRRR as we love to see your posts! Instructions on how to tag FRRR on any major social media platform can be found here (PDF).

Share your results:

Taking better photos

It’s an old adage that a picture is worth a thousand words. It’s true too – but only if it’s a good photo.

Photos will help potential funders understand your situation – what you are trying to fix or improve – and they are also invaluable in showing donors what you did with the funding. But not everyone knows how to take a good photo.

We’ve collated a number of tips that will help you take better photos.

If you have read this information and are still unsure of something, then we are more than happy to answer your questions.

Don’t hesitate to contact the FRRR office on free call 1800 170 020 or email us.

Have a question?
Check our FAQs

Explore

Grantseeker resources

Have all your grant-related questions answered and find all the know-how on grantseeking and funding. 

You can also sign up to our monthly eNews which contains Community Tips and all the latest updates on our grant programs. You can also check our FAQs if you have a question about the grantseeking process with FRRR.

Grantseeking with FRRR

In this section we cover off the basics of grantseeking with FRRR, with links to our Frequently Asked Questions, Webinars, and the ACNC’s Small Charities Library.

You can also check our FAQs if you have a question about the grantseeking process with FRRR.

Visit FAQs

Many of FRRR’s webinars are recorded and uploaded to our YouTube channel:

The Know and the How series playlistGrantseeker Workshop playlist
  • The ACNC’s Small Charities Library has a range of great resources that cover topics including Tax, DGR and other concessions; reporting; managing conflicts of interest; managing staff and volunteers; complaints handling; meetings and preparing a practical agenda; plus templates, checklists and self-assessments to help you effectively manage your small organisation.
  • In June 2025, we hosted a webinar that was delivered in partnership with The Social Impact Hub, supported by the Future Drought Fund’s Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative. This Governance & Planning Workshop is for community leaders and volunteers looking to boost their governance skills, learn practical tools to set a strategic plan with clear 90-180 day goals and meet key government requirements. 
WATCH: Governance & Planning Workshop

Ann Bichel, 2013 Queensland Community Philanthropist of the Year, has raised more than $1.5M for her Lockyer Valley community. In this short video, she shares her tips for successfully seeking grants.

Seeking inspiration for your project? Check out some of these great community projects funded by our generous donors on our YouTube channel.

Projects we have funded: ArtsProjects we have funded: Disaster RecoveryProjects we have funded: Environment & WildlifeProjects we have funded: YouthProjects we have funded: Community Development

Project Planning & Preparation

This is one of the most important stages in getting a grant for your community project. In this section we have included a number of useful short videos to help you plan and prepare for your project.

Identifying what your community needs is an important first step in planning a project.

These one minute clips outline successful strategies used by community groups:

To get started, fill out a template of standard information you will need at hand when applying for grants – try using this template from Our Community. You could also use our simple Project Planning Tool to record information. A great place to start when you are planning to apply for a grant is with these four animated clips.

If you are new to grantseeking, we’ve developed this handy Insights and Tips on the Four Grantseeker Stages. We suggest you also watch this short video as well.

The FRRR Expertise Pool is a network of highly-experienced consultants from around the country, with a proven track record of working in collaboration with community organisations to achieve their mission.

Experts are located all over Australia, including remote, rural and regional areas. Some are based in metro areas but have proven experience working with grassroots organisations in remote, rural or regional areas.

Learn more about how you can have a free no-obligation conversation about your needs, as you plan or implement your project.

Learn about FRRR's Expertise Pool

Funding options for your project

This section delves into money matters – where and how to access funding for your project; understanding how much you need; and fundraising options beyond grants.

Making a plan and devising a strategy to fundraise for your project is crucial. Find out more below about fundraising avenues beyond grants that may be available to your community group. Download these tips for getting started in fundraising.

FRRR Not-for-Profit Fundraising Accounts

Did you know that all taxpayers can make tax-deductible gifts or donations to organisations with deductible gift recipient (DGR) status, and keep the receipts to claim back from the ATO on their tax bills as a deduction?

This is a major incentive for giving, as donors to these groups are effectively directing where their tax money is going. Having DGR status greatly assists groups to fundraise by receiving donations from businesses and individuals in their community, and to access philanthropic funds, as Trusts and Foundations often require grantseekers to have DGR status.

By partnering with FRRR via a Not-for-Profit Fundraising Account, community organisations can leverage FRRR’s special tax status to assist in achieving their fundraising goals for specific projects or activities to address a community need.

Learn more about NFP Fundraising Accounts
Tax deductible donations through the Australian Sports Foundation

Another group that is able to help communities fundraise is the Australian Sports Foundation (ASF). The ASF program enables tax-deductible donations in support of a sport-related project – an area not normally considered charitable for philanthropic funders.

The ASF works with sporting clubs, sporting organisations (regional, state, and national), government and independent schools, councils, government agencies, and community groups to increase opportunities for Australians to participate in sport, and/or excel in sports performance. You can find out more from their website.

Crowdfunding is a great way for community organisations to raise much-needed funds. It is the practice of raising many small amounts of money from a large number of people, typically via the Internet. Pozible is an online crowdsourcing tool.

It provides the platform for project creators to present their ideas to a connected audience, worldwide. Around 10,900 projects have raised more than $45Mm in crowdsourcing pledges on the Pozible site.

Download Pozible’s Crowdfunding Handbook (8MB).

Natalie Egleton, CEO of FRRR, Patrick Moriarty, Director of Training and Development at Our Community, and special guest Wendy Brooks, MD and Founder of Wendy Brooks Consulting, discussed what is planned giving, how to organise it, and how to manage it.

 

Additional resources:

Applying with FRRR

When you are ready to start your application to an FRRR grant program, the information in the How to Apply section on each grant program page will walk you through the things you need to check off.

Each FRRR grant program has its own specific application form, which all applicants must complete and submit via FRRR’s online grants administration system.

NOTE: We began using a new granting system, BBGM, in June 2025, with the transition taking place until the end of 2025. By then, all applications and acquittals will move to the new platform.

All users will need to create a new account – but the system is easier to use and more secure.

Click here to learn more.

  • Every application needs to be made by, or have the support of, an organisation that holds either an ABN or Incorporation Certificate. If your organisation doesn’t have an ABN or Incorporation Certificate, FRRR may still fund the project (with your organisation as the delivery organisation) but you need another organisation’s support, which we refer to as the ‘legal organisation’.
  • Even though your delivery organisation may complete the application (and will be doing the work), it’s the overarching legal organisation’s legal and financial information that needs to be provided. They also need to provide a Letter from the Legal Entity, confirming they are willing to play this role, with a template available here for your convenience.
  • The financial documentation may be the latest Annual Report financial pages usually available on the overarching legal organisation’s website. This situation often occurs when the organisation delivering the activity or project is a branch of an overarching organisation – such as a local fire agency like Country Fire Authority or SES branches.
  • If the funds you are applying for will be used to carry out works on property that is not owned by your organisation, you must provide a letter signed by the property owner to show that they are aware of the application and give approval for the intended project to be carried out. Evidence of permission from the property owner can be based on the template available here for your convenience.
  • FRRR strongly recommends that you provide supporting materials such as letters of support, community plans, survey results, photographs, media clips and research reports that can show broad community support and partnerships involved in the project. Large documents should be referenced and explained in the application. Letters of support for the organisation or project can be based on the template outlined here.

For more information on the online application process:

  • Blackbaud Grants Portal How-To Guide (COMING SOON)
  • Blackbaud Grants Portal FAQs (COMING SOON)
  • FRRR’s Assessment Considerations (PDF) – a comprehensive explanation of what information we need from you in your application, and why. Please consult the individual grant pages for specific information and supporting documents.

 

The reporting process

FRRR requires grant recipients to provide a Final Report that includes information on the completed project including full acquittal of funds expenditure and photos. 

Learn more about FRRR's reporting requirements

When your group applies for a grant from FRRR or any other funding body, you will be asked how you plan to measure your project’s success.

Here are some tips on some of the simple but effective methods of measuring the success of your project:

1. Clearly identify what you want to achieve/ change and ensure there is broad support for this aspiration from those to benefit and be involved.

2. Consider and identify what the Inputs, Outputs and Outcomes will be:

  • Inputs are the things that will go into the project to make it happen: money, people / skills, time, equipment etc.
  • Outputs are the things that happen or are done as a result of the inputs: a course run with 10 participants, 50 volunteers plant 500 trees, website created, etc.
  • Outcomes are the things that improved or changed as a result of the project – these link back to your goals and objectives: participants more confident in the use of computers, increased level of community participation in volunteering, local businesses reported an increase in revenue during a festival or shop-local campaign.

3. Record and track your project’s inputs, outputs and outcomes. It is best to determine how you are going to do this before starting your project so that you can collect information as you go and save time in the long run. Some ways of recording and tracking your project’s success include:

  • Recording quantifiable results, e.g. number of participants, trees planted, cakes baked, etc.
  • Feedback questionnaires and interviews gather information about the impact of a project straight from those it intended to benefit.
  • Photographs are a great way to tell your project’s story and are a powerful means of tracking a project over time, especially where there is physical change such as a plant-out or building restoration.
    Tip: make sure they are digital and of high enough quality to be printed.
  • Before and after surveys with participants and stakeholders – enabling a comparison of change.

One of the best parts of finishing your project is telling everyone about it. What better way is there to celebrate what you’ve achieved! We’ve put together some great tips for telling your story to help your share your achievements far and wide. 

And of course, every project can benefit from some media love and attention. FRRR has developed a media tip sheet that community groups and organisations can reference when developing media releases.

Planning to share your story on social media? Please tag FRRR as we love to see your posts! Instructions on how to tag FRRR on any major social media platform can be found here (PDF), or simply click on the icons below.

Watch the video below for more tips on sharing your story.

It’s an old adage that a picture is worth a thousand words. It’s true too – but only if it’s a good photo.

Photos will help potential funders understand your situation – what you are trying to fix or improve – and they are also invaluable in showing donors what you did with the funding. But not everyone knows how to take a good photo.

We’ve collated a number of tips that will help you take better photos.

FRRR is proud to support hundreds of remote, rural and regional not-for-profit organisations, and to work with so many donor partners.

If you have donated to, or received a grant from FRRR, you may wish to include FRRR’s logo in communications, social media, videos, signage or any other materials promoting your important work.

FRRR has a suite of logos suitable for use in communication and the promotional materials of grant recipients, partner organisations, donors and media.

We like to keep track of where our logo is appearing, so please complete the form below, and then you will be taken to our assets download page, which includes our brand guidelines document.

Download FRRR logos

Useful Resources

The following resources and sites may be of use to community groups and NFPs, as you plan and execute your projects.

Build stronger applications with real data about your community

Every community in remote, rural and regional Australia has a story – of resilience, challenges, and hope. The FRRR Community Data Tool, created in partnership with Seer Data and funded by the Australian Government, is here to help you tell that story with confidence.

We know not all community groups have the time to access the many online resources available to locate the data they need, whether it be for their grant application, submission or project. This tool gives you easy access to reliable data in ONE place. 

It’s designed to support community groups to show the real need in their community that is driving their work, and to help funders see the impact that their support can make.

So we’ve made it super simple for you to pull up key data about your community by just entering the location name in the FRRR Community Data Tool. And if you want to dive deeper, we also have links to some excellent resources that we love to use here at FRRR.

We appreciate the Australian Government’s support in developing this tool through the Rebuilding Regional Communities program.

"Accessible, reliable local data is the foundation of genuine community resilience. The FRRR Community Data Tool is the first step for community groups to prove the need for effective, place-based solutions.
This approach is essential to our ‘Living Well in the Bega Valley’ initiative."
Tim Whitaker – Local Community Leader and Founding Member of the
Bega Valley Data Collective

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FRRR issues a monthly newsletter, with updates about current grant programs. We also share stories about how communities have used grants from FRRR and our donors and partners to enhance their communities

To subscribe, simply complete this form. You can unsubscribe at any time.

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