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Grants for Good
Grants for Good
Our communities are at the heart of everything we do. Our grants are now open and are one way we give back to those we serve.
Wildlife officer holding a koala

Good for the community

Our Grants for Good program is open and is an important part of fostering connections with our community and demonstrating our dedication to a sustainable, innovative, and community-focused future. 

Grants are one important way we're helping communities in our network. By providing substantial funding through our Electrification Grants and Grassroots Grants, we're not just talking about our commitment to community and sustainability—we're actively investing in it. 

With a total of $140,000 in grant funding available - all you need is a good idea!

Grants will be awarded to projects that align with one or more of the following criteria; 

  • Electrification – projects that help community organisations transition to a more sustainable electric future.
  • Community – projects that strengthen connections in the community and bring people together.
  • Equity and accessibility – projects that help make electricity and renewable energy available to all.
  • Safety – projects that support the safety and wellbeing of the communities we work in.

*Note applicants must be based in our network area.

This year there are two streams of funding available

Our Electrification Grants, which help communities embrace the switch from gas to electric alternatives, with funding up to $15,000. 

What is electrification? It’s the switching from fossil fuels to electric alternatives, such as using electric appliances instead of gas or driving electric vehicles instead of petrol cars.

Our Grassroots Grants offer funding up to $5,000 and support causes and organisations our communities care about. You can nominate charities, volunteer groups, local sports teams and organisations in our network area for a range of initiatives that align with one or more of our grant criteria.

Grants are open from 24th October and close on 20th December.

 

How to apply

  • Apply for an Electrification Grant

    Our Electrification Grants support our communities to make the switch and benefit from the opportunities of electrification. Whether it be from reducing your power bills, or your greenhouse emissions, to improving the air quality in your environment.. 

    There are many ways electrification can support our communities, which is why we’re offering grants of up to $15,000 to help organisations access these benefits.  

    Looking for inspiration? Below are a few examples of how these grants could do good in your community. 

    • Purchasing of induction portable cooktops for community kitchens
    • Replacing gas appliance for electric in community housing to improve air quality for chronic asthma suffers
    • Helping not-for-profits go electric and cut costs on fuel with Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
    • Installing batteries to maximise use of Solar

     

     

  • Apply for a Grassroots Grant

    In addition to our Electrification Grants, we’re also supporting communities with our Grassroots Grants. 

    These grants allow you to nominate charities, volunteering groups, local sporting teams and organisations in our network area to receive funding up to $5,000, that align with one or more of our grants criteria.

    Our community grants, have supported over 35 community and volunteer organisations across the Hunter, Central Coast and Sydney, to help them better serve their communities. 

    To date, they have facilitated improved lighting in schools, access to lifesaving safety or sporting equipment, completion of first aid courses, coaching and mentoring initiatives, supported equitable access with participation of females in sport, youth learning of first nations cultural heritage while on country, delivery of safety programs to high schools and services for women and children experiencing domestic violence or homelessness.

    So, if it’s good for the community - we want to hear from you!


     

  • Eligibility criteria
    • Applicants must submit all required information by the application closing 20th December. 
    • Funds must be allocated within the calendar year.
    • The identified project must be delivered to a registered organisation operating within the Ausgrid network, and all  projects must be delivered within the Ausgrid network.
    • Organisations, individuals, or teams must not operate for commercial gain. 
    • Applicants must be aligned with Ausgrid’s values. 
    • Applications must not be related to partisan political campaigns.
    • Organisations or activities must not involve potentially hazardous activities.
    • Organisations or activities must be lawful.

A bit of Soul goes a long way at Soul Hub, Newcastle

We’re always inspired by the organisations and amazing people who benefit from our grants. Soul Hub Café is just one example, who kindly shared how the grant has supported their community as a past recipient. 

Soul Hub cafe staff

"Soul to me means family. If you are someone that’s never been here before; if you are a volunteer, a donor or guest the minute you set foot through the door you’ve become part of a family that cares & looks out for each other without judgements. It’s a family you feel has got your back not only for now but forever.” Ian.

"Ausgrid’s grant helped us provide a much-needed service to the increasing number of disadvantaged people in our community who need our assistance more than ever. While each week we serve nearly 1000 free meals, we feed a lot of guests in our café, we’re also committed to being ‘more than a meal’ and deliver a wide range of help and support to everyone that comes in, including our Soul social work and medical clinics, podiatry, audiology, chiropractic, legal and accommodation services, Centrelink, hairdressing, Service NSW and NDIS. We are community-funded, and couldn’t do what we do without the generous support of groups like Ausgrid."
Matt Ortiger, General Manager