Five ways to strengthen your grantseeking before June 30

The end of a financial year isn’t just about closing the books. At the Funding Centre, we typically see a surge in new funding rounds from July 1, making June an ideal time for not-for-profits and community groups to reflect on the year that’s been and prepare for the opportunities ahead.

Here are five practical things you can do before June 30.

1. Review your funding pipeline

Before looking for new grants, take stock of what you already have in front of you.

Ask yourself:

• What grants are currently open?

• Which applications are due in the next three months?

• Are there acquittals or reporting deadlines approaching?

• What projects will need funding in FY2026-27?

A simple funding calendar can help you spot upcoming priorities and avoid last-minute scrambles later in the year.

Helpful resources

• Casting the grants net wide

• View all grants tools and resources

2. Gather evidence while it’s fresh

One of the biggest challenges in grant writing is finding evidence when you need it.

Use this time to collect:

• participant numbers

• volunteer hours

• testimonials and case studies

• photos and project outcomes

• community impact data

Even a basic spreadsheet or folder of evidence can save hours when grant opportunities arise in the new financial year.

Organisations that write strong applications are often the ones that have their information organised before funding rounds open.

Helpful resources

• Assigning value to volunteer labour

• Statistical tools to assist grant applications

3. Look beyond grants

Many community organisations focus exclusively on grants, but grants are only one piece of the funding puzzle.

June is a good time to think about other potential income streams or support platforms, such as:

• sponsorships

• local business partnerships

• donations and fundraising

• in-kind support

You may discover opportunities to diversify your income and build relationships that support your work over the long term.

Helpful resources

• Finding sponsors

• The seven pillars of fundraising

• View all partnerships tools and resources

4. Get organised for applications due later in the year

If you know that you’ll be applying for funding in July, August or September, start now.

Preparing early gives you time to:

• confirm eligibility

• gather supporting documents

• update budgets

• seek letters of support

• draft key application responses

Strong applications are rarely rushed.

Consider also whether June can be a good time to take a moment to assess whether technology can meaningfully assist your mission.

For example, if you’re interested in learning more about practical tools that can reduce administrative workload, including AI, there’s a free webinar later this month exploring how community organisations are using technology to save time and focus on impact.

Free webinar

Less admin, more impact – practical AI for NFPs

June 22, 2026 | Online

Register for upcoming webinar

5. Review the tools and systems that support your grantseeking

The end of financial year is a natural time to review what’s working and what isn’t.

Some organisations rely on spreadsheets, calendars and free resources. Others use funding databases and grant management tools to streamline their processes.

If you’ve decided that improving grantseeking systems is part of your plan for the new financial year, there are resources around, including a wealth of potential tools at Funding Centre (see below).

All of the above is why, for many community organisations, June is about more than balancing the books. It’s an opportunity to reflect, get organised and head into the new financial year with confidence.

A little preparation now can make a big difference when new funding opportunities start appearing from July onwards.