Funding Centre category definitions
The Funding Centre has over 40 grant categories to help you find the grants you are looking for.
Each grant is assigned one primary category and at least one secondary category. You can narrow down your search by filtering by primary category only, or keep your search broad by including results that may contain secondary categories.
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Our grant categories are derived from CLASSIE, a classification system developed by Our Community for social sector initiatives and entities in Australia and New Zealand. Below is a summary of each of our grant categories.
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples | Programs and initiatives that support the rights, culture, and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including preserving traditions, improving access to services, and strengthening community connections. |
| Aged care and seniors | Services and social spaces for older adults, including health care, social activities, and help to stay active, independent, and connected. Grants for those who provide care for the elderly may also be included here. |
| Agriculture, fisheries and forestry | Activities that involve growing food, raising animals, fishing, and managing forests. This includes supporting farmers, protecting natural resources, and making sure food and materials are safe and sustainable. |
| Animal welfare | Services that look after the health, safety, and wellbeing of animals—both pets and wildlife. This includes shelters, rescue services, adoption, and promoting responsible pet care. |
| Arts and culture | Programs that celebrate and support creativity, including painting, music, dance, theater, writing, and cultural history. Includes museums, art schools, and events that bring communities together through the arts. |
| Bushfire and disaster relief | Support for communities affected by bushfires and other natural disasters, such as emergency aid, recovery programs, and helping people rebuild their lives and homes. |
| Business and industry | Support for small and large businesses to grow, create jobs, and boost the economy. Includes advice, training, and resources to help businesses start, improve, or expand. |
| Children and families | Programs that help families and children live safe, happy, and healthy lives. Includes parenting support, early childhood services, and family counseling. |
| Communication media | Covers TV, film, books, podcasts, radio, websites, and other ways we share information and stories. Also includes programs that teach media skills and help people create content. |
| Community development | Efforts to make communities better places to live by building stronger connections, supporting local projects, and improving shared spaces and services. |
| Construction | The safe and planned building of homes, offices, roads, and public spaces. Includes ensuring building standards are met and construction is done responsibly. |
| COVID-19 | Programs and responses directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including health services, vaccinations, community support, and recovery planning. |
| Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) people | Support and services for people from multicultural backgrounds, including cultural events and programs that help new arrivals feel at home. |
| Economic development | Helping local economies grow by supporting new businesses, creating jobs, attracting investment, and making sure communities have strong financial futures. |
| Education | All kinds of learning, from preschool to university, and adult education. Also includes tutoring, literacy programs, and learning English as a second language. |
| Emergency and safety | Services that protect the public from danger, including police, fire services, emergency responders, and programs that teach safety and disaster preparedness. |
| Employment | Help for people to find jobs, learn new skills, and build a career. Includes job training, resume help, and programs that make sure workplaces are fair and safe. Programs that include the support and generation of jobs may also be found here. |
| Environment | Protecting the planet by reducing pollution, saving water and energy, and caring for animals and natural spaces. Includes environmental education and action. |
| Health | Health services and promotions that keep people physically and mentally well, from doctor visits to hospitals, health education, disease prevention, and care for all ages. |
| Heritage and history | Programs that help people learn about and connect with history, culture, and their own family backgrounds. Includes local historical societies and museums along with preservation and restoration of heritage listed sites. |
| Homelessness and housing | Helping people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. This includes housing, meals, showers, and support to find long-term accommodation. This grant category may also relate to programs aiming to increase housing and improve access and affordability. |
| Human services | Wide-ranging support for people in need, including care for children and the elderly, support for people with disabilities, and programs that help with daily living. |
| Infrastructure | Planning and building key public facilities like roads, bridges, and utilities to support safe and well-functioning communities. |
| International economics and trade | Activities that focus on international trade and economic growth, including supporting exports, trade agreements, and helping businesses reach global markets. |
| International | Efforts to build peaceful and friendly relationships between countries through cultural exchange, diplomacy, aid, and international cooperation. |
| LGBTQIA+ people | Support and advocacy for people who identify as LGBTQIA+. Programs focus on inclusion, safety, rights, and celebrating diverse identities. |
| Manufacturing | Support for creating or improving products in factories, especially using new technologies. Helps industries grow and stay competitive. |
| Mental health | Support for emotional wellbeing and mental health, including counseling, crisis support, therapy, and programs that help people manage stress or mental illness. |
| People with disabilities | Services that help people with disabilities live full, independent lives. Includes housing, education, work, and community participation support as well as support for those who work or volunteer in a care capacity. |
| Professional development | Learning opportunities for adults to improve skills, switch careers, or explore personal interests. Includes online courses, workshops, and training programs. |
| Religion and faith-based spirituality | Activities connected to religious beliefs and practices, including worship, religious education, and community events run by faith groups. |
| Research | Programs that develop new ideas, technologies, or products. Research can be scientific, medical, or business-related and often leads to future improvements. |
| Retail and service sector | Shops and businesses that sell goods or provide services like haircuts or repairs. Includes support for local businesses and improving customer experiences. |
| Rural and regional | Helping rural and regional communities grow by supporting jobs, services, and improving quality of life in remote or less populated areas. |
| Science and technology | Programs that explore and promote science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), including research and the development of new technology. |
| Social enterprise | Support for businesses that are created to solve social or environmental problems, using their profits to help communities instead of just making money. |
| Sport and recreation | Activities and spaces that help people stay active and have fun, including sports teams, clubs, parks, and recreational programs. |
| Start-up | Support for entrepreneurs and new businesses, including advice, funding opportunities, and spaces to try out new ideas. |
| Students | Support for school and university students, including academic programs, mentoring, extracurricular activities, and student services. |
| Tourism | Programs that promote tourism and help visitors explore local areas, including events, visitor centers, and cultural or natural attractions. |
| Women | Services and programs that support women and girls in all areas of life, including health, safety, leadership, and economic empowerment. |
| Youth development | Support for young people through education, leadership training, mentoring, social activities, and building life skills. |