ACEREZ Community Grants Program application form

Instructions for applicants

Please note the important information below regarding your ACEREZ Community Grants Program application:

Applications must be completed and submitted by 5pm on 17 April 2026
Applications can be completed directly on the ACEREZ website or downloaded and submitted to ACEREZ via cwo.community@acerez-acjv.com.au
Applications cannot be changed or updated once submitted

Eligible applicants may access free grant writing support by filling out the expression of interest (EOI) form. Once an EOI form has been submitted, ACEREZ will assess and contact eligible applicants to provide details of the free grant writing support.

If you are unsure about any part of the application form, please contact ACEREZ prior to submitting by phoning 1800 298 379 or emailing cwo.community@acerez-acjv.com.au .

ACEREZ Community Grants Program details

ACEREZ is committed to improving the long-term economic and social outcomes for communities where we operate beyond the project’s lifecycle.

Our vision is to partner with our diverse communities to understand local needs and deliver improved, long-term social outcomes.

Applications for ACEREZ’s Community Grants Program Round 1 open on 1 March 2026.

There are two categories:

Small grants from $3,000 up to $50,000
Significant grants from $50,000 up to $1 million

Applications must align with at least one of the following priority areas:

Public amenity – Community facilities to enhance safety, access to local services or respond to extreme events
Education – Programs to enhance young people and inter-generational outcomes
Sports – Programs to support grassroots sport for community inclusion
Agriculture – Programs to support land and agricultural management
Health – Programs to support physical health, mental health and wellbeing
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities – Initiatives to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

Key program dates for Round 1

Applications open 9am on, 1 March 2026
Applications close 5pm on, 17 April 2026

Eligibility criteria

Eligible applicants must be either:

A council
A not-for-profit community organisation
An incorporated Aboriginal community organisation or a Local Aboriginal Land Council
A volunteer organisation such as NSW State Emergency Service (SES) or NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) that is individually incorporated
An organisation or individual endorsed and supported by a not-for-profit organisation or a council (auspice arrangement)

The following applications will not be considered:

Applications from religious or political groups for initiatives promoting religious beliefs or politically-related activities
Applications for initiatives promoting drug and alcohol, tobacco, or other inappropriate activities
Applications seeking funding for wages, prizes, ongoing rental fees, ongoing utilities fees, or retrospective payments
Applications for capital works to enhance or upgrade private/council-owned property without written consent or support from the property owner/council
ACEREZ reserves the right to determine whether an initiative or program is inappropriate

Application outcome

Successful applicants for Round 1 of the ACEREZ Community Grants Program will be notified in June 2026.

All applications are evaluated by the ACEREZ Community Grants Advisory Group, which provides independent recommendations to ACEREZ. The Advisory Group does not make funding decisions. ACEREZ will consider the recommendations and make the final determination on approved applications.

Applicants should refer to the ACEREZ website for the most up-to-date information.

Eligibility

Which local government area (LGA) does your project benefit?

Upper-Hunter Shire Council

Warrumbungle Shire Council

Dubbo Regional Council

Mid-Western Regional Council

Select your organisation type

Volunteer organisation, such as the SES or RFS brigade, that is individually incorporated

Not-for-profit community organisation

Incorporated Local Aboriginal Land Council or Aboriginal community organisation

Local council (Upper Hunter Shire Council, Warrumbungle Shire Council, Dubbo Regional Council or Mid-Western Regional Council)

None of the above, but we are officially supported by one of the organisation types listed above (this is called an auspice arrangement)

Applicant details

If you are applying on behalf of an organisation, include the organisation's details in this section

The applicant

Individual

Organisation

Individual or organisation name

Individual

Title

First name

Last name

Organisation

Name

Position (e.g. Secretary/Treasurer)

Applicant’s ABN (the ABN will be used to confirm Australian Business Register information) (if applicable)

ABN

Entity name

ABN status

Entity type

Goods & Services Tax (GST)

DGR endorsed (Y/N)

ATO charity type

ACNC registration

Tax concessions / Main business location

Applicant’s primary address

Email address:

Applicant’s phone number (must be an Australian phone number)

Applicant’s primary website (if there is one, it must be a URL)

(if applicable)

Organisation’s social media (URL – e.g., Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn)

(if applicable)

Please provide a brief description of the services your organisation provides to the community

Community benefits

Describe what changes and improvements will be made to the chosen priority area(s) identified as a result of your project?

(please answer in fewer than 250 words)

Estimated project costs and budget

Please provide a breakdown of estimated costs to deliver your project and supply at least two quotes (if relevant) for each service you need to support your application. Please include any other funding sources that will support the delivery of your project.

For example, you can include a scheduled funding plan, much partial funding is required for yosuch as howur project in the first 6 months and every 6 months thereafter.

Will your project have any ongoing maintenance or operational costs once it is completed?

Yes

If yes, what will these costs be, and how will these costs be covered?

Please upload any supporting documentation here including two quotes (if relevant):

Project measurement

What indicators could measure how your project has made a positive difference since it began?

(please answer in fewer than 250 words)

How will the project's sustainability be ensured in the long term, and how will this be supported after implementation?

(please answer in fewer than 250 words)

Declaration and authorisation

I declare this application meets the ACEREZ Community Grants Program eligibility criteria

Application has been prepared by and is being submitted by an eligible applicant 

The proposed project is located in the Central-West Orana REZ geographic area within the four Local Government Areas stated above 

Applicant agrees to entering into a funding agreement with ACEREZ

Projects can commence within 3 months of the commencement date of a funding agreement and must be completed by 31 December 2028

Disclaimer

The Applicant acknowledges and agrees that:

Submission of this application does not guarantee funding approval. ACEREZ expressly reserves the right to accept or decline this application at its discretion
They must bear the costs of preparing and submitting this application (other than the use of the free grant writing support). ACEREZ does not accept any liability for such costs, whether or not this application is accepted or declined
They have read the ACEREZ Community Grants Program Guidelines and are informed of the relevant requirements

Supporting documentation

Please upload any supporting documentation for your application

Submission and contact

If you would like to discuss your application or other aspects of the program, please contact us prior to submitting your application by phoning 1800 298 379 or emailing cwo.community@acerez-acjv.com.au. Our grant writer can also provide information.

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ACEREZ Community Grants Program application form

Instructions for applicants

ACEREZ Community Grants Program details

Key program dates for Round 1

Eligibility criteria

Application outcome

Eligibility

Applicant details

Details of your project or initiative

Community benefits

Estimated project costs and budget

Project measurement

Declaration and authorisation

Disclaimer

Supporting documentation

Submission and contact

Missing information

Error during submission

Submission received