Australian Communities Foundation receives funding proposals from a wide range of organisations through our Funding Platform.
See below for the latest granting recommendations from our Philanthropy Team.
Are you an ACF Fundholder? Make a grant request by logging in to your Fund Portal or contacting our Philanthropy Team: [email protected].
Racial Justice Granting Ideas
Recent anti-immigration rallies and attacks on First Nations spaces reflect a troubling rise in racism and movements that undermine inclusion and democratic values.
These events have damaged social cohesion, threatened community safety, and emboldened ideologies rooted in racial exclusion. The ‘March for Australia’ movement, widely condemned for its ties to white nationalism, has put communities of colour at risk and highlighted the urgent need for coordinated responses.
Philanthropy has a vital role to play in countering these forces by supporting organisations that challenge hate, promote belonging, and advance racial justice. Here are five organisations doing vital work in this space.
Housing for the Aged Action Group: Working with older people to achieve housing justice
📍VIC
Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG) supports older Victorians at risk of homelessness through its Home at Last service. It offers housing advice, advocacy, and education to both communities and professionals, focusing on early intervention for people aged 50+ facing housing barriers.
Why we recommend: Older people, especially women 55+, are one of the fastest growing groups facing housing insecurity and homelessness in Australia. With HAAG’s member-led advocacy grounded in lived experience and strong community ties, the organisation is uniquely positioned to lead the advocacy for tailored and specialist support, housing pathways and solutions for older Australians at risk.
Live4Life: Empowering rural communities to improve youth mental health
📍Nationwide
Live4Life is the only youth mental health education and suicide prevention model designed specifically for rural and regional communities. It delivers evidence-based programs in schools and communities that build mental health literacy, leadership skills, and peer support networks.
Why we recommend: Youth suicide rates in rural and regional areas are 50% higher than in metro regions, and 63% of young people can’t access the support they need. Youth Live4Life is the only evidence-based model tailored to these communities. With strong local partnerships, the organisation is driving real change in youth mental health, building resilience and reducing stigma in areas where services are limited.
Positive Change for Marine Life: Rewilding our Floodplains Project
📍NSW
Positive Change for Marine Life (PCFML) empowers communities to protect and restore our one, shared ocean through understanding, education, and respect — building long-term solutions that benefit both the sea and the people who depend on it. PCFML’s Rewilding Our Floodplains project rehabilitates wetlands and riparian zones along the Brunswick River in Northern NSW, boosting biodiversity and climate resilience. The project has a funding gap of $120,000.
Why we recommend: Marine ecosystems face growing threats from pollution, overfishing, and habitat loss, affecting communities that depend on healthy oceans. PCFML empowers people to protect marine environments while improving livelihoods through circular economy principles, climate adaptation, and nature-based solutions. Their inclusive, community-led approach engages First Nations groups, youth, women, fishers, farmers, and local businesses, ensuring long-term sustainability across diverse cultural and ecological contexts.
Climate Defenders Australia: Protecting and advancing the rights of frontline environmental defenders
📍National
Climate Defenders Australia (CDA) is the first legal service dedicated to protecting and empowering frontline climate and environmental defenders. With deep roots in civil society and climate advocacy, CDA combines legal expertise with lived experience. In response to laws across Australia that restrict protest rights, often targeting climate defenders, CDA provides legal education, advice and representation to those most vulnerable in the justice system, helping safeguard democratic freedoms and support climate action.
Why we recommend: The freedom to protest is vital to democracy, and climate defenders face increasing legal threats. CDA fills a critical gap in the climate justice movement by offering specialist legal support to those on the frontlines. The organisation helps protect people driving change for nature and climate, through legal advocacy, education and representation, meeting the urgent and growing needs of defenders across Australia.
Galiwin’ku Women’s Space: Building a stronger and safer community in Galiwin’ku, NT
📍NT
Galiwin’ku Women’s Space was formed in 2015 by a group of dedicated Yolŋu women passionate about finding a solution to the ongoing domestic and family violence being experienced within the Galiwin’ku community. The group works with local, Territory and national service providers to support projects that seek to create a solution to domestic and family violence in Galiwin’ku.
Why we recommend: Galiwin’ku Women’s Space is the only Yolŋu-led organisation offering essential domestic and family violence support on Elcho Island, including crisis accommodation, case management, outreach, and wellbeing programs. The organisation responds to urgent community needs, including the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, through culturally grounded support rooted in Yolŋu traditions and laws. Continued funding is vital to sustain critical services and protect women and children in this remote community.
Language of Birds: Feature Film by Erica Glynn (Australian Cultural Fund)
📍NT
Language of Birds is a feature drama film written, directed and co-produced by First Nations creative, Erica Glynn (She Who Must Be Loved, In My Own Words, True Colours). Language of Birds is the story of an Aboriginal mother and daughter battling to fall in love after a lifetime apart.
Why we recommend: With growing national attention on truth-telling, we need more stories that highlight the long-term impacts of Stolen Generation policies. Through compelling, emotional storytelling, the film will connect audiences with First Nations experiences, building understanding and support for First Nations-led reconciliation policies and family healing programs.
Diversity Arts Australia: Increasing cultural diversity and racial equity in the arts
📍National
Diversity Arts Australia (DARTS) is the national voice for ethnocultural and racial equity in the arts, screen and creative sectors. Grounded in human rights and social justice, DARTS advocates for a creative sector that reflects Australia’s diversity – on screens, stages, in galleries, books, and leadership. Through research, partnerships, and capacity-building, DARTS works to ensure inclusive and sustainable creative expression across the country.
Why we recommend: Diversity Arts Australia plays a critical role in reshaping Australia’s creative landscape to reflect the country’s rich multicultural reality. As a broker between artists, industry, educators, and government, DARTS has a proven track record of developing research, events, training, and strategic programs that imagine a more inclusive creative sector, empowering leaders, creatives and organisations.
Second Echo Ensemble: Reimagining how art is made and who can make it
📍TAS
Second Echo Ensemble (SEE) is a disability-led arts organisation based in lutruwita/Tasmania, dedicated to breaking down barriers in the arts and creating a more inclusive cultural landscape. Its mission is to amplify the voices of diverse artists, fostering their growth and leadership through mentorship, training, and performance opportunities. SEE works to celebrate every story, ensuring that the experiences of disabled artists are seen, heard, and valued in both local and global contexts.
Why we recommend: Second Echo Ensemble is Tasmania’s only fully professional inclusive arts company, creating opportunities for artists with disability, chronic illness, neurodivergence, and long-term underemployment. Programs dismantle barriers to participation and normalise diversity in the arts. SEE leads inclusive arts advocacy, contributes to national policy reform, and engages deeply with communities. Backed by Creative Australia and Arts Tasmania, SEE delivers credible, impactful work that drives systemic change and empowers diverse voices in the arts.
Umeewarra Aboriginal Media Association: Keeping culture strong through creative media
📍National
Umeewarra Media is a proud Aboriginal-owned and operated media organisation based in Port Augusta, South Australia. For over three decades, it has been a vital voice for Aboriginal people, blending arts, culture and social justice to empower the community, especially young people experiencing disadvantage. At the heart of Umeewarra’s work is a deep commitment to storytelling through creative media.
Why we recommend: The First Nations media sector is underfunded but vital for sharing information, breaking down barriers, and promoting reconciliation. Umeewarra Media creates platforms for Aboriginal voices, shares cultural knowledge, and provides training for young Indigenous people. Programs foster identity, language, and pride, while building media skills and supporting community wellbeing.
LINA: Supporting local and independent digital newsrooms
📍National
The Local and Independent News Association (LINA) is a not-for-profit industry body supporting local and independent digital news publishers across Australia. LINA helps strengthen the diversity, relevance, and sustainability of news services, aiming for a vibrant, independent news landscape that serves communities nationwide.
Why we recommend: Australia’s media market is highly concentrated, with traditional news models in decline and local journalism under-resourced. LINA addresses these challenges by supporting digital publishers, combating misinformation, and building sector capacity. As a trusted, independent industry body, LINA advocates for a strong, diverse local news sector – essential for a healthy, informed democracy.
Looking for other granting ideas? Find a wide range of funding proposals on our Funding Platform. Filter by location, focus area and target population to find a project that aligns with your funding interests.