Aarnja
Significant Support Grants for Kimberley-based Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations
Aarnja is the regional body for Kimberley Aboriginal people. Its vision is to empower Kimberley Aboriginal people, communities and organisations to have a strong Aboriginal identity and share in all of the social and economic opportunities of modern society.
Significant Support Grants are being provided to assist Kimberley Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCOs) with leveraged funding for one-off projects.
Grants of between $20,000 to $50,000 per annum (up to three years) are available for Kimberley-based ACCOs, such as those participating in the annual AGMs. These grants are awarded for a one-off project for a period of one to three years.
The amount granted cannot exceed 50% of the total project cost.
Eligibility
If you want to apply for this grant you must speak to the Aarnja CEO first.
You can apply for this grant if you:
• Are a Kimberley-based ACCO (Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation)
• Can demonstrate financial need and impact (must be able to provide evidence why is the initiative needed, gaps, etc; and how/who will benefit by this initiative being delivered)
• Can demonstrate good governance and compliance (must provide supporting documents, including registration, recent financial/audit report, annual report)
• Have not received Aarnja funding for five years from last payment
You cannot apply for this grant if you are:
• Prescribed Bodies Corporates (PBCs)
What Aarnja will fund
Example activities that funds can be used for include:
• Up to 30% overheads and capacity building
• Salaries
• Equipment and infrastructure.
What Aarnja won’t fund
Example activities that funds can be used for include:
- Retrospective activities
- Political or illegal activities
- Commercial or for-profit purposes, including investments, etc.
Key dates
Applications are open all year round with particular cut-off dates throughout the year for assessment purposes. If an application is received after the cut-off date, it will be assessed in the next round.
- First round closes: 11:59pm AWST Thursday 20 March 2025
- Second round closes: 11:59pm AWST Wednesday 16 July 2025
- Third round dates: TBC
- Fourth round dates: TBC
How to apply
STEP 1
Read the guidelines above to make sure your project or activity meets the objectives. You can download the guidelines here and preview the application here.
STEP 2
Register for the Australian Communities Foundation Grants Portal. If you already have an account through Australian Communities Foundation, please use your existing username and password. Make sure to note your username and password as you will be able to save and continue the form at a later date.
STEP 3
Log into the system and complete the Aarnja Foundation eligibility form. If this does not display automatically, click the Apply button in the top left of the dashboard. You will not require an Access Code.
STEP 4
Don’t forget to submit your application before the closing date. As applications are open all year round, there are particular cut-off dates throughout the year for assessment purposes. Check the website for the upcoming dates.
STEP 5
The panel will consider your application and you will be notified of your application after the next upcoming Board Meeting (April, August, October, December).
STEP 6
If successful, you will need to sign a grant agreement and provide your bank details. Funding will be released only when these are received.
STEP 7
You will be asked to provide a receipt upon receiving funding.
There is a reporting process but we want to keep it simple. Once you have completed your project and/or every 12 months from receiving funding, you will need to submit a written report and financial acquittal/audit report. You can also provide supporting information such as photos, social media posts, newsletters, etc.