Humanists Victoria
Youth Education and Empowerment Grant Round
Humanists Victoria exists to help create a civil society in which people can lead an ethical and fulfilling life, relying co-operatively on reason, ingenuity, compassion and creativity, free from supernatural beliefs. This philosophical approach to life respects the dignity of every individual and is called Humanism.
In pursuit of this vision, and focusing on youth, Humanists Victoria now seeks applications for its 2025 Youth Education and Empowerment Grant Round. Initial one-off grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 are available.
You can preview the grant guidelines here.
Eligibility
Recipient organisations must be:
- Active in Victoria
- Not-for-profit, incorporated or unincorporated entities
- Youth-focused (under 35) or where young people comprise a high proportion of volunteers
Focus Areas
Funding is available to initiatives that:
- Educate young people in humanistic thinking, drawing on the extensive resources available online from local and international humanist organisations.
- Empower young people to take responsibility for their own lives and of others, and to participate more fully in society.
Activities could include debates, discussion circles, lectures, and reading groups. Humanists Victoria is especially encouraging of face-to-face activities. Through these means, it envisages:
- Support being given to activists at risk of burnout and help groups retain activists.
- Steps taken to address isolation and anxiety amongst youth.
Priority will be given to groups able to link education and empowerment to issues of concern to young people. For example, inequality, Indigenous issues, climate and social justice, and housing – and to link humanism and ethics to those issues.
Geography
Funding is available for place-based activities in Victoria. Access to a venue for activities is important. Online activities are not precluded.
Target Populations
The primary target is people aged between 12 and 35. Humanists Victoria encourages applications from groups that work with marginalised young people and those experiencing discrimination, including but not limited to: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and refugees and people seeking asylum.
Use of Funds
Funding can be used for:
- Education, and
- Empowerment as related to our core focus areas
Funding cannot be used for:
- General fundraising appeals
- Projects or organisations that are political
- Retrospective activities
- Non-charitable activities
Humanists Victoria is looking for initiatives that:
- Offer possibilities for an engaged collaboration with Humanists Victoria.
- Involve young people in design, development and delivery.
- Show alignment with humanist values.
- Have the capacity to achieve the outcome/s sought, and specify evaluation criteria.
- Have the capacity to maintain the activity, or its influence, beyond the period of the grant.
Application process
To access and submit a grant application, you must be logged into the Australian Communities Foundation Grants Portal and enter the access code HV2025.
Please create an account on the Australian Communities Foundation Grants Portal here. If you already have an account, 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.
Preview the application form here.
Timeframes
- Applications are open from 9am AEST, Monday, 25 August 2025 to 5pm AEST, Thursday, 2 October 2025.
- Grant applications must be submitted by 5pm AEST on Thursday, 2 October 2025.
- Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified in late October 2025.
- Grants will be paid from mid-December 2025 onwards.
- Projects/initiatives to commence from January 2026 onwards.
All grant applications must be submitted in full, including any supporting documentation, by 5pm AEST on the closing date. Any incomplete applications or applications received after 5pm AEST will be treated as ineligible.
Need help?
If you have any questions in relation to the grant guidelines or require technical assistance with the application process, please contact Gabby Lam (Philanthropy Lead, Australian Communities Foundation) on 03 9412 0412 or email [email protected]. Australian Communities Foundation’s office hours are Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.
Humanists Victoria is a Named Fund at Australian Communities Foundation.