Eastern Star
Foundation
2025-26 Grant Round
2025-26 Grant Round
The Eastern Star Foundation is a philanthropic foundation whose focus is on helping to improve outcomes for the aged in Queensland.
The Eastern Star Foundation is proud to announce this year’s grant round will have a total funding pool of $150,000 with a focus on supporting Queensland’s ageing communities, particularly those who suffer from mobility issues, sickness or disease to improve and enhance their quality of life. Grant applications can be up to the value of $50,000 for one year.
Before you apply, read the guidelines below or download here.
ABOUT THE EASTERN STAR FOUNDATION
Values
Dignity, independence and hope
Vision
To empower those who enhance the quality of life for the ageing communities in Queensland.
Mission
Provide financial assistance to help initiatives become a reality for charities that care for Queensland’s ageing communities, support their independence, and are committed to helping them live well.
Guidelines
Funding considerations
The Eastern Star Foundation aims to support programs and initiatives that support the ageing communities in Queensland.
The program/initiative must help older people to:
- remain independent;
- practice choice;
- participate in their community;
- have a support network;
- experience healthy ageing.
The Foundation targets and funds programs or initiatives that:
- has limited access to other funding; or
- has a funding gap that needs to be filled for the program/initiative to proceed; and
- embed sustainability as a strategic priority and can demonstrate implementation of their sustainability plan over time.
Where possible, the Foundation encourages and prioritises programs and initiatives that support older women.
Grant eligibility
Applicants must be an organisation operating in Queensland for the benefit of Queensland and Queenslanders. Additionally, the organisation must be:
- operating in Queensland for the benefit of Queenslanders;
- a registered charity with Charity Tax Concession status; and
- be a Deductible Gift Recipient – Item 1 (DGR 1) or have a partnership in place with an auspice organisation with DGR 1 status.
Exclusions and limitations
All projects must:
- operating in Queensland for the benefit of Queenslanders. There may also be a broader benefit to Australians arising from the program or initiative.
- be an evidence-based program / initiative that helps older people to remain independent, practice choice, participate in their community, have a support network and experience healthy ageing.
The Foundation will not fund:
- projects outside of Queensland
- retrospective or deficit funding
- general fundraising appeals
- promotion of religion
- political organisations
- direct grants to individuals, including travel expenses, personal study or attendance at conferences
- charities who directly support animals unless the animals provide assistance for older people with a disability within the aged community (e.g. registered assistance dogs).
How to apply
Applications open at 8am AEST on Monday, 13 October 2025, and close at 4pm AEST on Friday, 19 December 2025. Preview the application form here.
To submit a grant application, you must be logged into a registered account on the Australian Communities Foundation Grants Portal and enter the access code ESFGR2025.
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 login details as you will be able to save and continue the form at a later date.
Please note: All applications must be submitted in full with all supporting documentation by 4pm AEST on the closing date. Any incomplete applications or applications received after 4pm AEST will be treated as ineligible.