Community Grants Program (Quick Response Grants and First Nations Arts and Cultural Grants)

Community Grants Program (Quick Response Grants and First Nations Arts and Cultural Grants) is sponsored by City of Adelaide. These grants provide timely support for free or low-cost community-led initiatives in the City of Adelaide, focusing on arts and culture, social inclusion, participation, reconciliation, wellbeing, and lifelong learning.

Community Grants | City of Adelaide Pride March Adelaide 2024. Photo: Sam Graves The City of Adelaide’s Community Grants Program supports free and affordable community-led initiatives that foster a vibrant, connected, and inclusive city. By investing in grassroots creativity and collaboration, the program helps build a city that is welcoming, resilient, and full of life — where everyone feels they belong.

The Community Grants program comprises two focus areas. Funding supports arts and cultural projects that provide value to the city community and are open to all to attend.

Types of projects supported Arts and cultural festivals and events Reconciliation and truth-telling Applications received from Arts and cultural practitioners Cultural organisations, community arts, music venues Funding supports free or low-cost projects focused on social inclusion, participation, reconciliation, wellbeing, and lifelong learning.

Types of projects supported Multicultural events and gatherings Community sport and active recreation programs Volunteer training, including first aid Community cooking or active lifestyle initiatives (community yoga, meditation classes, etc.) Subsidies to support sport participation for priority groups Applications received from Community groups and non-profit organisations Volunteers and local leaders Social enterprises and grassroots initiatives Grant Timeframe Available funding Major Round Grants Open 30 October and close 5 December 2025.

$5,000–$20,000 Quick Response Grants and First Nations Arts and Cultural Grants Open 30 October until funds expended. Applications must be submitted at least 5 weeks prior to project start date. Up to $5,000 Apply for a Community Grant Please read the Community Grants Information Booklet 2025/26 and refer to the Funding Programs Policy before applying.

Determine the focus area for your project. If you are unsure you can get in touch at [email protected] . Submit an application form online using the correct focus area.

Quick Response Applications closed - funds expended Major Round Applications closed First Nations Arts and Culture Quick Response Applications closed - funds expended Major Round Applications closed There are currently no information sessions scheduled; however, you can view the information session slides below: Frequently asked questions Am I eligible for funding?

My project has both community and creative outcomes, where should I apply? Will there be other major Community Grants funding rounds this year? What’s the start date for projects funded in the major round?

My project is happening in less than 5 weeks; can I apply for a Quick Response Grant? My project does not have a physical location but is a project about the city, can I apply? My project is ticketed can I apply?

Can I apply for a grant under both of the Community Grants streams? Can I purchase equipment I need to deliver my project? I have been invited to attend an interstate sports competition or artist residency, can I apply for a grant to support my trip?

My project will bring significant economic outcomes to the city, can I apply for a Community Grant? Can I apply for funding for my artistic development project? Can I apply for funding to bring people to Adelaide to participate in my project?

Am I eligible for funding? Community Grants are for: Individuals, sole traders and partnerships Aboriginal Corporation and Torres Strait Islander Corporations Charities, charitable trusts and not-for-profit organisations Incorporated associations Companies limited by guarantee For-profit organisations with annual revenue less than $250,000 may apply if delivering community benefit.

For-profit organisations with an annual revenue of more than $250,000 are ineligible. For a full list of eligibility criteria please see the Community Grants Information Booklet . My project has both community and creative outcomes, where should I apply?

The primary purpose of a project should be used to determine where you apply. If your project has creative outcomes but the primary purpose is connecting local residents, then it sounds like the Community Impact focus area might be a better fit for your project.

If your project has community connections outcomes but the primary purpose is to exhibit artwork, then it sounds like the Arts and Culture focus area might be a better fit for your project. If you are still not sure please contact us on [email protected] or (08) 8203 7203 to discuss further. Will there be other major Community Grants funding rounds this year?

There is one major funding round this year. Applications close 5 December 2025. What’s the start date for projects funded in the major round?

The Community Grants 2025/26 major round supports projects taking place between 15 March 2026 - 15 March 2027. My project is happening in less than 5 weeks; can I apply for a Quick Response Grant? We cannot accept applications for projects happening less than 5 weeks from the date of submission due to the assessment and approval process required to administer funding.

My project does not have a physical location but is a project about the city, can I apply? All projects must have a physical outcome in the City of Adelaide that is open to the public to attend, such as an event or a mural in the public realm. My project is ticketed can I apply?

Projects can be ticketed. All projects must present value to the city community and accessibility and affordability are considered in the assessment process. Can I apply for a grant under both of the Community Grants streams?

You may apply for funding under each stream as long as you are applying for different projects. Can I purchase equipment I need to deliver my project? Equipment such as computers, drones, cameras and other equipment that could be considered capital expenditure or organisational assets that will have long term value beyond the duration of your project are not eligible budget items.

I have been invited to attend an interstate sports competition or artist residency, can I apply for a grant to support my trip? Community grants are only able to support projects with a physical outcome in the City of Adelaide. My project will bring significant economic outcomes to the city, can I apply for a Community Grant?

It sounds like your project might be a better fit for funding through City of Adelaide subsidiary Adelaide Economic Development Agency (AEDA). AEDA provide funding for projects that drive visitation, spend and support for local businesses and that increase the profile of the city and North Adelaide as a tourist destination. Can I apply for funding for my artistic development project?

All projects must have a physical outcome in the City of Adelaide that is open to the public. Projects that do not have a physical outcome in the City of Adelaide that the public may attend are not eligible for funding through the City Community Grants program. It is recommended to consider funding through Create SA or Creative Australia.

Can I apply for funding to bring people to Adelaide to participate in my project? Community Grants can support costs associated with travelling within South Australia as part of supported projects. Funding cannot support interstate or overseas travel or accommodation expenses.

Previously funded projects Find out more about the 2025/2026 Community Grants recipients: 2025/2026 Community Grants Quick Response recipients 2025/2026 Community Grants Major Round recipients GOCSA Dance Academy Dance Spectacular 'Den Lismono (Never Forget)' Greek Orthodox Community of SA presented a music and dance spectacle at the Royalty Theatre.

The performance featured songs, dance and theatrical sketches referring Greek historical events performed by 100 local and interstate dancers and second, third and fourth generation Greek musicians. PianoLab 2024 was held in June as a four-day festival transforming the conventional piano experience. Set in the digital immersive venue, The Lab, PianoLab is a celebration of music, creativity, and community well-being.

PianoLab showcased a diverse range of styles, from classical to jazz to contemporary approaches. Created by Adelaide’s ILVA (Independent Live Venues Alliance), this festival was a first-time collaboration between 7 x independently owned and operated live music venues to bring together artists and audiences and celebrate our live independent music sector.

D em Mob - 'Dip' Video Launch APY Lands hip hop band DEM MOB received funding to deliver a video launch event at The Lab. The event featured live performances by First Nations bands DEM MOB, Sonz of Serpent, Tunu Smith and DJ Mozzi.

Chinatown Association SA – Adelaide Lunar New Year Street Party With the support of a City of Adelaide Community Impact Grant, Chinatown Association SA celebrated Lunar New Year with a Street Party that brought together the local community and businesses.

The event showcased multicultural performances on multiple stages throughout Chinatown, involving more than 30 community associations from diverse cultural backgrounds including Korean, Japanese, Thai, Ukrainian, Filipino and Indonesian. The event successfully activated the precinct with market stalls, dance zones, cultural displays and family activities attracting over 30,000 visitors to Gouger Street and Moonta Street.

Over 120 volunteers contributed to event preparation, logistics and community engagement. Image: 2025 Adelaide Lunar New Year Street Party. Image courtesy of Chinatown Association SA.

Adelaide Park Lands Association - Parklands Loop Collective #8 The Parklands Loop Collective delivered another successful and free community event to encourage and support people to get active while exploring the Adelaide Park Lands. "The Best of Adelaide. Along with a bunch of other citizens, I was reminded of the best of Adelaide and, indeed, of life at the weekend in these troubled times.

We all took part in the biennial Adelaide Parklands Loop to circumnavigate the city. It is a walk, run, or cycle through nature, history, and the future. It is a walk like no other; every step brings a different glimpse of the sights, sounds, and people of the City and Parklands.

In the space of a few hours, the Parklands Loop, with its 360-degree views of the city and Parklands, transforms your experience of Adelaide in the best possible way”. Stewart Sweeney Image: Participants of the April 2025 Parklands Loop Collective #8 enjoying nature and good company while completing the 14km loop of Adelaide through its Park Lands.

Photo: Peter Sansom Adelaide Lutheran Sports Club – First Nations Artwork for Uniforms and Merchandise With the support of a City of Adelaide 2024/25 Community Impact Grant, the club commissioned Adnyamathanha, Narungga and Wangkangurru Yarluyandi artist Temaana Sanderson-Bromley to design their 2025 season uniforms and merchandise in collaboration with community to foster inclusivity and strengthening their club's identity.

“As a proud Ngarrindjeri woman, it was great to see my club actively seeking to increase its First Nations representation. My culture wasn’t something I had talked about much before in the netball space, but now I feel empowered to do so knowing that the club supports people from all different background.

” – Kerryn Pruis Image: Netballer Kerryn Pruis with artist Temaana Sanderson, proudly showing off the artwork incorporated into the Adelaide Lutheran Sports Club merchandise. If you have any questions about Community Grants, please reach out to us: Stay up-to-date with the latest opportunities, exhibitions and art news in the city by signing up to our monthly Art in the City e-newsletter. You may be interested in...

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