Funding to celebrate multiculturalism in the ACT

Following the eligibility check, the Grant Assessment Team will assess your application. The Grant Assessment Team includes:

• a chairperson
• 2 other assessors

It may also include a member of the community. We appoint Grant Assessment Team members based on their knowledge of the priority areas.

Grant Assessment Team members will assess your application with the information you provided against the grant’s selection criteria.

If you have been successful in other recent grant rounds, the assessors may consider this during their assessment if we receive a high number of applications. This is to ensure fairness across all applicants.

Decisions are at the sole discretion of the Health and Community Services Directorate, these include:

• whether to award a grant
• the amount of a grant.

Successful applicants must enter into an Agreement. This will be by a Letter of Offer with the Health and Community Service Directorate. The Letter of Offer will include:

• the grant we are offering
• how to accept an offer
• details on the funded grant amount
• the purpose or activity for which you have the grant
• the term of your funded activity for which you must spend the grant amount in full
• how to acquit your grant funds when you have completed the project.

• ACT Chinese Australian Association Inc - $4,500 - To assist with a series of activity programs such as a talent show, food, craft, and art displays, and learning activities and an event to celebrate Chinese culture.
• ACT Chinese Opera Association Incorporated - $1,500 -   To assist with costumes and musical instruments for weekly sessions for Canberra residents to learn and practice Chinese Opera.
• ACT Chinese Women Cultural Association Incorporated - $2,000 - To assist with a photography exhibition focusing on the life of Chinese immigrants in Canberra and celebrations for Spring Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Double Ninth Festival, Moon Festival, International Women’s Day, and Australia Day.
• ACT Community Language Schools Association Inc - $3,100 - To assist with an annual Open Day to celebrate achievements and includes cultural performances and an annual dinner.
• ACT Somali Community Association Incorporated - $3,500 - To assist with an event for social programs for the Somali and mainstream community which include Australia Day celebration, Ramadan gathering, end of Ramadan Eid festival and Eid Adha Somali Day celebrations.
• ACT Table Tennis Association Incorporated - $3,000 -  Free vouchers for CALD people in the ACT to join in table tennis club coaching activities.
• ACT-Tongan Language and Cultural School - $2,000 - To assist with events to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Community Language School including cultural performances and production of a 10th year magazine.
• Alo-Enlightened Women Incorporated - $2,800 - To assist with facilitating 2 workshops on digital financial safety and wellbeing for new migrants, international students, and senior citizens.
• Art of Living Foundation Ltd - $2,500 - To assist with a program of spiritual education and mental wellness workshops.
• Artsound Incorporated - $3,300 - To assist with a symposium of 10 representatives from within Canberra’s multicultural diversity to record a series of 1 hour round table radio programs with music and cultural insights.
• Australia Colombia Friendship Association - $2,000 - To assist with a series of cultural events scheduled throughout the year, and Colombian Independence Day celebration.
• Australian Dongbei Chinese Association Incorporated - $3,100 - To assist with events and cultural showcases, and a Chinese New Year festival.
• Australian Multicultural Action Network Incorporated - $4,500 - To assist with a program of activities including storytelling, language and dance workshops, cooking classes, senior’s talent show and celebrations for Harmony Day, Vesak, Teej, Pongal and Festival of Lights.
• Australian Muslim Voice Inc - $2,000 - To assist with an inclusive festival celebration of the end of Ramadan.
• Australian Rohingya Welfare Organisation Incorporated - $4,000 - To assist with an event Rohingya community, CALD community leaders, government representatives and NGO’s to launch Australian Rohingya Welfare Organisation and EID celebrations.
• Australian Tamil Cultural Society of the ACT Incorporated - $5,500 - To assist with a talent showcase, a community sports day and a youth week celebration, and cultural celebrations for Tamil Puthandu Kondattam and Deepavali Night.
• Bangla Radio Canberra - $2,000 - To assist with promoting, participating, and broadcasting the significant ACT multicultural events
• Beseda Czechoslovak Australian Association of Canberra Inc - $2,500 - To assist with cultural celebrations for St Nicholas Celebration, The Burning of the Witches, Children’s Day, and decorating Easter egg event.
• Borobudur Dance Troup - $2,700 - To assist with cultural performances and workshops at various multicultural events, festivals and schools in ACT and surrounding region.
• Canberra Ayyappa Samajam - $1,000 - To assist with a celebration of Vishu.
• Canberra Punjabi Sports and Cultural Inc - $2,500 - To assist with a community Punjabi dinner, Canberra Khed Mela event, seminars promoting Punjabi language and literature, and a celebration for the birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
• Canberra Refugee Support Incorporated - $6,000 - To assist with a scholarship program for students with a refugee/asylum seeker background who are engaged in primary, secondary or post-secondary education to recognise and celebrate their achievements.
• Canberra Swiss Club Incorporated - $660 - To assist with the support of choir practice and performances, issuing newsletters, performance at 2024 National Multicultural Festival and celebrations for Samichlaus, Jass Tournament and family picnic days.
• Canberra Tamil Association Incorporated - $1,500 - To assist with celebration event of Tamil New Year.
• Canberra Tamil Women's Forum Association - $3,900 - To assist with financial literacy and education, and mental support programs and International Women’s Day events and Diwali celebration.
• Celebration of African Australians Inc - $6,000 - To assist with a cultural event of live Afrobeat music and awards ceremony, and International Day of the African Child.
• Collective on Anti-Racism - $2,000 - To assist with a 10-month program of monthly anti-racist discussion groups in a book club format for anti-racist education and learning centred around the attendees’ lived experiences and social community events.
• Das Zentrum Australian-German Institute Incorporated - $5,000 - To assist with Austrian National Day celebration, a range of multicultural activities including open days, film evenings and magazine publication.
• FCCCI Chinese School -$1,500 - To assist language students to participate in cultural events such as the National Multicultural Festival, Australia Day, Dragon Boat Festival and Moon Festival.
• Federation of Chinese Community of Canberra Inc -$3,500 - To assist with Chinese New Year, Dragon Boat Festival, Moon Festival, and Chinese Culture Day.
• Federation of Indian associations of ACT (FINACT) Incorporated -$3,500 - To assist with AusIndia Fair, cricket tournament, educational events for awareness for domestic and family violence and a community Harmony Day celebration.
• GOPIO Canberra Incorporated -$2,500 - To assist with 3 community celebrations, Holi festival of colours, Sawan Teej festival of women empowerment and Diwali festival of lights.
• HelpingACT -$5,000 - To assist with a forum of local organisations to discuss critical issues relating to food security and food packs for Eid, Diwali, Easter, and Christmas.
• Indian Senior Citizens Association of the ACT (Inc.) -$2,000 - To assist with a celebration of the Indian festival Holi.
• Interfaith Forum ACT -$3,000 - To assist with a Harmony Week event, outdoor cultural and spiritual event in the Environment Healing and Meditation Garden, an International Peace Day symposium, and a youth event.
• Multicultural Association of Canberra Incorporated -$1,000 - To assist with a Diwali festival in November 2024.
• Navya Andhra Telugu Association Incorporated -$4,500 - To assist with a range of activities and events for all ages including sport, carom and chess championships, traditional art, STEM lab, talent show and spelling bee and celebration of Sankranthi Andhra culture, Indian New Year Yug-Adi, and Sri Ramanavami.
• Ngunnawal Primary School Parents & Citizens Association Inc -$1,500 - To assist with an inclusive community event that includes activities and games for all ages, music, cultural performances, and stalls by local businesses.
• Pacific Island Showcase Association Incorporated -$2,000 - To assist with a series of culturally tailored events for Pasifika diaspora, inclusive to local community, to promote public health, higher education and health and wellbeing.
• Pakistan Australia Friendship Association Inc -$2,000 - To assist with an event showcasing Pakistani culture, music, dance cuisine and literature, and celebrations for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
• Philippine Australian Association of the ACT and the Monaro Region Incorporated -$4,000 - To assist with a series of forums and workshops on topics of interest, and Philippine Heritage Day celebration and a winter Christmas celebration.
• SiTara's Story Incorporated -$4,000 - To assist with a program of events to develop cultural awareness in the community.
• Sri Lanka Dhamma Vihara Association of Canberra Incorporated - $4,000 - To assist with a celebration of Sri Lankan New Year, commemoration of Vesak, and Sri Lankan Summer and Spring Fairs.
• Taiwanese Association of Canberra Australia - $3,000 - To assist with a cinematic celebration of 4 films, Mandarin classes and a Taiwanese festival to celebrate Lunar New Year, Dragon Festival, Moon Festival.
• The African Gospel Band - $9,000 - To assist with a program of workshops and mentorships for young African migrants in a variety of performing arts and a concert to celebrate Sierra Leone Independence Day.
• The Canberra Islamic School - $6,000 - To assist with information sessions about Islam and Eid, a family camp, and a Ramadan Iftar celebration event.
• The Korean Association of Canberra Incorporated - $4,500 - To assist with hosting a  Korea Day Festival and cultural activities and performances at the festival.
• Women Inspiration Network of Canberra Incorporated - $3,910 - To assist with a range of skill development workshops and a networking event for women and International Women’s Day celebration.
• ZamZam Foundation Incorporated - $6,000 - To assist with driving lessons for 5 Afghan women, swimming lessons for 8 Afghan women and maternal health information sessions.

• ACT Basketball Inc – $3,000 – To assist with hosting the SSANBA Basketball Tournament in Canberra.
• ACT Chinese Australian Association Inc – $1,500 – To assist with three community events: Mid-Autumn Festival, Double Nine, and Little New Year.
• ACT Chinese Opera Association Incorporated – $500 – To assist with a Harmony Day celebration featuring Chinese Opera.
• ACT Chinese Women Cultural Association Incorporated – $1,500 – To assist with a series of Chinese festivals including Lantern Festival, Qingming Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Qixi Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, Double Ninth Festival, and Winter Solstice Festival.
• ACT Somali Community Association Incorporated – $1,000 – To assist with two celebration events: Eid Fitr and Eid Adha.
• ACT Tibetan Community Inc – $1,000 – To assist with three cultural celebrations: Tibetan New Year, The Dalai Lama’s birthday, and International Human Rights Day.
• African Australian Council ACT Inc – $1,700 – To assist with an African Day celebration.
• Alo-Enlightened Women Incorporated – $4,500 – To assist with a training program to raise awareness of technology-facilitated abuse against women and children in CALD communities.
• Art of Living Foundation Ltd – $4,500 – To assist with a program of wellness and spiritual events such as yoga and meditation sessions, public talks, and full moon Satsangs.
• Australia Nepal Friendship Society – $2,600 – To assist with three events: Nepali New Year, Teej Night, and Dashain Night to promote cultural diversity, social inclusion, and community wellbeing.
• Australian Multicultural Action Network Incorporated – $5,000 – To assist with celebrations of Harmony Day, Vesak, Teej, Pongal, and Festival of Lights and a series of activities including storytelling, language exchange, talent events, music and dance workshops, and cooking classes to strengthen cultural bonds and break down cultural barriers.
• Australian Tamil Cultural Society of the ACT Incorporated – $4,350 – To assist with 3 celebration events: Tamil New Year in April, Deepavali in October/November, and Christmas, and an annual sports day including traditional Tamil sports Kabaddi and Kho-Kho inclusive of all ages.
• Bangladesh Australia Association Canberra Inc – $1,000 – To assist with Boishaki Mela (Bengali New Year celebration) and a musical cultural night.
• Bangladesh Australia Puja Association (Canberra) Incorporated – $1,800 – To assist with a two-day free public event to celebrate Durga Puja Festival in October 2025.
• Belconnen Arts Centre Incorporated – $5,051.20 – To assist with translation of program information and terms and conditions for two key projects engaging Canberra’s migrant communities: Migrant Women’s Art Group and Over Seas Exhibition.
• Beseda Czechoslovak Australian Association of Canberra Inc – $4,100 – To assist with celebrations of cultural events: The Burning of the Witches, Children’s Day, St Nicholas Celebration, and Easter and a cultural program of activities to preserve and revitalise language, cultural heritage, and traditions of the Czech Republic and Slovakia in Australia.
• Cameroon Association of the Australian Capital Territory – $2,156 – To assist with a full-day cultural event featuring a cultural showcase, family-friendly games, performances, and educational sessions, uniting diverse community groups and interstate visitors.
• Canberra Girmit Association of Fiji Incorporated – $1,930 – To assist with Girmit Day and Diwali celebrations.
• Canberra Hike (CANHIKE) Incorporated – $2,000 – To assist with the launch of a website, branded caps and vests, collaboration with the Aussie Peace Walk festival, and an end-of-year social event as part of a hiking initiative.
• Canberra Malayalees Association Inc – $1,000 – To assist with a series of sporting activities aimed at inclusion of women and children.
• Canberra Multicultural Community Forum Inc (CMCF) Incorporated – $2,500 – To assist with workshops, cultural exchange events, and storytelling sessions to raise awareness and empower individuals to respond to discrimination.
• Canberra Pinoy Advocacy Group Incorporated – $3,120 – To assist Filipino-Australian women in Canberra and Queanbeyan to gain their driver’s license, learn car maintenance, and connect with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture through Intercultural Day.
• Canberra Swiss Club Incorporated - $1,100.80 - To assist with Samichlaus and participation German week.
• Celebration of African Australians Inc – $7,000 – To assist with celebrating African Children’s Day and commemorating the role of children in shaping the future and advocating for their rights and a driver education and driving lessons program for marginalised members of the African community.
• Das Zentrum Australian-Germanins Institute Incorporated – $7,150 – To assist with celebrations of the national days of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland in three separate events and establishing small German libraries across Canberra to increase accessibility to the existing free service.
• Federation of Chinese Community of Canberra Inc – $1,100 – To assist with Dragon Boat Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations.
• Federation of Indian Associations of ACT (FINACT) Incorporated – $3,000 – To assist with a Community Harmony Day celebration and events and activities including AusIndia Fair, T20 Cricket Family Day, and Chetna to promote strong parent-child relationships for CALD families.
• Gilmore Church Incorporated – $1,400 – To assist with a multicultural community celebration festival in the park.
• GOPIO Canberra Incorporated – $1,000 – To assist with three festivals: Holi, Sawan Teej, and Diwali in collaboration with other community organisations.
• HelpingACT – $1,500 – To assist with celebrations of Iftar and Eid.
• Indian Senior Citizens Association of the ACT (Inc) – $2,500 – To assist with a Diwali celebration event.
• Initiatives For Women In Need (IWIN) – $3,500 – To assist with Orange Day 2025, integrating with iWiN’s Annual Orange Day Symposium and a vibrant multicultural celebration and activities fostering meaningful connections and social inclusion through women’s circles, mentorship, and advocacy training for First Nations and CALD communities.
• Integrated Cultures ACT Inc – $650 – To assist with two events: one celebrating cultural and interfaith diversity and another inclusive event for international students and ANU community members.
• MARSS Australia Inc – $2,500 – To assist with an inclusive multicultural Eid celebration to promote community connection.
• Muslim Sisters to ACTion (MustACT) – $3,500 – To assist with creative and physical activities for Muslim youth in Canberra aged 12–24 to improve participation outcomes.
• Nourish Nation Foundation Incorporated – $4,900 – To assist with two cultural events focusing on traditional dishes, storytelling, and showcasing art, music, and panel discussions and interactive workshops, cultural exchange events, and health education sessions to foster cultural understanding and promote wellbeing in Canberra’s diverse communities.
• Philippine Australian Association of the ACT and the Monaro Region Incorporated – $2,570 – To assist with a Philippine Heritage Day event and 3 seminars promoting scientific information and critical thinking and an open community picnic to celebrate spring with the Philippine-Australian community.
• Queanbeyan Multilingual Centre Inc – $6,000 – To assist with a learn-to-swim program for African youth in Canberra.
• Slovenian Australian Association of Canberra Inc – $2,094 – To assist with Slovenian language classes to preserve and bolster Slovenian culture.
• Sri Lanka Dhamma Vihara Association of Canberra Incorporated – $1,500 – To assist with Sri Lankan New Year celebrations and Vesak 2025 commemoration.
• St Vincent de Paul Society (Canberra/Goulburn) Limited – $2,500 – To assist with a Nowruz (Persian New Year) celebration hosted by Vinnies Migrant and Refugee Program and the Afghan Peace Foundation.
• Taiwanese Association of Canberra Australia – $3,500 – To assist with Lunar New Year, Dragon Boat Festival, Moon Festival, softball event, and Double 10 Day celebrations and 5 workshops supporting young Taiwanese migrants in employment networking and five softball games.
• The Canberra Islamic School – $5,400 – To assist with a multicultural event featuring mosque tours led by children and a showcase of their artwork reflecting cultural heritage and Islamic values and a community event celebrating the cultural and religious significance of Eid.
• The Federation of the Chinese Associations of the Australian Capital Territory (FCA-ACT) Incorporated – $1,200 – To assist with a UN Chinese Language Day event.
• Volunteering and Contact ACT Limited – $3,170 – To assist with translating the “How to Volunteer” flyer into 10 languages to improve accessibility and promote volunteering among CALD communities.
• YWCA Canberra – $3,200 – To assist with 10 sessions for multicultural young people aged 10–18 to increase knowledge of local community, services, and Australian history.
• ZamZam Foundation Incorporated – $7,500 – To assist with an event to mourn, reflect, and celebrate the resilience of the Afghan community marking the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban in 2021 and 10 driving lessons each for six Afghan women.