Funding to promote connections for LGBTIQA+ people

You can apply if you live in the ACT region.

If you've previously received an ACT Government grant, you must have submitted the final report.

If you're under 18, you'll need your parent's consent.

You can apply for this grant if you're on a temporary visa, as long as it expires in 2 or more years.

If you think you need more support with your project, you can ask for help from an eligible not-for-profit organisation. We call this the 'auspicing' organisation.

The auspicing organisation will need to:

• take financial responsibility for your grant
• give you a letter confirming they'll support your project.

You'll still be responsible for running your project.

Not-for-profit organisations and community groups can apply if they're either:

• based in the ACT
• running their project in the ACT.

If you've previously received an ACT Government grant, you must have submitted the final report.

Unregistered community groups or those without an Australian Business Number (ABN) can still apply. You must have the support of an eligible not-for-profit organisation. We call this the 'auspicing' organisation.

The auspicing organisation will need to:

• take financial responsibility for your grant
• give you a letter confirming they'll support your project.

You'll still be responsible for running your project.

If applicable, organisations should also:

• have current public liability insurance
• be registered for GST.

If your project requires public liability insurance, you can ask for the money as part of your application.

Social enterprises or businesses can apply if they:

• are based in the ACT or running their project in the ACT
• have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• can show that their business or project benefits LGBTIQA+ communities
• can show a strong financial need for this grant

If you've previously received an ACT Government grant, you must have submitted the final report.

If applicable, applicants should also:

• have current public liability insurance
• be registered for GST.

If your project requires public liability insurance, you can ask for the money as part of your application.

Join a 1-hour online information session:

• Wednesday 26 November 2025 at 5:30 pm
• Wednesday 10 December 2025 at 12:00 pm

Register now

You can preview the questions in the online form.

In your application you'll need to show:

• why your project is a priority
• how your project will achieve grant outcomes
• how your project will benefit LGBTIQA+ people in Canberra including those from diverse backgrounds
• your capability to manage the project
• your financial need for the grant (for-profit organisations only).

You'll also need to prepare a budget:

1. Income includes any money which will be used to fund the project.
2. Expenditure is everything you'll spend to deliver the project.
3. The income and expenditure must match.

Read our tips for writing an application [Word 56 kB].

If your project is supported by an auspicing organisation, you'll need to agree with them on the support they can provide. You'll need to confirm this before you apply.

The auspicing organisation will:

• co-sign the Deed of Grant
• manage and distribute the funds
• pay invoices and buy project resources
• give you a detailed financial report at the end.

They may also help you with project management.

You're responsible for submitting the final report once the project finishes.

You'll need:

• proof of residency in the ACT or surrounding region
• certificate of currency for public liability insurance (if applicable)
• signed letter from an auspicing organisation and their certificate of incorporation (if applicable).

Optional:

• One letter of support from an individual or organisation who understands the activity in your application.
• Promotional materials or media articles about a similar activity (for example, a poster).

Not-for-profit organisations and community groups will need:

• certificate of incorporation (for registered organisations)
• signed letter from an auspicing organisation and their certificate of incorporation (for unregistered organisations and community groups)
• certificate of currency for public liability insurance (if applicable).

Optional:

• One letter of support from an individual or organisation who understands the activity in your application.
• Promotional materials or media articles about a similar activity (for example, a poster).

For-profit organisations will need:

• certificate of currency for public liability insurance (if applicable).

Optional:

• One letter of support from an individual or organisation who understands the activity in your application.
• Promotional materials or media articles about a similar activity (for example, a poster).

To be successful your project must:

• meet the eligibility criteria, aims and objectives of the grant
• show a need for your targeted community or for your proposed activities
• benefit LGBTIQA+ people.

We encourage applications led by:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
• multicultural communities including migrants and refugees
• disability communities
• trans communities
• intersex communities
• different age groups
• other sexually and gender diverse communities not captured by the LGBTIQA+ acronym.

You (and your auspicing organisation, if applicable) will need to:

• sign a Deed of Grant
• send us an invoice to receive the grant.

Your invoice will include:

• your approved grant amount
• additional 10% GST, if applicable
• additional 7% auspicing fee, if applicable. This fee will be kept by your auspicing organisation to cover their expenses.

You do not need to budget these additional costs in your application.

If you're an individual applicant, we'll ask you to send us your bank details.

You must:

• comply with all conditions of the Deed of Grant
• seek written approval from us to change the project or budget
• show that the principles of access and equality guide your organisation and its programs
• submit a final report when you complete your project, including all receipts
• return any unspent funds to us.

We'll provide you with project support including:

• networking opportunities
• promotion of your project, if applicable.

You must acknowledge the grant in:

• documents, brochures, books, articles or newsletters
• other artistic or literary works
• advertising, public events, media releases or media coverage.

We encourage you to invite the Office of LGBTIQA+ Affairs to public events related to your project.

You must provide anything using the ACT Government logo to us for approval before publishing.

• Queer Trails and Tales: Walking Together on Ngunnawal Country - monthly walks to explore nature, history, and conservation through affirming LGBTIQA+ perspectives delivered by Canberra Environment Centre.
• Chromatic Circle: a monthly social gathering focussed on participation in a wide range of arts activities – art, music and film delivered by Tuggeranong Community Arts Association.
• Rainbow Racquets Community Connection and Wellbeing Pathways: a 12 month inclusive squash program delivered by Rainbow Racquets Squash Canberra.
• Transgress Library: a Community Library for Queer Books.
• The Iris Ball: a safe, inclusive and celebratory space for LGBTIQA+ people to participate in performance, fashion, movement and expression delivered by The Illustrious House of Iris.
• Arts and Literary Events in SpringOUT 2025: a program of free events in the SpringOUT calendar focussed on accessibility for neurodivergent people.
• Canberra Queer Film Festival: the first free queer film festival hosted in the ACT delivered by Diversity ACT.
• Rainbow Mob: resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people who are Sistergirls, Brotherboys and LGBTIQA+.

• Canberra Burlesque Academy: Classes, studio time, tailored mentorship, resources, and performance opportunities for LGBTIQA+ artists.
• Nonbinary Chameleon: Production of a 10-minute digital product capturing the autobiographical story of Megan Munro, a queer and disabled person in Canberra.
• Cult Classics with Venus Mantrap: Monthly events showcasing cult classic cinema, including pre-show performances by LGBTIQA+ artists.
• Reclaim Your Power – Ballroom Dancing Workshop: Ballroom and makeup lessons for LGBTIQA+ young people at Belconnen Youth Centre for a Wear it Purple Day event.
• Pride in Every Round – ANUWFNC: Promotion of queer-inclusive soccer by uplifting pride kits and investing in mentorship opportunities.
• Queer Breathwork Canberra: Program of breathwork, meditation, group therapy, embodiment, and social engagement for LGBTIQA+ people.
• Queer Variety Show: Performing arts showcase for people from the LGBTIQA+ and disabled community.
• Queer Run CBR: Community fitness and safe spaces for connection, self-expression, and growth.
• FLESH - Queer Life Drawing: A series of queer life drawing sessions to bring together LGBTIQA+ communities in celebration of the diversity of our flesh.
• Rainbow Family Zine Series: Creation of resources with LGBTIQA+ parents to help service providers deliver inclusive and needed services.

• A Gender Agenda, Intergenerational Connections – $15,000: Connects the TGDI community across the lifespan. It provides intergenerational experiences and events.
• Clubscore, The Halftime Show – $14,996: Development of a new event with experimental performance art, games, and dancing.
• Joanne Falvey, The Mystery and Thrillers Queer* Storytelling online course – $3,025: Helps LGBTQIA+ people write a mystery or thriller piece in a safe and inclusive space.
• Joshua Wrest, Queer Mind Meditations – $5,000: Meditation, group therapy, breathwork, embodiment and nature connection for Canberra’s LGBTIQA+ community.
• Out for Australia – $10,000: Lived experience storytelling sessions held at universities and TAFE in the ACT in partnership with LGBTIQA+ groups.
• Queer Food, Employment Training Program – $12,242: A pilot program aiming to hire trans people and provide ongoing on-the-job training in the hospitality sector.
• Seahorse Playgroup – $13,751: A peer-led social gathering for LGBTIQA+ parents, carers and their children aged 0-3.

• Canberra Frontrunners, Building Healthy Connections – $1,200: SpringOUT event promoting inclusive participation in running and walking for all ages and abilities.
• Caitlin Winter, Queer Performing Arts Aesthetics Workshops – $5,000: Workshops for people interested in learning about queer performing arts.
• Canberra Qwire, Youth Participation Project – $5,000: Expanding Qwire's membership, focusing on youth and people with disabilities.
• Joanne Falvey, Pen to Paper Queer Writers Workshop – $4,800: Workshop for queer writers to learn and improve short-form writing skills.
• Mali Jorm, Rainbow Crafternoon: Family-Friendly Queer Art Activities – $4,999: Four inclusive art events in the park for the queer community.
• Megan Munro, Out of the Shadows – $5,000: Art exhibition exploring queer identity through textile, digital, and video works with a focus on disability and access.
• Queer Screen Limited, Mardi Gras Film Festival on Tour 2023 – $5,000: Bringing the Mardi Gras Film Festival to Canberra, showcasing films for LGBTIQA+ audiences, including films in languages other than English.
• Rachel Reid, Music and Mayhem: REBELLION – $4,790: Funds a live music and performance event elevating non-binary and queer voices.
• Rainbow Squash, Increase Participation and Visibility of Rainbow Racquets Squash Canberra – $3,000: LGBTIQA+ participation in squash, including at World Pride 2023.
• Shawn Cady, Daddy's Can Be Divas Too! – $5,000: Queer First Nations drag performance exploring the experiences of a queer parent raising a child with a disability.
• Shellie Carr, She Rocks Women's Dance Party – $5,000: Inclusive dance party celebrating women, non-binary and gender diverse people with local performers and artists.
• She Shapes History, She Shapes History Podcast – $6,809: Six podcast episodes exploring Canberra’s queer history through interviews and storytelling.
• Water Polo ACT, Water Polo ACT Inclusion Program – $1,175: Pride Cup round at Canberra International Sports & Aquatics Centre.
• Ziggy Davey, TGDI Art Project – $5,000: Art workshops and an exhibition for the Trans, Gender Diverse, and Intersex community in Canberra.