Funding to provide peer support for LGBTIQA+ people with disability
Find out how to apply for the Delivering Peer Support for LGBTIQA+ People with Disability grant. This grant helps set up a peer support program where LGBTIQA+ people with disability can connect and improve their wellbeing.
Delivering peer support for LGBTIQA+ people with disability
This grant will help set up a peer support program where LGBTIQA+ people with disability can connect and improve their wellbeing.
The grant is part of the Supporting and Strengthening LGBTIQA+ Communities Program.
The grant aims to achieve:
- increased sense of belonging and social connection for LGBTIQA+ people with disability
- improved representation and self-advocacy for LGBTIQA+ people with disability
- improved wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ people with disability.
The grant may support up to 3 organisations, if they are led by or focusing on different groups within the LGBTIQA+ disability community, for example, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTIQA+ people with disability.
Who this is for
The grant is for specific types of not-for-profit organisations including:
- LGBTIQA+ peer-led organisations
- Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs).
What you get
The total funding is $451,000 for up to 3 organisations. This is around $150,000 per year over 3 years.
Check if you can apply
Not-for-profit organisations can apply if they're both:
- a registered not-for-profit or charity
- based in the ACT or will deliver peer supports for LGBTIQA+ people with disability in the ACT.
They must also fit into one of these categories:
- LGBTIQA+ Disabled People’s Organisation (DPO).
- A DPO with experience working with LGBTIQA+ individuals.
- An LGBTIQA+ peer-led organisation with experience working with people with disability.
- A partnership of the above organisations.
Organisations should also:
- have current public liability insurance (or budget it in the application)
- be registered for GST (if applicable).
If you've previously received an ACT Government grant, you must have submitted the final report.
Support of an auspicing organisation
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.
What you can do
Your project must either:
- increase social connections and a sense of belonging for LGBTIQA+ people with disability
- improve representation and self-advocacy skills
- enhance overall wellbeing for LGBTIQA+ people with disability.
Examples of activities include:
- peer support initiatives and community building events
- capacity building and leadership development
- awareness raising campaigns
- resource development
- networking and collaborations
- research.
The projects will start from July 2025 and must be completed by June 2028.
You cannot use the grant to fund:
- direct client services such as healthcare services, counselling or disability-related services
- projects or organisations not led by LGBTIQA+ people with disability
- projects that do not support the intersectionality of LGBTIQA+ and disabled identities.
More funding exclusions apply.
Before you apply
Attend an information session
Join a 1-hour online information session:
- Wednesday 9 April at 1:00 pm
- Tuesday 29 April at 5:00 pm.
Read tips for writing an application
You can preview the questions in the online form.
In your application you'll need to show:
- how your project aligns with the objectives and outcomes of this grant
- your organisation's capability to manage the project.
You'll also need to show how you'll engage LGBTIQA+ people with disability living in the ACT, including the following population groups:
- LGBTIQA+ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with a disability.
- LGBTIQA+ people with disability who are experiencing or have experienced family, domestic and/or sexual violence.
- LGBTIQA+ people with disability from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds including migrants and refugees.
- Older LGBTIQA+ people with disability.
- Young LGBTIQA+ people with disability.
You’ll need to prepare an indicative work plan for 3 years, but we'll work with you to agree on the final work plan if your project is successful. The work plans will be reviewed annually.
You'll also need to prepare an indicative budget for 3 years:
- Income includes any money which will be used to fund the project.
- Expenditure is everything you'll spend to deliver the project.
- The income and expenditure must match.
Confirm support from auspicing organisation
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 making the final report once the project finishes.
Check what you'll need to apply
You'll need:
- certificate of incorporation (for registered organisations, if applicable)
- 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 available)
- indicative workplan
- signed letter by all project partners (for those applying in a partnership).
After you apply
We'll assess your application and let you know the result within 30 business days.
Assessing your application
To be successful your project must:
- meet the eligibility criteria, aims and objectives of the grant
- show how you'll support LGBTIQA+ people with disability including those with intersecting experiences.
If you get the grant
You (and your auspicing organisation, if applicable) will need to:
- sign a 3-year Deed of Grant
- send us an invoice to receive the grant.
Your invoice will include:
- your approved grant amount
- additional 10% GST, if applicable.
You do not need to budget these additional costs in your application.
Funding will be provided in stages based on progress reports.
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 progress reports every 6 months
- participate in regular meetings with the ACT Government to discuss the project's progress
- 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
- 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.