Funding to support Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations
Applications close at 3:00 pm on 30 June 2026.
Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation (ACCO) Establishment and Expansion Fund (AEEF)
The AEEF aims to support new and existing ACT ACCOs to build organisational capacity and capability to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Canberra.
The AEEF is designed to support the growth and sustainability of new and existing ACT ACCOs, consistent with the ACT Government commitments under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap Priority Reform 2: Building the community-controlled sector and the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement 2019-2028.
Who this is for
This grant is for new and existing Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations who provide culturally appropriate human services to the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
What you get
A grant of up to $15,000 in the Start Up tier.
A grant of up to $150,000 in the Establishment tier.
A grant of up to $100,000 in the Development tier.
A grant of up to $50,000 in the Growth tier.
Check if you can apply
Organisations can apply if they are delivering human services in the ACT and meet Clause 44 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, or if they are a partnership or collaboration being led by an ACCO who delivers human services in the ACT.
Applicants must be an organisation established to provide culturally appropriate human services to the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. Applicants must operate in and have established governance structures in the ACT.
Applicants must have no overdue acquittals.
What you can do
The AEEF is designed to support the growth and sustainability of new and existing ACT ACCOs by providing a funding source focused on supporting establishment, capacity and capability building activities.
Your project must occur for the benefit of ACT ACCOs and address the assessment criteria.
Please refer to the guidelines for examples of projects and activities.
Before you apply
You should read the grant guidelines for 2025-26 before you apply.
Apply
To apply online:
- Register or log into your account.
- Follow the instructions to complete your application.
After you apply
The Grant Assessment Team will meet every 6-8 weeks to assess applications and let you know the result after their meetings.
You will be notified by email of the outcome of your application.
Assessing your application
The Grant Assessment Team will be made up of a chairperson and 2 other assessors. Grant Assessment Team members with knowledge and experience of working with the community-controlled sector, and/or the local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community will be appointed.
A member of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body will be engaged by the Grant Assessment Team as a non-voting cultural subject matter expert to further support the Grant Assessment Team with their knowledge and understanding of the local Community and community-controlled sector.
If you get the grant
Successful applicants must enter into an Agreement. This will be by a Deed of Grant with the Community Services Directorate for the grant we are providing funding for. The Deed of Grant will include:
- the grant we are offering
- how to accept an offer
- details on the funded grant amount
- the purpose or activity for which we have the grant
- the term of your funded activity for which you must expend the grant amount in full
- how to acquit your grant funds when you have completed the project.
Past recipients
Find out about recent grant recipients and projects.
2024-25 recipients
Check back soon for information.
Contact us
Aboriginal Service Development
If you need help or have questions, contact us.