Apply for a grant

Groundswell gives grants to strategic, high-impact climate advocacy. We support organisations working to shift systems, influence policy, and build momentum for a safer, more just world.

Grant round now in progress

Expressions of interest for this grant round have now closed. A big thanks to all who registered their work with us!

We are currently reviewing submissions and will invite selected organisations to submit a full application.

Key dates for this grant round:

• EOI registrations close: 2 March

• Notification of EOI outcome: by 5 March

• Full applications due for selected organisations: 27 March

• Shortlisting and voting: April/May

• Grants distributed: May/June

We expect to award $40,000 grants to successful applicants. The total number of grants will depend on funds raised by the Groundswell community.

Our Grantmaking Process

Step 1

Register your interest

Let us know you’d like to apply by completing a short form. Please read the grant criteria below before registering.

Step 2

Full application (if invited)

If your registration is successful, we’ll invite you to submit a full application. You’ll receive the form by email and have 2-3 weeks to complete it.

Step 3

Shortlisting

Our rotating grantmaking committee, made up of Groundswell members, will review all applications and agree on a shortlist of up to 8 applications.

This committee changes each round and is supported by an advisory group with First Nations, energy policy and advocacy expertise.

Please note: We take conflict of interest seriously. All committee members disclose any conflicts at both the shortlisting and voting stage. Where First Nations members have connections to applicant organisations, we encourage them to share insights that can enrich the group’s decision-making process.

Step 4

Member vote

All Groundswell members are invited to vote on which shortlisted organisations receive funding. As our membership grows, so does our collective funding pool!

What We Fund

We provide project funding and core, unrestricted funding for climate advocacy that aligns with our strategic focus:

– Build the movement: Community-led organising that grows a strong, diverse climate movement.

– Change the story: Narratives and communications that inspire climate action and shift public opinion.

– Shift the money: Campaigns that move capital away from fossil fuels and into renewables.

– Change the politics: Advocacy that drives political leadership and ambitious climate policy.

This framework for action was developed collaboratively by climate leaders including Sam La Rocca (The Sunrise Project) and Climate Action Network Australia.

Is a Groundswell grant for you?

Groundswell funds not-for-profit organisations taking on the climate crisis in ways that reduce harm, build resilience and drive systemic change with a clear focus on impact this decade.

We’re particularly interested in work grounded in climate justice – shifting systems, influencing decisions, and making sure communities most affected by climate impacts aren’t left behind in the transition ahead.

While we recognise the importance of environmental protection more broadly, initiatives primarily focused on waste reduction or reforestation sit outside our funding mission and aren’t eligible. Conservation initiatives may be eligible where they are clearly aimed at changing laws, policy or decision-making at a state or national level, and are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

We recognise First Nations peoples’ protection and care of Country as a fundamental and urgent climate solution, and strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander–led organisations to apply.

We’re conscious that small and emerging organisations often have the least access to funding. This grant round is open to:

• Not-for-profit organisations with annual revenue under $1m, or

• Not-for-profit organisations with revenue between $1-5m proposing an unfunded pilot or new initiative

Eligibility

• Organisations must be based in the Australia–Pacific region

• Applicants must have DGR1 status, or be working in partnership with a DGR1 organisation

If you’re unsure about eligibility or alignment, please get in touch at stephen@groundswellgiving.org

How we assess applications

Our members and shortlisting committee consider the following:

– Strong theory of change: Why this work? Why now? Why your organisation?

– Strategic opportunity: Is there a viable opening for impact based on the current context?

– Capacity to deliver: Does your team have the skills, relationships, and approach to succeed?

– Organisational alignment: Are your values aligned with Groundswell’s vision of a healthy, just and sustainable world?

– First Nations leadership or engagement: Is your work led by, or directly supporting, First Nations people and communities?

– Budget and impact: Does your budget make sense? Will a $40k grant make a meaningful difference?

We aim to balance rigour with accessibility. We want enough information to make a good decision, without overburdening under-resourced organisations.

Our approach to political advocacy

Groundswell is political, but not partisan. We support charities campaigning on political issues to advance their purpose, as long as it complies with charity law.

We can fund:
– Advocacy for or against laws, policies or practices
– Public campaigns that build support for change
– Submissions to government or parliamentary processes
– Promotion of charitable purposes to elected officials
– Publishing and distributing issue-based research

We can’t fund:
– Activities that are unlawful or against public policy
– Support or opposition for political parties or candidates
– Electoral material or expenditure as defined under the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918

For more information, see the ACNC’s charity advocacy guidelines.

Have questions?

We’re here to help. Contact our Grants Manager here.