Thrive Community Grants
Bank of Melbourne Foundation Thrive Community Grants offer up to $50,000 to support the social and emotional wellbeing of children and young people via opportunities to connect and participate in community life. Grants support smaller, local charities engaging with children and young people facing the greatest barriers to reaching their potential.
Thrive Community Grants.
About the grant.
Each year, Thrive Community Grants offer up to $50,000 to improve the social and emotional wellbeing of children and young people.
We invest in smaller, local charities that provide children and young people with opportunities to connect and participate in community life.
We prioritise funding to support children and young people facing the greatest barriers to reaching their potential (see our Priority Groups).
Eligibility.
- Your organisation is endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR-1 status) and registered with Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC).
- Your organisation can provide recent, audited financial statements, signed by the auditor. Those with annual revenue less than $500,000 are exempt from requiring an auditor’s report.
- Your organisation has an annual gross revenue of less than $5 million.
- Your organisation receives less than 60% of its annual revenue from federal, state or local government funding, where income is above $1million per annum. This is not applicable for Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations or income derived for provision of NDIS services.
- Your proposed program is located within Victoria or Tasmainia.
- Your organisation is not currently funded with a grant from Westpac Foundation.
What we will fund.
Our priority is to support programs that bring children and/or young people (0–24 years) together to participate in activities that support social and emotional wellbeing.
- Foster individual learning and interests through education, training or skills development.
- Develop independence, engage in society and join the workforce.
- Create connections and build relationships with others.
- Feel they belong to a wider community, social or cultural group.
- Build resilience, self-awareness and confidence.
- Have the practical things they need to participate and develop as active members of the community.
- Have a positive sense of identity and culture.
- Have a say about things that matter to them.
What we won't fund.
- Charity works outside Australia.
- Programs outside of VIC/TAS.
- Sponsorship or fundraising activities.
- Residential camps, except where that is the core purpose of the applicant organisation.
- Research.
- Individuals.
- Initiatives for adults.
- Individual therapy.
- Health services.
- Medical equipment.
Key dates.
- Thrive Community Grants Zoom Information Session, Wednesday 30 April, 12.30-1.15pm AEST.
- Applications open Monday 5 May 2025.
- Applications need to be submitted by Friday 30 May 2025.
- Applicants notified of outcomes by Friday 8 AUgust 2025.
- Funding for successful applicants provided by Friday 29 August 2025.
Selection Criteria and Funding Guidelines.
For further details about our Thrive Community Grants, including selection criteria, please read our Application Guidelines. (PDF 57KB)
Additional Information.
- For grants supporting initiatives in NSW/QLD/ACT/WA see St.George Foundation.
- For grants supporting initiatives in SA/NT see BankSA Foundation.
- Auspiced applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
FAQs
Funding
There is around $1.3 million to distribute via our 2025 Thrive Community Grants. $950,000 via St George Foundation, $100,000 via Bank of Melbourne Foundation and $250,000 via BankSA Foundation.
We expect to support up to 28 organisations through this funding, with individual grant amounts ranging between $25,000 and $50,000.
Eligibility
Applications from organisations that clearly demonstrate a greater focus on children and young people (0-24 years) via their stated mission, vision, strategy and programs will be given preference.
Applications and Assessment
Yes, Application Guidelines, including selection criteria, application questions and guidance on questions, can be accessed on each of the Foundation websites.