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2021 NAIDOC Grants 

CLOSING SOON - 5pm, Friday 23 April 2021

Overview 

NAIDOC Grant funding is provided by Aboriginal Affairs NSW to support activities and events in NSW held during NAIDOC Week (4 – 11 July 2021) that celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements.

The theme for NAIDOC Week in 2021 is Heal Country!


Events and activities must be held between 4 July 2021 and 30 November 2021.

When can I apply for funding?

Applications open Monday 15 February 2021.

Applications close 5pm Friday 23 April 2021.

Late applications will not be accepted.

How much can I apply for?

Applicants can apply for grants from $500 to $3,000.

Aboriginal Affairs NSW has allocated $260,000 for NAIDOC Grant funding in 2021. 

Who can apply?

Aboriginal Affairs NSW NAIDOC Grants, where possible, are distributed to Aboriginal run and controlled organisations.

Eligible applicants are:

  • incorporated not-for-profit organisations registered with NSW Fair Trading under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 (NSW)
  • Aboriginal Corporations registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth)
  • not-for-profit companies incorporated in Australia under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)
  • Local Aboriginal Land Councils established under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW)
  • NSW Local Council operating under the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW)
  • Incorporated Cooperatives (incorporated under state/territory legislation, and commonly have ’Cooperative' in their legal name)
  • incorporated trustees on behalf of a trust, including Catholic School trusts
  • unincorporated groups who have entered into an agreement with an eligible organisation to receive and manage the funding.

Applicants must:

  • be located in NSW and/or delivering a service to communities within NSW
  • have public liability of at least $20 million per claim.

Applicants not eligible for funding are:

  • individuals
  • Federal and State Government agencies and bodies, including public schools, hospitals and correctional centres (however, can partner with an eligible organisation)
  • NSW Public Schools (however, can partner with an eligible organisation)
  • for-profit organisations, including Aboriginal businesses
  • unincorporated organisations or groups without an eligible auspicing organisation
  • organisations that have not met project requirements, including acquittal and reporting for NAIDOC Grant funding received from Aboriginal Affairs NSW in the previous two years.

NSW Public Schools

NSW Public Schools cannot apply for NAIDOC Grants. NSW Public Schools who want to apply for a NAIDOC Grant should approach an eligible organisation to partner with, such as an incorporated P&C, incorporated local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) or Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) who can be the applicant.

Unincorporated groups

If an unincorporated group wishes to apply for a NAIDOC Grant, they will need to partner with an eligible organisation to receive and administer the funding. The eligible organisation must apply on behalf of the unincorporated group.

Guidelines

For further information including what can be funded and selection criteria, download the 2021 NAIDOC Grants Funding Guidelines.  

Apply now

Applications must be completed online at SmartyGrants.

Please take care to thoroughly read through the program Guidelines and FAQs some criteria have changed since our previous round.

Support and contacts

We have a range of resources (FAQ's and Step by Step Guide) to assist you with your application. 

If you have any questions regarding the Aboriginal Affairs NSW NAIDOC Grants, please email to team at grants@aboriginalaffairs.nsw.gov.au or contact your nearest Aboriginal Affairs NSW regional office on the phone numbers below.

Batemans Bay                 02 4478 2659

Tamworth                        02 5778 1804

Coffs Harbour                  02 5646 5101

Broken Hill                       08 8088 0003

Bourke                            08 8088 0003

Dubbo                             02 6887 4402

Newcastle                       02 4924 7007

Sydney                            02 8362 6673


To find out more about how we have supported Aboriginal communities through previous grant round fundings, check out our case studies. 


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