Grants, funding and scholarships

Our funding program gives eligible individuals, artists, community organisations, not-for-profits, businesses, students and others the opportunity to apply for funds to deliver initiatives that make a real difference to local communities and our region. These funding programs play a pivotal role in building capacity by supporting initiatives which enhance the social, cultural, environmental and economic life of our communities.

Find out more about the opportunities below or via the grants portal.

Grants

Grant	Opens	Closes
Funds open all year round (or until funds are exhausted)
Community Event Development Fund	1 July 2026	30 June 2027
Sporting Excellence Fund	1 July 2026	30 June 2027
Major Event Sponsorship Fund	1 July 2026	30 June 2027
Placemaking Fund	1 July 2026	30 June 2027
Rapid Response	1 July 2026	30 June 2027
Mayoral Funds	1 July 2026	30 June 2027
Funds with 2 rounds per year
Aboriginal Project Fund	Round 1: 1 August 2026	1 September 2026
Community Support Fund	Round 1: 1 August 2026	1 September 2026
Funds with one round per year
Environmental Project Funds	1 September 2026	30 September 2026
Mayoral Academic Scholarship	21 July 2026	27 November 2026
International Women's Day	11 January 2026	14 February 2026
Vibrant Spaces Fund	1 September 2026	30 October 2026

How to apply

Read the funding guidelines for full details about applying for a grant with Port Stephens Council.

Learn more about grants Port Stephens has to offer

Aboriginal Projects Fund

The Aboriginal Projects Fund supports community projects designed to empower and raise the profile of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Community Event Development Fund

Community events are an important factor in contributing to the Port Stephens cultural identity. They reflect our values, the sense of place and provide a platform for our community to connect and come together.

Major Event Sponsorship Fund

The Major Event Sponsorship fund will attract and support events to drive visitation and provide tourism, trade and investment opportunities for Port Stephens.

Community Support Fund

This grant welcomes applications from community groups and not-for-profit organisations seeking support for projects, activities and events that address community and environmental needs.

Vibrant Spaces Fund

Vibrant and liveable places support creative expression, social connection, and community pride. They also attract business and investment.

Environmental Projects Fund

The Environmental Project Fund provides opportunity for community and schools to deliver environmentally focussed projects that benefit our local environment.

Mayoral Academic Scholarship

Every year, the Mayoral Academic Scholarship Program offers scholarships generously sponsored by local business to students embarking on their first year of tertiary study.

International Women's Day Scholarship

The Port Stephens International Women's Day (IWD) scholarships provide women in our community the support to make their dreams a reality.

ClubGRANTS

ClubGRANTS is one of Australia’s largest grant programs, providing more than $100 million in cash each year to a variety of worthy causes across NSW.

Financial Assistance

Council offers a range of options for residents in Port Stephens who are in need of financial assistance.

Community Grants Portal

Find out what grants there are, how much they are worth and who can apply for them.

Sporting Excellence Fund

This program is designed to support athletes from the Port Stephens Local Government Area (LGA) who have been selected to represent their sport at national or international levels.

Placemaking Fund

This fund focuses on supporting businesses and community organisations to make town centres and main streets across Port Stephens Council to feel welcoming and inspiring.