A number of grants for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander projects and initiatives open this month.
The Aboriginal Benefits Foundation provides grants to assist Aboriginal communities and individuals by providing funds to support projects which advance the aims of the Foundation. The current focus is on supporting art, literacy, education, health and cultural projects with a connection to Aboriginal art or artists.
The funding available is usually between $500 and $5,000.
Advance Queensland has a One Business Program that supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by creating pathways to participate in Queensland's innovation economy.
The One Business Program provides workshops, one-on-one coaching, support and advice with the aim of helping to bring ideas to success.
CAGES Foundation has grants available for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander children, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet is offering community grants, while the Department of Treasury has a program on offer later this year to allow families with deceased loved ones who were insured under a Youpla Group funeral expenses policy to mourn and conduct Sorry Business with the dignity that had been intended.
The program is consistent with the Australian government's ongoing commitment to improve outcomes for First Nations people.
There's also the Indigenous Native Food Program, which is offering an undisclosed amount to explore commercial opportunities for scalable Indigenous native food businesses.
Building grants, Indigenous travel grants and cash for film-makers who can demonstrate a strong commitment to a career in the film industry is also available throughout 2023.
Meanwhile, a government grant is available for small and medium businesses to replace or upgrade existing equipment to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs.
The grants, which range from $10,000 to $25,000, are available to cover the entire project costs, with $16 million made available under the grant.
These upgrades enable industries to reduce their energy use and manage energy cost volatility in the long term. This will contribute to Australia's target of a 43 per cent reduction on 2005 emission levels by 2030.
There is expected to be a high level of interest in this grant funding, which will be distributed between states and territories. Grants will be awarded to eligible recipients on a first come, first served basis under the funding is exhausted in each jurisdiction.
More information on all of the above grants including application details is available here.