Local giving with powerful results
Each year, we award grants to local organisations tackling housing, food insecurity, family resilience and youth wellbeing across Cardinia.
Organisations that can receive funding:
Every dollar donated and every grant awarded works toward the same goal: real change for Cardinia.
Family resilience and youth wellbeing projects
Mental health workshops and support groups
Crisis accommodation and emergency support
Men’s health, fitness and social connection programs
Food relief and storage for local charities
Programs delivered outside Cardinia Shire
State or national fundraising campaigns
Personal or individual financial assistance
Find a grant that fits your organisation, check the opening date and download the guidelines.
If you want to chat to us about a project outside the grant round, please get in touch.
Open: Ongoing
We are looking to fund projects in Cardinia Shire for Men’s Health. Eligible projects could include men’s shed activities, mental health support groups and educational presentations, health screening services, support networks for men diagnosed with or recovering from cancer and other illnesses, as well as programs focused on fitness improvement and building social connections.
If you would like to view an example of the form click here to download.
Contact Kara by email admin@cardiniafoundation.org or phone 03 5945 0766 for further information.
Open: Now
Christmas is meant to be a time of joy, connection and celebration, but for many people, the rising cost of living can make this time of year especially difficult.
That’s why the Cardinia Community Foundation is opening a special Christmas Community Grants round, providing grants of up to $2,500 per application to help local not-for-profit organisations provide practical support, relief and connection to people experiencing hardship or disadvantage this Christmas.
What could funding support?
Christmas hampers or food packages Grocery or essential-item vouchers Christmas lunches or meals for people in need Christmas activities that create connection and inclusion Christmas gifts or support packages for children and families experiencing hardship Christmas support for people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity Wellbeing and connection activities for people who may otherwise experience isolation
The important part? The benefit must be for people in the Cardinia community, and the activity must be delivered within the Cardinia community.
We want to help local organisations make a genuine difference where it is needed most — helping bring a little more dignity, connection and Christmas spirit to people doing it tough.
Applications open: 18 September 2026
Applications close: 3pm, 23 October 2026
Grants of up to $2,500 available
Not sure where to start? Answer a few quick questions and find out instantly if your organisation could qualify for one of our community grants.
