About
The Defence Community Grants: Family Support Funding Program (FSFP) offers grants for not-for-profit organisations and Defence Community Groups each year.
The grant funds innovative projects that empower current serving military families to navigate the challenges and opportunities of military life. This includes, mobility and absence, fostering a sense of community, and developing resilience.
Eligible organisations can apply for a grant between $5,000 and $75,000.
FSFP application round
Applications for FY2025-25 are anticipated to open early 2025. Updates will be available on this page and via social media.
Guidelines
The guidelines provide information on:
- eligibility
- grant objectives
- selection criteria
- how to apply.
Defence Community Grants: Family Support Funding Program guidelines (PDF, 1.26 MB)
Funded projects
The table provides a list of 2024-25 funded projects supporting ADF families. Further details regarding grant awardees can be found on GrantConnect.
| Organisation | Project overview |
|---|---|
Australian Capital Territory/National |
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| Australian Military Wives Choir | A choir of female singers with a significant relationship to a serving ADF member, providing opportunity for friendship, increased confidence and raising community awareness of challenges faced by ADF families. |
| Duntroon Community Centre | Local Defence Community Group providing events, programs and activities to ADF members and their families to support community connection. |
| Gungahlin Defence Families Playgroup | Offer playgroup to ADF families, whilst welcoming non-ADF families to provide a supportive community environment for children to play and families to facilitate lasting connections through mutual experiences. |
| The Cuppacumbalong Foundation | Provide opportunities to ADF families to participate in a blacksmithing program in Puckapunyal, Wodonga, Nowra and Townsville. |
New South Wales |
|
Local Defence Community Groups providing events, programs and activities to ADF members and their families to support community connection. |
|
| Healthy Cities Illawarra | Delivering an 8-week community cooking program to ADF families to encourage formation of new friendships and support systems, foster social interaction, reduce isolation and promote healthy eating skills. |
| Hunter Region Botanic Gardens | Continuing 'Community Connect Through Healthy Spaces' offering free passes to Hunter gardens and an array of programs and workshops such as yoga, picnics, workshops, movie days, nature walks, bird watching, gallery exhibitions, art classes, educational talks, guided tours, celebration events and family days. |
| Sutherland Shire Family Services (The Family Co.) | Continuation of the ‘Defence Family Support Program’ which provides opportunities for Defence families to connect through a regular coffee and connect program, parenting programs, educational programs, play groups, therapeutic services, art therapy and youth services. |
Northern Territory |
|
| Local Defence Community Groups providing events, programs and activities to ADF members and their families to support community connection. | |
| Reeling Veterans | Deliver ‘Family Fishing Day’ to ADF members and their families which provides the opportunity to participate in a series of activities including rules and regulations, fishing safety and responsibility, conservation of fish habitats, casting techniques, retrieval of fish and fish handling. |
| The Top Ender Tri-Services Magazine | Distribution of a bi-monthly magazine that contains a wealth of information relating to local matters, national programs, activities and information about living in the Top End. |
Overseas |
|
| Australian Defence Club PNG | Offers support and planned activities to the PNG Defence community. |
Queensland |
|
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Local Defence Community Groups providing events, programs and activities to ADF members and their families to support community connection. |
| Growing Communities Australia | Offering hands-on practical woodworking and general life skills workshops to ADF families. Workshops include woodwork, epoxy resin, welding, vehicle maintenance, BBQ and cooking, home maintenance, 3D printing and laser etching and engraving. |
| North QLD Cowboys | Deliver key events and engagement with local community including Defence Big Day out, Resilience project within schools and resilience presentations to Defence workplace units. |
| TRACTION for Young People | Offering TRACTION bike-build program for youth of Defence Families in South East QLD. |
South Australia |
|
| Adelaide 36ers | Deliver Xventure, a virtual learning program focusing on emotional agility, resilience and leadership to local Defence mentor high schools; Junior Positive Mindset program focusing on wellbeing and resilience to local Defence mentor primary schools; School holiday clinics and Defence community game day events. |
| Local Defence Community Groups providing events, programs and activities to ADF members and their families to support community connection. | |
| Power Community Limited | Deliver the ‘Power to Thrive’ program to students from Defence families at Defence Mentor Schools located in South Australia. The program offers a wide range of tools and resources that address the mental, emotional and practical needs of military families. These tools are intended to help students thrive in any situation by covering themes such as gratitude, confidence, community connection, self-esteem, goal setting and character strengths with all themes linking strongly to the Port Adelaide Football Club’s player development program. |
| YMCA SA Youth and Family Services | Deliver the ‘YMCA Defence Communities’ project to ADF families. The project consists of Explorers program, Family camps, family fun day, Youth parliament and Junior Parliament. |
Victoria |
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Local Defence Community Groups providing events, programs and activities to ADF members and their families to support community connection. |
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| Gnarly Neighbours | Provide ADF families of Seymour and surrounds (Puckapunyal) with free skateboarding and creative workshops. |
Western Australia |
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| Army Art | Deliver the ‘Art Skills Development Program’ where participants will be supported by a professional artist and taught sustainable creative skills and techniques. |
Local Defence Community Groups providing events, programs and activities to ADF members and their families to support community connection. |
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