Telstra’s Connected Communities Grant Program will boost support for communities across remote, rural and regional Australia to improve resilience, environmental sustainability and liveability through the power of connection. 

The program offers grants up to $10,000 for not-for-profit community organisations that are providing access to information, technology, education and facilities to support their communities to embrace new technologies and ways of working to build social capital and digital capability.

The program seeks to foster: 

• Resilient communities that are well prepared and socially connected when disaster strikes with the ability to renew and recover together;

• Sustainable communities that are diverse and inclusive, planning for the health, wellbeing, and prosperity of their people and the planet; an

• Liveable communities that have digital capability, and help to equip individuals with the skills to live, learn and work in a digital society.

Funding is available for priority areas

$200,000 funding is available for grants up to the value of $10,000.

While all requests will be considered, priorities for funding are outlined below:

• Projects initiated and delivered by local community groups and not-for profits;
• Organisations that do not have DGR-1 status.

This program supports community organisations wishing to improve their digital capability, for example:

• Take your meetings, documents and communication online;
• Attract new and younger members, and support your older members with training and access to technology to support their participation;
• Streamline your volunteer management by digitising records, automating volunteer management functions, creating online rostering etc;
• Purchase new hardware and software, as well as offer training;
• Improve digital connectivity.

Review the 2023 Program Guidelines here and note the key dates for Round 1 open 1 March, close 5pm AEDT on 30 March 2023. Funding announced by late June 2023.

Administered by the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal  via the Grants Gateway.