Meet the organisations supported by our 2026 community customer grants program

In 2026, 14 organisations across Australia will share in $300,000 in grants to expand their work across areas including climate action, nature and biodiversity, First Nations recognition, and community inclusion.

This year also marks 10 years of awarding community customer grants. Since 2016, we’re proud to have provided $2.5 million on behalf of our customers to community groups, not-for-profits and social enterprises.

This is also the first year welcoming Qudos Bank community customers to apply for grants and participate in the customer selection committee.

Bank Australia Chair Jen Dalitz says:  

“I’m proud to see our Community Customer Grants program supporting organisations that are making a meaningful difference in communities across Australia.  

“Serving on the judging committee reinforced the passion, innovation and commitment of the people behind these organisations, and the important role our bank can play in helping their impact grow.”

2026 grant recipients

Open Table (VIC)

Open Table’s Open Pantry project turns rescued food into nourishing meals, pantry staples and opportunities for social connection in Melbourne’s inner north.

Through weekly community lunches, a daily pantry in North Fitzroy and monthly fresh food markets in Fitzroy and Collingwood, the program provides free, welcoming and dignified access to food.

Through the grant, Open Table will collect and redistribute surplus food, support volunteers and strengthen a program that reduces food waste, eases financial stress and builds community connection.

Green Music Australia (VIC)

Green Music Australia’s Cleaner Campsites project focuses on reducing the waste left behind at music festival campsites.

Through festival partnerships, pre-event communications, onsite engagement and the Camping Buddy digital tool, the program will support festival-goers to plan ahead, reduce single-use items and make lower-waste choices.

The grant will also support the expansion of tent and gear hire systems, supporting a more circular approach to festival camping and reducing the amount of equipment that ends up in landfill.

ECOllaboration Ltd (QLD)

ECOllaboration’s River Patrol brings volunteers together each week to remove litter and marine debris from the Maroochy River catchment on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

The program has already removed more than 40 tonnes of litter, supporting efforts to protect local wildlife and contributing to improved water quality and reducing the impact of rubbish on river habitats.

The grant will support ECOllaboration to expand its data collection, recruit more volunteers and share insights with local groups and authorities working to improve the health of the Maroochy catchment.

Wildlife Unlimited (VIC)

Wildlife Unlimited will support the recovery of the spot-tailed quoll in East Gippsland, where the species plays an important role in local ecosystems and holds cultural significance for Traditional Owners.

The project will use solar-powered, cellular-enabled cameras in three remote locations to monitor quoll activity year-round and build a clearer picture of the species’ distribution, abundance and genetic health.

The grant will support the funding of solar panels, ongoing monitoring and data sharing with government agencies, land managers and Traditional Owners, supporting future recovery actions such as pest management and habitat protection.

Great Southern Reef Foundation (SA)

The Great Southern Reef will deliver the Sea Country Stories project will share Traditional Owner knowledge, stories and connections to Sea Country through film and community engagement in South Australia.

Created in partnership with Traditional Owners, the project will explore the cultural significance of the Great Southern Reef and how changing marine environments, including harmful algal blooms, affect Country, community and culturally important species.

The work will support on-Country filming, interviews, cultural storytelling and community engagement, aiming to increase understanding of First Nations knowledge in caring for Australia’s temperate marine environments.

Djakamirr Co-op Ltd (NT)

Djakamirr Co-op Ltd is a First Nations-led organisation supporting Yolŋu women to restore cultural authority in maternal care through the Djäkamirr initiative.

The grant will support Yolŋu leaders from Galiwin’ku to attend the Darwin launch and Melbourne premiere of MAYPILAMA, a feature documentary sharing the story of their work.

By supporting the women behind the story take part in these events, the project will create opportunities for audiences to hear directly from Yolŋu leaders and learn more about the role of First Nations knowledge in culturally safe maternity care.

Lifeline Loddon Mallee Limited (VIC)

Lifeline Loddon Mallee will deliver early intervention domestic and family violence awareness training across the Loddon Mallee region, where rates of family violence are higher than the Victorian average.

Training sessions will support community members to recognise the signs of domestic and family violence early, respond safely and connect people with appropriate local support services.

The grant will support four half-day DV-aware training sessions in Mildura, Swan Hill and Central Goldfields, with a focus on prevention, early intervention and trauma-informed responses.

Meals With Impact Foundation Limited (VIC)

Meals With Impact Foundation will run a 10-week training and employment program for 25 women, supporting pathways into work in food manufacturing, hospitality and related industries.

Participants will build practical skills in areas such as food safety, workplace communication, digital technology, wellbeing and financial literacy, while also taking part in resume support, work simulations and interviews with employment partners.

The program supports participants to work towards Food Safety Certification, build confidence and social connection, and strengthen pathways to paid work through social procurement partnerships with business and government.

Women of Colour Australia (NSW)

Women of Colour Australia’s WoCMentorWoC 2027 program will support 10 Women of Colour through a national online mentorship program.

Over four months, participants will be matched with experienced Women of Colour mentors to build leadership confidence, strengthen career skills and grow professional networks.

The grant will fully fund all 10 mentee places, removing financial barriers to participation and supporting a redesigned, evidence-informed program informed by Women of Colour Australia’s 2024 workplace research.

Cheltenham Community Centre (VIC)

Cheltenham Community Centre will deliver a 12‑month inclusive activity program for people with intellectual disability, responding to local demand for accessible opportunities to connect and participate in community life.

Two weekly sessions will offer movement, drama, games and creative activities in a safe and welcoming environment, supporting social connection and reducing isolation.

Around 25 to 30 people are expected to take part each week, building confidence, friendships and a stronger sense of belonging.

The grant will support the delivery of two sessions each week across 48 weeks, with activities tailored to participants’ interests, abilities and support needs by qualified facilitators and support workers.

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Prace Ltd (VIC)

Prace Ltd’s Future Fit program supports young people aged 16 to 20 in Melbourne’s outer north who are no longer in school and face barriers to further study or work.

Through group learning, one-on-one mentoring and practical hospitality and customer service experience, the program supports participants as they build confidence, strengthen job-seeking skills and reconnect with education, training and employment pathways.

The grant will support weekly sessions, individual pathway planning, goal setting, and follow-up support for young people to take their next steps beyond the program.

Rethink Recycling Co-op Ltd (VIC)

Rethink Recycling Co-op’s RRC Cube will make hands-on circular economy education more accessible for schools and community groups.

The compact, portable system will include plastic recycling injection and extrusion equipment, giving students and community members a practical way to learn how recycled materials can be turned into new products.

The grant will support the design, build, fit-out and safety testing of the RRC Cube, creating a transportable education platform that can be used across a range of learning settings.

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The Footpath Library (NSW)

The Footpath Library will provide literacy kits for children experiencing homelessness and living in crisis accommodation across Greater Sydney, the Central Coast and Hunter regions.

Each kit will include age-appropriate books, activities and a reading bear, giving children access to familiar, comforting resources during a time of disruption.

The project aims to support informal literacy development, reduce stress, and help children maintain a sense of stability when school, home and community connections have been interrupted.

The Reconnect Project (TAS)

The Reconnect Project will provide 100 refurbished laptops to primary and high school students in Tasmania who do not have reliable access to a computer at home.

The project will source decommissioned laptops from businesses, securely erase the data and fully refurbish each device before distributing them to students attending schools in lower socioeconomic communities.

Funding will also support paid training and employment for neurodivergent young adults in the repair workshop, supporting practical work experience while increasing access to technology for students.