Securing sustainable funding remains one of the greatest challenges facing LGBTQIA+ foundations, non-profit organizations, charities, and grassroots community groups across Australia.
Whether you run a small Pride organization in rural Queensland, a youth drop-in centre in Western Sydney, or a national advocacy foundation, finding the right grant can feel overwhelming.
Fortunately, 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year for LGBTQIA+ funding in Australia.
With a proposed $456 million in federal funding for LGBTIQA+ health and wellbeing initiatives starting from July 1, 2026 , combined with significant state government commitments and private foundation grants, there is more money available now than ever before.
This guide provides the most complete and up-to-date list of grants for LGBT foundations in Australia for 2026.
Buffett LGBT Grant
Buffett LGBT Grant is first on our list. Please note that the Buffett Foundation (associated with the family of Warren Buffett) typically funds systemic change advocacy groups, NGOs, developmental projects and LGBT owned projects and businesses, legal advocacy, and mental health initiatives across North America and select international partners.
For Australian applicants: The Buffett Foundation application is through its dedicated, publicly listed “Buffett LGBT Grant” program portal”, specifically for Australia.
How to apply in 2026:
- Visit The Buffett Foundation’s official grants portal
- Complete the application form online
- Submit application and wait 1 or 2 days for first feedback
If the Buffett LGBT Grant is still accepting applications from Australia in 2026, we also recommend the following grants.
National Philanthropic Grants (Pride Foundation Australia)
Pride Foundation Australia (PFA) is the country’s only national philanthropic foundation specifically focused on funding LGBTQIA+ community issues . If you are looking for a grant in 2026, this is your most reliable and accessible starting point.
1. Pride Foundation Australia – Large Grant Round: Supporting ATSSSI Communities
This is PFA’s flagship large grant round for 2026, with a specific focus on Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and South Sea Islander (ATSSSI) LGBTQIA+ people .
- Total Funding Pool: $100,000
- Grant Size: $5,000 to $20,000 (over two years if applicable)
- Who Can Apply: Projects must be led by ATSSSI people and/or organisations. Applicants need an ABN or incorporation (charity registration is not required). Unincorporated groups must have an auspice .
- Funding Areas:
- Enhancing cultural engagement and development
- Reducing social isolation
- Improving health and/or health literacy
- Supporting links to LGBTQIA+ services
- Improving LGBTQIA+ inclusive and culturally appropriate practices in services
- Deadline: Applications open April 14, 2026 and proceed until the funding pool is exhausted (assessed monthly on a rolling basis) .
- How to Apply: Create an account on the Australian Communities Foundation Grants Portal and use the access code PFAATSSSI .
2. Pride Foundation Australia – Large Grant Round: Supporting Forcibly Displaced LGBTQIA+ People
This grant round focuses on supporting LGBTQIA+ refugees, asylum seekers, and people with a refugee background residing in Australia .
- Total Funding Pool: $20,000
- Grant Size: Up to $20,000 over two years
- Who Can Apply: Organisations with an ABN or incorporation. Individuals cannot apply. Partnerships between FDP-focused and LGBTQIA+-focused organisations are strongly encouraged .
- Funding Areas:
- Improving access to stable housing
- Enhancing education and/or workforce participation
- Improving settlement outcomes
- Supporting links to LGBTQIA+ services
- Improving LGBTQIA+ inclusivity in services
- Key Dates:
- EOI Deadline: April 10, 2026 (5pm AEST)
- Shortlisted applicants invited to apply: Mid-May 2026
- Final application deadline: May 29, 2026
- How to Apply: Use access code PFAGR2026 on the Australian Communities Foundation Grants Portal .
3. Pride Foundation Australia – Small Grants Program (Three Rounds in 2026)
The Small Grants program supports smaller, creative, and innovative projects proposed by individuals, organisations, or communities that might be limited by other funding programs .
- Grant Size: Up to $1,000 per grant
- Who Can Apply: Individuals, organisations, and communities
- Focus: Projects must directly or indirectly assist, involve, and benefit LGBTQIA+ people and promote positive social outcomes and mental health .
Round 1 2026 (Currently Open)
- Funding Priority: Transgender, non-binary, and gender diverse people and communities
- Opens: January 19, 2026
- Closes: April 13, 2026
Round 2 2026
- Funding Priority: Projects supporting healthy ageing for older LGBTQIA+ people
- Opens: May 4, 2026
- Closes: July 13, 2026
Round 3 2026
- Funding Priority: Regional and rural communities
- Opens: August 3, 2026
- Closes: November 16, 2026
Proposed Federal Government Funding (Starting July 1, 2026)
The following proposals have been costed by the Parliamentary Budget Office and are scheduled to start from July 1, 2026. These represent significant opportunities for LGBTQIA+ organisations once the funding is formally allocated. Monitor official government announcements for grant rounds opening on or after this date.
4. National LGBTIQA+ Health and Wellbeing Action Plan
This is the largest proposed funding package. It aims to invest in accessible, inclusive healthcare for LGBTIQA+ Australians and eliminate discriminatory practices in health and social services .
- Total Proposed Funding: $456 million over 4 years (2026-27 to 2028-29)
- Key Components:
- $300 million to support the National LGBTIQA+ Health and Wellbeing Action Plan
- $300 million for LGBTIQA+-specific mental health programs and services
- $70 million in grants funding over 4 years for LGBTIQA+ community-controlled health organisations
- $200 million capped funding for crisis intervention, suicide prevention, elder support, and disability participation
- $2.5 million per year for training medical professionals through national standards
- Start Date: July 1, 2026
5. Support for LGBTIQ+ Refugees
- Proposed Funding: $40 million over 4 years
- Purpose: To support LGBTIQ+ refugees with an internal target, funding, and tailored assistance to protect them from persecution .
- Start Date: July 1, 2026
6. School LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Program
- Proposed Funding: $350 million per year (indexed to CPI)
- Purpose: To provide professional development via state and territory governments, enabling every school to offer a program on LGBTIQA+ inclusion .
- Start Date: July 1, 2026 (ongoing)
7. Improved Data Collection for LGBTIQA+ Australians
- Proposed Funding: **$2.5 million per year** (at least $25 million over 10 years)
- Purpose: To improve the quality and integrity of public data collection of sex, gender, and sexual orientation in the census and data collection by other government departments .
- Start Date: July 1, 2026
Section 3: State Government Grants
State governments also provide significant funding for LGBTQIA+ organisations. Western Australia and Victoria have particularly active programs.
How to Write a Winning Grant Application in Australia (2026)
Simply having a list of grants is not enough. You need to know how to write for Australian funders in 2026. Here are five critical tips:
1. Use the Correct Terminology
Australian funders, government bodies, and the Parliamentary Budget Office primarily use the acronym “LGBTIQA+” (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, Asexual, plus) . Some also use “2SLGBTQI+” (Two-Spirit) when working with Indigenous communities, but LGBTIQA+ remains the standard in Australia.
2. Prioritise Intersectionality
Funders are explicitly prioritising projects that serve:
- Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and South Sea Islander (ATSSSI) LGBTQIA+ people
- Forcibly displaced LGBTQIA+ people (refugees and asylum seekers)
- Regional and rural communities
- Transgender, non-binary, and gender diverse people
- Young people (under 25)
- People with disability
If your project does not address at least one of these intersections, explain why.
3. Consider Auspicing Arrangements
Unlike some other countries, many Australian grant programs do not require full charity registration or DGR status. However, you do generally need organisational status (incorporation or an ABN). If you don’t have these, find an auspice – a registered organisation that agrees to administer the funds on your behalf .
4. Youth-Led Projects Get Priority
For youth-focused grants like the HEY Grants, projects that are genuinely led by young people (under 25) are prioritised. This means young people should be the decision-makers, not just consultants.
5. Watch for July 1, 2026
The proposed federal funding (including the $456 million Health Action Plan, $40 million for refugee support, and $350 million for school inclusion) is scheduled to start from July 1, 2026 . Monitor the Parliamentary Budget Office and relevant government department websites from that date for formal grant round announcements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can individuals apply for these grants?
A: Yes, for the Buffett Grants program, individuals can apply . However, for the Large Grant rounds, you need organisational status or an auspice .
Q2: Do I need to be a registered charity?
A: No. Buffett Grants explicitly states that charity registration and DGR status are not required. You only need an ABN or incorporation .
Q3: Can organisations outside Victoria apply for HEY Grants?
A: No. HEY Grants are only for projects designed to support LGBTQIA+ young people in Victoria.
Q4: Can organisations outside Western Australia apply for WA Inclusion Grants?
A: No. WA Inclusion Grants are for organisations serving communities within Western Australia .
**Q5: Is the $456 million federal funding confirmed?
A: The $456 million for the National LGBTIQA+ Health and Wellbeing Action Plan has been costed by the Parliamentary Budget Office and is proposed to start on July 1, 2026 . Monitor official government announcements for confirmation of grant rounds.
Q6: Can I apply for multiple PFA grants at once?
A: Yes, but if you have received a previous grant, you must submit an acquittal for the previously funded project before re-applying .
Q7: Where can I find the Buffett LGBT Grant application link?
A: You must go to The Buffett Foundation’s official website and navigate to their grants or “apply for grants” section.
Final Thoughts & Next Steps
2026 is a year of unprecedented funding for LGBTQIA+ foundations and organisations across Australia. With $456 million in proposed federal funding starting in July 2026, combined with Pride Foundation Australia’s national grants, Western Australian Inclusion Grants, and Victorian state government programs, there is more support available than ever before.
Your next steps:
- The Buffett LGBT Grant is available for Australia, Apply through: https://www.buffettgrant.com/apply-for-lgbt-grants/
- Apply for PFA Small Grants Round 1 immediately if you have a trans, non-binary, or gender diverse project (closes April 13, 2026) .
- Prepare your EOI for the PFA Large Grant for forcibly displaced people (closes April 10, 2026) .
- Submit your PFA ATSSSI Large Grant application (rolling from April 14, 2026) .
- Mark July 1, 2026 on your calendar to watch for federal grant announcements.
- If you are in Victoria, prepare for HEY Grants Round 16 opening in mid-2026.
- If you are in Western Australia, watch for the next round of LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Grants on the Department of Communities website.
Good luck, and thank you for the work you do to support Australia’s LGBTQIA+ communities.
