The Community Grants Program offers grants to support and deliver positive and lasting outcomes for our communities and is focused on four key areas.
Energy for everyone
Projects that help local community groups or facilities improve energy efficiency, lower its operating bills, or deliver local energy awareness and education workshops.
Goal: Supporting vulnerable community members, easing living pressures and ensuring no one is left behind as our energy landscape evolves, building stronger, more inclusive communities.
Example projects:
Upgrading community halls, youth centres, or senior facilities with energy-efficient heating, cooling, or solar systems to reduce operational bills.
Funding local energy-hardship initiatives, community winter warmth drives, or emergency relief supplies.
Running local workshops on energy efficiency, household budgeting, or navigating energy bill relief for pensioners and vulnerable households.
Reconciliation
Initiatives that promote First Nations cultural awareness, support local Aboriginal-led community projects, or strengthen local cultural connections and events.
Goal: Promoting First Nations culture and respect, and creating practical social, cultural, and economic opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Example projects:
Supporting local Indigenous youth mentoring, leadership programs, or cultural camps.
Funding cultural heritage preservation, local NAIDOC Week events, or public art and storytelling installations co-designed with Traditional Owners.
Purchasing equipment or resources for local Aboriginal-led community groups, men’s/women’s groups or cultural dance and language preservation programs, or supporting local cultural education initiatives.
Future energy leaders
Local educational and youth initiatives that build hands-on STEM skills, support school projects, or encourage career pathways for regional youth.
Goal: Investing in our young people, building STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths) skills, and opening up clear career pathways for local students.
Example projects:
Purchasing robotics kits, 3D printers, science lab equipment or engineering construction sets for regional primary and high schools.
Establishing local youth leadership academies, environmental science field trips, or trades-focused career workshops with hands-on STEM activities.
Supporting community-led coding clubs, renewable energy school projects, or youth innovation challenges.
Stronger communities
Practical equipment, small facility upgrades, or local events that strengthen community connections, health, wellbeing and regional volunteer groups.
Goal: Enhancing local resilience, backing regional events and boosting community health, wellbeing and connectedness, while creating opportunities for local groups to thrive.
Example projects:
Facility upgrades for local sports clubs, volunteer fire brigades, showgrounds, or community gardens, including accessible facilities.
Purchasing essential equipment for local emergency services, rescue squads, or community health groups, including first aid supplies.
Funding iconic regional festivals, agricultural shows, mental health awareness workshops, or town revival initiatives, celebrating local culture and identity.
Applications for the Community Grants Program open on
18 October 2026
Key details and dates
Applications open: 9:00am, 18 October 2026
Applications close: 11:55pm, Sunday 15 November 2026
Notification of outcome: All applicants will be notified in writing within eight weeks of the closing date for each round
Eligible LGAs: Snowy Monaro (NSW), Snowy Valleys (NSW), Cessnock (NSW), Central Coast (NSW), Towong Shire (VIC), Latrobe City (VIC), City of Hobsons Bay (VIC), The Barossa Council (SA) and City of Onkaparinga (SA).
Step 1: Application
Applications open on the Snowy Hydro website. All applications must be submitted via our online grants platform by the advertised deadline.
Step 2: Assessment
Applications are assessed against the criteria over approximately eight weeks. All applicants are notified of the outcome via email. Unsuccessful applicants can request feedback.
Step 3: Administration
Successful applicants will begin the grant administration process. This requires signing a grant agreement and providing an invoice before funds can be released.
Step 4: Project Delivery
Recipients complete their approved community project/event/initiative
within 12 months of the agreement date.
Step 5: Acquittal
After the project is complete, you’ll have six weeks to complete the acquittal form to finalise the grant process.
Case studies
CUC Snowy Monaro
“The Snowy Hydro Community Grant has made it possible for us to establish the Speak Up: Empowering Future Leaders of Snowy Monaro program. The impact of this initiative is already evident, as participants are emerging as motivated, engaged, and proactive contributors to our community, ready to drive positive change and shape the future of our region.”
Big Brother Big Sister
“A funding contribution of this amount is crucial in the sustainability of our work. Big Brothers Big Sisters does not receive regular government funding, so to receive not just financial support, but also the backing and validation of our work by an organisation like Snowy Hydro gives us confidence in a sustainable future.”
Cooma Bowling Club
“By leveraging renewable energy technology, the Club aims to not only enhance its own operational efficiency and financial viability but also to inspire positive change and sustainable development across the local region. Through this initiative, we seek to create a more sustainable future for our Club and our community.”
FAQs
To apply, you must be a not-for-profit organisation located or delivering services within the Snowy Monaro (NSW), Snowy Valleys (NSW), Cessnock (NSW), Central Coast (NSW), Towong Shire (VIC), Latrobe City (VIC), City of Hobsons Bay (VIC), The Barossa Council (SA), and City of Onkaparinga (SA) local government areas. Your project must provide a lasting benefit to the community. You must also hold an ABN, or have an incorporated not-for-profit organisation that agrees to auspice your grant.
We do not provide funding for:
Political groups or those primarily engaged in political activities.
Religious initiatives that primarily focus on promoting religious activities or beliefs.
Private individuals or for-profit businesses.
Retrospective projects (those already completed or underway before the grant is awarded).
Recurrent expenses like rent, utilities, or employee wages.
Projects with unclear community impact, such as prize money.
Projects with unclear ownership, such as sporting equipment without a clear maintenance plan.
Initiatives related to tobacco, illegal drugs, or other inappropriate activities as deemed by Snowy Hydro.
Grants are tailored to suit community needs. In the Snowy Mountains we have 8 generating assets and are building Snowy 2.0 so our cap is $20,000. In our other operating regions, where we have 1 generating asset, our cap is $10,000 to allow us to distribute funding across a more diverse range of community groups and initiatives each round. If your initiative costs more than this, you can still apply, but must demonstrate in your application how you plan to secure the remainder of the funds to ensure you can successfully deliver your initiative.
The Community Grants Program now only has one funding round per year, which opens in October.
All applications must be submitted through the secure online portal, Surepact, by the application deadline.
Yes, you must provide quotes or other forms of evidence to support the costs in your application budget. This helps us ensure the viability and value of your project.
Snowy Hydro reserves the right to partially fund your initiative to support a broader range of community projects. We may also specify how the funds must be directed.
Yes, you must spend the funds within 12 months of receiving the grant, unless otherwise agreed in writing with Snowy Hydro. If grant funding is not expected to be spent in full within the timeframe specified by Snowy Hydro, you may request an extension to the timeframe in writing. If an extension to the timeframe is not granted, you must spend the funds within this time, or you will be asked to refund any amount not used.
All eligible applications are assessed against the criteria outlined in our grant guidelines. These criteria focus on community need, project viability, and alignment with our focus areas.
Generally, no. Operational costs are not eligible. However, if you believe a specific operational cost is an important part of your initiative, you may include it in your budget and provide a clear explanation.
As part of the screening process for all applications, a Snowy Hydro representative may contact your organisation by phone or email.
To ensure your application can progress smoothly, please ensure all contact details supplied to Snowy Hydro are correct and you are contactable and available.
If Snowy Hydro is not able to contact your organisation for more information or answers to questions, your application may not progress through the screening process.
General questions: Our Community team is here to assist. Email us at: community@snowyhydro.com.au
Technical issues: If you have issues with the grants portal, including bugs and difficulties submitting your application take a look at the SurePact Knowledge Hub or contact the SurePact support team.