The VWG Program provides funding for ex-service organisations (ESOs) to undertake projects and activities that sustain or enhance health and social wellbeing, build community capacity, potentially expand on existing projects and raise awareness of important issues faced by the veteran community.

The objectives of the program are to:

• maintain and improve the independence and quality of life for members of the veteran community by providing funding for activities and projects that sustain or enhance health and social wellbeing
• deliver activities and projects to the veteran community that build community capacity for the future that is not already provided by Commonwealth or state funding
• expand on existing activities and projects offered to veterans in new regions within Australia or in the development of new activities and projects that will be offered in more than one location
• raise awareness of the important issues faced by the veteran community.

Funding and categories

The Australian Government has announced a total of up to $3.777 million (GST exclusive) for the VWG Program for the 2024–25 financial year. There is no set proportion of the $3.777 million allocated per stream. Applications will be considered under grant categories: Stream A Small Grants (up to a maximum of $50,000 per grant) and Stream B Large Grants (from $50,001 to a maximum of $150,000 per grant).

Stream A small grants

Under Stream A, grants up to $50,000 per grant are available for small-scale, local and community-based practical projects and activities that support safe, accessible environments for veterans and families to enable social connection and positive engagement to improve wellbeing.

Stream B large grants

Under Stream B, grants from $50,001 to $200,000 are available for large projects and activities that deliver practical wellbeing support services and activities of broad-scale benefit to veterans and families in the community.

Eligibility

To be eligible, an organisation must either be an ESO (ex-service organisation) or be a non-ESO in a consortium with at least one ESO, and be an eligible entity type (see section below).

To be considered an ESO, you MUST meet all of the ESO definition criteria in section 4.1 of the guidelines. You may be asked to provide evidence that you meet all of the requirements.

Being a veteran-related organisation that provides a service or activity for veterans does not constitute that you meet all the requirements of being considered an ESO. These organisations are encouraged to apply in a consortium arrangement with an ESO. ESOs are encouraged to bring forward applications that are in partnership with other ESOs and/or veteran organisations to leverage opportunities.

To to be eligible to apply you must be either:

• an ex-service organisation (ESO) applying in your own right
• an ESO applying as the lead member of a consortium
• a non-ESO applying as the lead member of a consortium with at least one ESO

and  be one of the following legal entity types:

• Company
• Cooperative
• Incorporated Association
• Indigenous Corporation
• Statutory Entity.

Applications from Trustees on behalf of a Trust and consortia are acceptable, as long as:

• at least one of the members is an ESO 
• the lead applicant has an eligible entity type as per the list above 
• the lead applicant is solely accountable to the Commonwealth for the delivery of grant activities.

• Phone: 1800 020 283 (option 1)
• Email: support@communitygrants.gov.au