Applications for the Mary MacKillop Today Community Grants Program 2026 (Sisters of Saint Joseph Stream only) will open at 9am on Monday 25 August and close at 5pm on Thursday 25 September 2025 (AEST).

Eligible projects under the Sisters of Saint Joseph (SOSJ) Stream may apply for grants up to $10,000 AUD to deliver small, life-changing projects that promote life-long learning for Australians at the margins.

This year once again, the application process has been made easier with a save for later function that allows applicants to type in the grant information to the online form directly and save to complete later if needed.

The Community Grants Program began as a response to ‘on-the-ground’ work done by the Sisters of Saint Joseph with vulnerable communities. In 2025, the Program awarded $165,000 in small grants to 18 grantees in urban, regional and remote communities. Of this amount, $50,000 was allocated towards applications received from the Sisters of Saint Joseph and Associates, while $115,000 was allocated to applications from Other (non-SOSJ) organisations.

Of the 18 grants offered in 2025, five projects are in rural/regional communities. The projects cover a range of issues from creating learning and employment opportunities for young people on the autism spectrum, to the empowerment of women in vulnerable situations, and the recycling of discarded bicycles that provide newly arrived refugee and migrant youth with life skills training. The programs are from all around Australia including Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia.

Dates are yet to be confirmed for the opening of the General (non-SOSJ) Stream for next year. Please visit our website for updates: www.marymackilloptoday.org.au/what-we-do/our-projects/australia/grants/how-to-apply

To find out more and to read the Community Grants Guidelines for 2026 – please click on the link www.marymackilloptoday.org.au/what-we-do/our-projects/australia/grants.