Mary MacKillop Today (an incorporated work of the Sisters of Saint Joseph) is pleased to announce that applications for both their Community Grants Program 2026 (General Non-SOSJ Stream) and the Highways and Byways Small Grants Program are now open! Applications will close at 5.00pm on Monday 9 March 2026 (AEDT).
Community Grants Program
The Community Grants Program began in response to the ‘on-the-ground work’ of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, supporting vulnerable communities across Australia. In 2025, the program awarded $165,000 in small grants to 18 organisations working in urban, regional, and remote communities. Of this total:
- $50,000 was allocated to projects led by the Sisters of Saint Joseph and Associates, and
- $115,000 was awarded to other (non-SOSJ) organisations.
Of the 18 grants awarded in 2025, five projects were based in rural and regional communities. Funded initiatives addressed a wide range of issues, including:
- creating learning and employment opportunities for young people on the autism spectrum,
- empowering women in vulnerable situations, and
- recycling discarded bicycles to provide newly arrived refugee and migrant youth with life-skills training.
Projects were delivered across Australia, including in Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia.
Eligible projects under the General (Non-SOSJ) Stream may apply for grants of up to $10,000 AUD to deliver small but life-changing projects for Australians at the margins. This year the theme for community grants is:Supporting rural young people to engage in their community.
To learn more and access the Community Grants Guidelines for 2026, visit:
www.marymackilloptoday.org.au/what-we-do/our-projects/grants
To apply for a Community Grant, visit:
www.marymackilloptoday.org.au/community-grants-apply-for-stream-2/
and select Community Grants from the drop-down menu.
Highways and Byways Small Grants Program
The Highways and Byways Small Grants Program partners with communities seeking to deliver enriching local initiatives that encourage participation in sustainable projects, strengthen connection to Country, access Indigenous knowledge, and build bridges across generations.
The 2026 theme, Breathing New Life into Your Community and Country recognises the increasing frequency of extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and bushfires. These challenges, combined with cost-of-living pressures, housing shortages, and employment insecurity, continue to place significant strain on rural, regional, and remote communities across Australia.
Grants of up to $5,000 AUD are available for projects that align with this year’s theme and eligibility criteria.
To learn more and read the Highways and Byways Small Grants Guidelines for 2026, visit: www.marymackilloptoday.org.au/what-we-do/our-projects/small-grants-program
To apply for a Highways and Byways Small Grant, visit: www.marymackilloptoday.org.au/highways-and-byways-apply-for-small-grant/
and select Small Grants from the drop-down menu.
Simplified Application Process
Once again, the application process for both grants has been streamlined. Applicants can complete the online form directly and use the “Save for later” function to return and finish their application at a later time if needed.
Mary MacKillop Today looks forward to receiving your application.