Gandel Foundation Annual Open Grant Program 2026: Up to $50,000 for Organisations Supporting Young People’s Positive Futures in Australia
Applications will soon open for the Gandel Foundation Annual Open Grant Program 2026, offering eligible Australian charitable organisations the opportunity to apply for funding of up to $50,000 for projects lasting up to one year.
The 2026 Annual Open Grant Program is focused on Young People’s Positive Futures, with funding intended to support organisations helping young adults aged 16 to 24 navigate significant transitions in their lives, particularly young people experiencing multiple and interconnected forms of disadvantage.
The grant round seeks to support organisations that help young people overcome barriers to:
- Wellbeing
- Social participation
- Education
- Employment
- Economic engagement
- Community participation
- Independence
- Positive life transitions
Particular attention is given to young people facing circumstances such as:
- Poverty
- Homelessness
- Substance use
- Trauma
- Health challenges
- Leaving out-of-home care
- Exiting the justice system
- Finishing formal education
- Transitioning into employment
- Other complex barriers to participation and independence
Importantly, this funding opportunity is not available directly to individual young people. Applications must come from eligible organisations registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) and holding Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) Item 1 status at the time of application.
The grant process involves two stages. Organisations must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). Selected organisations will then be invited to submit a full application.
The EOI round opens on:
Friday, 11 September 2026 at 9:00 AM
and closes on:
Thursday, 1 October 2026 at 12:00 PM midday
EOI applicants are expected to receive notification of the first-stage outcome on:
Wednesday, 7 October 2026
Eligible organisations are encouraged to review the Gandel Foundation’s FY26–29 Strategy, Grant Guidelines and Funding Exclusions before preparing an application.
About the Gandel Foundation Annual Open Grant Program
The Gandel Foundation provides philanthropic support to organisations seeking to create positive social outcomes in Australia.
Many of the Foundation’s other grant opportunities are primarily proactive or invitation-based. However, the Annual Open Grant Program provides an opportunity for eligible organisations to apply through an open competitive process.
For the current round, the Foundation has selected:
Young People’s Positive Futures
as the central funding focus.
The programme recognizes that the period between adolescence and adulthood can be particularly significant.
For many young people, the years between 16 and 24 involve major transitions involving:
- Education
- Employment
- Housing
- Independence
- Relationships
- Community participation
- Financial responsibility
- Health
- Identity
- Interaction with public institutions
Young people who have access to stable support systems may be able to navigate these transitions successfully.
Others, however, may encounter significant barriers.
The Annual Open Grant Program is designed particularly to support organisations working with those young people whose transitions toward adulthood are complicated by disadvantage.
Focus of the 2026 Grant Round: Young People’s Positive Futures
The 2026 Annual Open Grant Program focuses specifically on:
Young adults aged 16–24
who are moving through significant developmental and life transitions.
Gandel Foundation recognizes that this period can shape a young person’s future trajectory.
The right support during an important transition may help a young person:
- Remain connected to education
- Find meaningful employment
- Maintain stable housing
- Build supportive relationships
- Improve wellbeing
- Participate in society
- Avoid re-entry into the justice system
- Develop greater independence
- Build confidence and skills
The programme therefore seeks organisations capable of providing meaningful, appropriately timed support.
Priority for Young People Experiencing Multiple Disadvantages
The grant programme particularly emphasizes young people experiencing:
Multiple and interconnected forms of disadvantage.
This distinction is important.
The Foundation is not only interested in addressing a single isolated barrier.
Some young people may simultaneously experience combinations of:
- Financial hardship
- Unstable housing
- Family disruption
- Trauma
- Mental or physical health challenges
- Substance use
- Justice-system involvement
- Educational disengagement
- Limited employment opportunities
- Social exclusion
When several barriers overlap, the transition to independent adulthood can become significantly more difficult.
The grant programme therefore prioritizes organisations supporting particularly vulnerable and marginalized young people.
Supporting Young People Experiencing Poverty
Poverty can affect multiple areas of a young person’s life.
Financial insecurity may make it harder to:
- Continue studying
- Travel to education or employment
- Maintain stable accommodation
- Participate socially
- Access services
- Prepare for employment
- Meet basic needs
Projects seeking to improve young people’s longer-term pathways may therefore address economic barriers alongside broader social and developmental needs.
Supporting Young People Experiencing Homelessness
Young people facing homelessness or unstable accommodation may encounter significant barriers to education, employment, health and social participation.
Organisations working with homeless or housing-insecure young people may potentially fit the objectives of the programme where their work supports positive transitions and longer-term outcomes.
The Foundation’s focus is on helping young people navigate barriers that prevent them from realizing their potential.
Supporting Young People Affected by Trauma
Experiences of trauma can have long-term effects on:
- Mental health
- Education
- Relationships
- Employment
- Trust
- Decision-making
- Participation in community life
The programme recognizes trauma as one of several factors that can contribute to interconnected disadvantage.
Organisations supporting trauma-affected young people may therefore be relevant where their programmes align with the wider goal of building positive future pathways.
Health Challenges
Health challenges are also identified as one of the possible forms of disadvantage affecting young adults.
These may interact with:
- Housing insecurity
- Economic participation
- Education
- Employment
- Social engagement
The programme’s broader approach recognizes that barriers affecting young people are often interconnected rather than neatly separated.
Substance Use
The Foundation also acknowledges that substance use can form part of the complex circumstances affecting young people’s transition toward adulthood.
Organisations addressing substance use alongside broader issues of wellbeing, employment, housing or social participation may therefore potentially align with the programme’s priorities.
Transition From Out-of-Home Care
One important transition explicitly highlighted by Gandel Foundation is:
Leaving out-of-home care.
Young people leaving care may face major changes in:
- Housing
- Financial responsibility
- Education
- Employment
- Support networks
- Access to services
- Independent living
The move from structured care arrangements toward independent adulthood can be particularly difficult where stable family or community support is limited.
The programme therefore welcomes organisations helping young people make this transition successfully.
Young People Exiting the Justice System
Another transition specifically identified is:
Exiting the justice system.
Young people leaving the justice system may encounter barriers involving:
- Employment
- Education
- Housing
- Social stigma
- Family relationships
- Community participation
- Re-engagement with services
Support during this period may help create stronger pathways toward stability and social participation.
Organisations working with young people transitioning out of justice-system involvement may therefore find the grant particularly relevant.
Transition From Education
The Foundation also highlights young people who are:
Finishing formal education.
The transition out of school, vocational education or another educational setting can be challenging, especially when young people lack clear pathways into:
- Employment
- Further study
- Training
- Community participation
Programmes that help vulnerable young people move from education into sustainable next steps may align with the funding focus.
Transition Into Employment
Employment can be a major element of the transition into adulthood.
Yet young people experiencing multiple disadvantages may encounter barriers including:
- Limited work experience
- Educational disruption
- Lack of professional networks
- Housing instability
- Health problems
- Justice-system involvement
- Financial hardship
Projects that help young people navigate the transition into employment may be suitable where they contribute to broader wellbeing and economic engagement.
Grant Amount
The Annual Open Grant Program offers grants of:
Up to $50,000
for projects lasting:
Up to one year
The supplied information does not explicitly label the currency as AUD, although the Foundation and programme operate in Australia. Applicants should confirm the exact financial terms in the official Grant Guidelines before finalizing budgets.
The maximum grant amount should also not be interpreted as an automatic award of $50,000 to every successful applicant.
Applicants should develop a budget appropriate to the actual scale and needs of their proposed project.
Grant Duration
Funding is available for:
Up to one year
This means applicants should develop projects that can reasonably deliver their proposed activities and outcomes within a 12-month period.
A strong project should therefore have:
- Clearly defined objectives
- Realistic activities
- Appropriate staffing
- Measurable outcomes
- A realistic budget
- A practical implementation timeline
Two-Stage Application Process
The Gandel Foundation Annual Open Grant Program uses a:
Two-stage application process
This is important because organisations do not initially submit the full grant proposal.
The process begins with an:
Expression of Interest
or:
EOI
Only organisations selected during the first stage will be invited to move to the second stage.
Stage 1: Expression of Interest
The EOI allows the Foundation to identify organisations and project concepts that best align with:
- The programme’s focus
- Eligibility requirements
- Strategic priorities
- Funding objectives
Organisations should use the EOI to communicate clearly:
- The problem they are addressing
- The young people they serve
- The transition point involved
- The disadvantages faced by the target group
- The proposed response
- Why the intervention matters
- The outcomes expected
Applicants should avoid trying to include every possible organisational activity.
The EOI should focus specifically on the project being proposed for this grant round.
Stage 2: Full Application
Following assessment of the EOIs, selected applicants will be:
Invited to submit a full application.
Being invited to Stage 2 does not necessarily guarantee funding.
Rather, it means the organisation has progressed to a more detailed assessment stage.
The full application is likely to require additional information about areas such as:
- Project design
- Budget
- Outcomes
- Implementation
- Organisational capacity
- Evaluation
Applicants should follow the instructions supplied to shortlisted organisations.
EOI Opening Date
EOI submissions open on:
Friday, 11 September 2026 at 9:00 AM
The online application portal will become available through the Gandel Foundation website when submissions open.
Organisations cannot submit the formal EOI before the application period begins.
EOI Deadline
EOI submissions close on:
Thursday, 1 October 2026 at 12:00 PM midday
Applicants should pay close attention to the closing time.
The deadline is midday, not midnight.
Organisations should aim to submit in advance to avoid:
- Portal issues
- Internet problems
- Missing attachments
- Last-minute revisions
EOI Outcome Date
Organisations are expected to receive notification of their first-stage outcome on:
Wednesday, 7 October 2026
Those invited to continue will then move into the full application stage.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is designed for:
Eligible charitable and not-for-profit organisations
rather than individuals.
Two organizational eligibility requirements are specifically identified.
Applicants must:
- Be registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.
- Hold Deductible Gift Recipient Item 1 status when applying.
Both requirements are important.
Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Registration
Applicants must be registered with the:
Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission
commonly known as:
ACNC
Organisations that are not registered with the ACNC do not meet the published eligibility requirements.
Applicants should check their registration status before beginning the application.
DGR Item 1 Status
Organisations must also hold:
Deductible Gift Recipient Item 1 status
at the time of application.
This is a specific tax status relevant to eligible Australian charitable organisations.
Holding general not-for-profit status without DGR Item 1 status is not sufficient under the stated criteria.
Applicants should verify this before preparing an EOI.
Individuals Cannot Apply
The Gandel Foundation explicitly states:
Individuals cannot be funded.
This means the programme is not a direct grant for:
- Individual young people
- Students
- Young entrepreneurs
- Researchers
- Individual community leaders
Young people aged 16–24 are the intended beneficiaries of funded programmes, not the direct grant applicants.
The application must come from an eligible organisation.
One Application Per Organisation
The Foundation will accept:
No more than one application per organisation.
Organisations operating multiple programmes must therefore decide which proposed project best aligns with the grant round.
Submitting several applications under different teams or projects is not allowed under the published rules.
This makes internal prioritization important.
Geographic Focus
The programme supports work across Australia, but geographic preferences apply.
The Foundation states that:
Preference is given to Victorian organisations and programmes.
This means organisations and projects based in:
Victoria, Australia
may receive particular consideration.
However, organisations outside Victoria are not automatically excluded.
Organisations Outside Victoria
The Foundation may consider organisations outside Victoria if they:
- Have a national focus, or
- Address a broader community issue
This creates potential eligibility for organisations operating elsewhere in Australia where the project has relevance beyond a narrowly local context.
Applicants outside Victoria should explain clearly why their work fits the Foundation’s broader priorities.
Funding Exclusions
Before submitting an EOI, organisations should carefully review the Foundation’s general funding exclusions.
Several important exclusions apply.
No Funding for Individuals
The Foundation does not fund individual applicants.
All applications must come from qualifying organisations.
No Retrospective Funding
The Foundation will not provide:
Retrospective funding
This means organisations should not apply for expenses that have already been incurred or projects that have already been completed.
The grant should support future activity.
No Recurrent Administrative Costs
The Foundation does not provide funding for:
Recurrent administrative costs
Applicants should therefore distinguish between the direct costs of delivering the proposed project and the organisation’s ongoing general operating expenses.
Applicants should consult the detailed Grant Guidelines for clarification about allowable project-related overheads or staffing.
No Continuous Funding
Gandel Foundation states that it does:
Not provide continuous funding to organisations.
Applicants should therefore not design the proposal around the assumption that funding will automatically continue after the one-year grant period.
Projects should have a clear plan for sustainability or completion.
No Duplicate Services
The Foundation will not fund programmes that:
Duplicate existing services.
Applicants should therefore demonstrate what is distinctive about their proposed intervention.
They should be able to explain:
- What gap currently exists
- Why existing services do not adequately address it
- How the proposed programme adds value
No Auspiced Applications
The Foundation does not accept:
Auspiced applications.
An organisation cannot therefore rely on another entity to apply as its auspicing body.
Applicants need to meet the Foundation’s eligibility requirements themselves.
Government Bodies Are Not Eligible
The Foundation does not provide grants to:
Government bodies.
This is important for:
- Government departments
- Local government entities
- Public agencies
Applicants should verify their institutional status before applying.
Harmful Activities Are Excluded
Funding will not be provided for activities that may be considered harmful to:
- Community
- Environment
This aligns with the Foundation’s broader philanthropic and social-impact objectives.
Personal Expenses Are Not Funded
The Foundation does not fund:
Personal expenses.
The grant is intended for eligible organisational programmes rather than personal financial support.
Films and Documentaries Are Usually Not Funded
Gandel Foundation states that it does not usually fund:
- Film production
- Documentary production
Organisations proposing media-focused projects should therefore review this exclusion carefully before investing time in an application.
Review the FY26–29 Strategy Before Applying
The Foundation strongly encourages applicants to review its:
FY26–29 Strategy
before submitting an EOI.
This is strategically important.
A competitive application should not simply meet the formal eligibility criteria.
It should also demonstrate alignment with the Foundation’s broader priorities.
Applicants should use the strategy to understand:
- What Gandel Foundation aims to achieve
- Which communities it prioritizes
- How it understands social impact
- What kinds of interventions align with its approach
Review the Grant Guidelines
Applicants should also carefully read the:
Annual Open Grant Program Guidelines
before beginning the EOI.
The guidelines should be treated as the authoritative source regarding:
- Eligibility
- Application requirements
- Funding conditions
- Assessment
- Project expectations
Organisations should avoid relying only on social-media summaries.
Review Funding Exclusions
Before preparing the application, applicants should confirm that neither their organisation nor proposed activities fall within one of the Foundation’s exclusions.
This can save significant time.
A compelling project will not proceed if the organisation does not meet the fundamental funding rules.
Building a Strong EOI
1. Clearly Identify the Young People You Serve
Do not describe the target group simply as:
“Young people aged 16–24.”
Explain who they are.
For example:
- Young people leaving care
- Young people experiencing homelessness
- Young people transitioning out of justice-system involvement
- Young people disconnected from education
- Young people facing several overlapping disadvantages
The more clearly the target population is understood, the easier it is to evaluate the project.
2. Explain the Transition Point
The programme is particularly focused on transitions.
A strong application should identify:
What transition is taking place?
For example:
- Care to independent living
- Justice system to community reintegration
- School to employment
- Education to further study
- Homelessness to stable housing
- Trauma recovery toward social participation
This helps demonstrate direct alignment with the funding theme.
3. Explain the Barriers
The Foundation specifically emphasizes multiple and interconnected disadvantage.
Applicants should describe the barriers experienced by participants.
These might include combinations of:
- Poverty
- Housing instability
- Trauma
- Health challenges
- Substance use
- Educational exclusion
- Employment barriers
Avoid treating disadvantage only as a generic label.
4. Explain What Will Change
A grant proposal should describe outcomes rather than only activities.
Instead of saying:
“We will deliver workshops,”
explain what those workshops are expected to achieve.
Potential outcomes might involve improvements in:
- Wellbeing
- Social participation
- Employment readiness
- Education engagement
- Stable housing
- Confidence
- Independence
The exact outcomes should be appropriate to the proposed programme.
5. Demonstrate That the Programme Does Not Duplicate Existing Services
The Foundation explicitly excludes duplicated services.
Applicants should therefore explain:
- What existing services are available
- What gap remains
- Why the proposed approach is necessary
- How the programme complements rather than duplicates existing support
6. Develop a Realistic One-Year Plan
Because funding is available for up to one year, the proposed programme should be achievable within that period.
A strong plan should clearly establish:
- Start-up activities
- Participant engagement
- Service delivery
- Monitoring
- Evaluation
- Final outputs
Avoid proposing an overly ambitious intervention that cannot realistically be delivered within 12 months.
7. Build a Justified Budget
The maximum available funding is:
$50,000
but applicants should request what is genuinely required.
A credible budget should connect directly to:
- Project activities
- Staffing
- Participant support
- Delivery expenses
- Evaluation
- Relevant project costs
subject to the Foundation’s funding rules.
What Makes This Grant Different?
The Annual Open Grant Program is particularly notable because Gandel Foundation states that many of its other grants are predominantly:
By invitation only.
The Annual Open Grant Program therefore creates a more accessible entry point for qualifying organisations that may not already have an invitation-based funding relationship with the Foundation.
However, the programme remains competitive and targeted.
Applicants should demonstrate both:
- Formal eligibility
- Strong strategic alignment
Important Dates at a Glance
EOI applications open: Friday, 11 September 2026 at 9:00 AM
EOI applications close: Thursday, 1 October 2026 at 12:00 PM midday
EOI outcome notification: Wednesday, 7 October 2026
Full application stage: By invitation following successful EOI assessment
Important Funding Details at a Glance
Funder: Gandel Foundation
Programme: Annual Open Grant Program
2026 focus: Young People’s Positive Futures
Target beneficiaries: Young people aged 16–24
Maximum grant: Up to $50,000
Grant duration: Up to one year
Application process: Two stages
Stage 1: Expression of Interest
Stage 2: Full application by invitation
Number of applications: Maximum one per organisation
Geographic preference: Victoria, with some consideration for eligible organisations outside Victoria with national or broader community focus
Eligibility Checklist
Before applying, organisations should confirm that they:
- Are registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.
- Hold DGR Item 1 status.
- Are applying as an organisation rather than an individual.
- Have not submitted another application from the same organisation.
- Are proposing work supporting young people aged 16–24.
- Are addressing relevant transition points and disadvantage.
- Are requesting funding for future rather than retrospective activity.
- Are not requesting recurrent administrative funding.
- Are not submitting an auspiced application.
- Are not a government body.
- Are not proposing a programme that merely duplicates an existing service.
- Can deliver the project within a maximum of one year.
- Are requesting no more than $50,000.
Contact Information
Organisations with questions about the Annual Open Grant Program or Gandel Foundation’s grantmaking may contact:
Email: info@gandelfoundation.org.au
Phone: (03) 8564 1288
Applicants are encouraged to review the official programme information and Grant Guidelines before contacting the Foundation with questions already addressed in those materials.
FORMS
Please see below the template application forms for the Annual Open Grant Program
Please note you’ll only be required to complete the full application and budget if you have been informed of a successful EOI submission.
These forms are provided for viewing purposes only, all applications must be submitted through the Gandel Foundation online portal.
Annual Open Grant Program EOI Form
Conclusion
The Gandel Foundation Annual Open Grant Program 2026 – Young People’s Positive Futures provides eligible Australian charitable organisations with an opportunity to secure up to $50,000 for projects lasting up to one year.
The programme focuses on young adults aged 16–24 who are navigating critical transitions and experiencing barriers to wellbeing, social participation and economic engagement.
Particular attention is given to young people experiencing multiple and interconnected disadvantages, including poverty, homelessness, trauma, substance use and health challenges.
The Foundation is especially interested in organisations supporting young people during important transition points such as:
- Leaving out-of-home care
- Exiting the justice system
- Completing formal education
- Moving into employment
- Navigating other pathways toward greater independence
This is an organisational grant rather than direct financial support for individual young people.
To qualify, applicants must be registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission and hold DGR Item 1 status at the time of application.
Preference is given to organisations and programmes in Victoria, although organisations outside Victoria may be considered where they have a national focus or address a broader community issue.
The application process begins with an Expression of Interest and proceeds to a full application only for invited second-stage organisations.
EOIs open on 11 September 2026 at 9:00 AM and close on 1 October 2026 at 12:00 PM midday. EOI applicants are expected to be notified of the outcome on 7 October 2026.
Organisations considering applying should carefully review the Gandel Foundation FY26–29 Strategy, Grant Guidelines and Funding Exclusions before preparing their submission.
To know more about this opportunity, VISIT HERE.
To discover more global grant opportunities, VISIT HERE.
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