Veteran Community Grant 2026-27

⁠⁠⁠Overview

The Department of People, Sport and Culture (NT) is offering the Veteran Community Grant 2026-27, providing short-term funding to enterprises, veteran organisations and community groups to create and promote an event or activity supporting members of the Northern Territory veteran community.

About

The Northern Territory has a strong relationship with the Defence community and is home to a veteran community of over 20,000, including current and ex-serving members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and their families. The 2023 Northern Territory Defence Veterans Strategy commits to supporting ex-ADF personnel and their families across three focus areas: Transition, Employment, and Education; Health and Wellbeing; and Respect and Recognition. Operation Thrive is the Northern Territory Government's action plan to make the Territory an attractive and supportive environment for current and ex-serving members of the ADF and their families to live and work. As part of Operation Thrive, the Northern Territory Government is committing a further $300,000 to support the Veteran Community Grant program.

Funding

The grant offers funding of up to $20,000 per applicant for an event or activity that benefits the Northern Territory veteran community. There will be 3 grant rounds available, each open for 3 weeks, with the first round running from 27 July to 14 August 2026. Applications will be assessed in line with approved grant objectives.

What can be funded

The aim of the Veteran Community Grant is to fund projects, events, programs and initiatives that recognise, celebrate and support the Northern Territory veteran community. Proposals are assessed on how well they meet the following criteria:

• Assist in improving the physical or emotional wellbeing of the Northern Territory veterans' community
• Foster opportunities for community building and social connection of the Northern Territory veterans' community
• Are accessible to a broad number of members in the Northern Territory veterans' community
• Promote services and supports available in the Northern Territory
• Assist to recognise and/or celebrate the veterans community in the Northern Territory

What can't be funded

• Any activity of a political nature
• Any activity of a commercial or business nature, i.e. to make a profit; activities provided must be delivered free or at a reduced cost
• Grant funding contributions directly towards fundraising or charitable activities
• Purchase of capital equipment (including hardware or software) exceeding 20% of the funding provided; capital purchases over $500 must be substantiated with quotes
• Retrospective funding for projects that have already started or been completed, or items already provided or previously purchased
• Events or activities already in receipt of funding from other NTG sources
• Alcohol
• Deficit budgets
• Overseas trips unrelated to the activity funded (guest speakers or facilitators invited to the event or activity may be considered)
• Employee expenses, such as salaries or wages, unless additional staff are required to facilitate the funded event, in which case this may be considered
• Programs located outside the Northern Territory, and program outcomes which do not directly benefit the Northern Territory veteran community
• Other items that the panel assesses as not meeting the aims and objectives of the grants

Eligibility

Funding is available to organisations only. To be eligible for funding, an organisation must:

• Be physically located and actively operating in the NT; if physically located and actively operating outside of the NT, the organisation must partner with an NT organisation
• Have completed all required information in the application form and submitted required documentation in support of the application
• Have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• Have public liability insurance of at least $10 million
• Be registered for Goods and Services Tax if the organisation earns $75,000 or more per year

Types of organisations eligible for funding include:

• Organisations based in the Northern Territory, or with a Northern Territory representative (either a for-profit or not-for-profit business)
• Not-for-profit and/or charitable incorporated community organisations
• Other incorporated, not-for-profit and/or charitable organisations or trusts where a proposed project meets the grant program criteria

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through GrantsNT: https://grantsnt.nt.gov.au/

Prior to submitting an application, applicants are recommended to read the grant guidelines, and if required, discuss their project with the Veterans Engagement and Support team within the Department of People, Sport and Culture (DPSC) by emailing dpsc.veterans@nt.gov.au.

The following supporting document is available for this opportunity:

• CEO Approved - Veteran Community Grant Guidelines 2026-27.pdf