Five Current Grantmaking Trends in Australia - 2025
- Michelle at Mphatic
- Aug 27
- 4 min read
The competitive grantmaking landscape in Australia continues to evolve. Not surprisingly, growing demand for finite funding resources means that applicants need to be razor-focused on the quality of their submissions. Understanding current trends in grantmaking and incorporating these into submissions will add to the competitiveness of your application.
Here are five key trends in grantmaking in 2025, together with some practical ways to incorporate these trends in your applications:
Policy-driven momentum and structural reform
Government funding is increasingly tied to national / state / local priorities, such as healthcare strategy, environmental strategy, and Buy Local. In Western Australia, the Waterwise Perth Action Plan aligns with both the State and Federal Government sustainability strategies, helping communities to adapt to climate challenges and improve long-term resiliance. And in the area of health and health research, strategic policy focus areas set the direction for new grant opportunities, opening doors for researchers with particular skills, solutions and ideas.
Making direct reference to underlying Government strategies and mapping your project to specific frameworks that are related to your own project is an excellent way of demonstrating relevance and longevity in any grant application, regardless of area or industry.
And for those grants which are directly linked or related to policy direction, it is even more important to address how your project will solve or address the underlying aims of the grant or the interests of the grantmaker. Lotterywest, for example, encourages projects that align with federal or state priorities, particularly around social inclusion and sustainability.
Tips to ensure alignment in your applications:
map your project to specific policy frameworks.
repeat the same language used by Government in strategic policy frameworks and announcements.
clearly state how your project will deliver systemic, long-term change.
Collaborative and cross-sector partnerships
Funders are increasingly rewarding applications that demonstrate collaboration across sectors, for example not-for-profits working with universities, businesses or agencies. Partnerships can bring greater efficiencies, innovation and reach, while also de-risking projects and deliverables.
The Western Australian Alliance to End Homelessness brings together government agencies, service providers, business, universities and not-for-profits to address homelessness through a coordinated, systematic approach with funding received by Governments and Lotterywest (via Shelter WA) demonstrably delivering results with community-wide benefits and multi-partner involvement.
Tips to ensure alignment in your applications:
include letters of support and MOUs with partner organisations.
clearly articulate the shared benefits of working together.
show how the partnership helps scale or replicate the project and its outcomes.
Impact measurement and transparency
More and more, funders are demanding evidence of impact. Tangible evidence of what changed as a result of the funding matters, and shows that you are a trusted partner with strong reporting systems and governance controls.
Some funders have specific requirements and impact reporting expectations with structured information / formats, including expenditure reconciliations. Others are less formalised, but it remains best-practice to provide timely, tangible evidence of what was achieved with granted funds. Expenditure overruns and other unanticipated challenges should be communicated quickly and clearly with funders so that changes to deliverables, funding amounts or timelines can be agreed in advance - a "no-suprises" mindset is the best way to ensure relationships and projects remain on track for longer-term success.
Tips to ensure alignment in your applications:
Understand impact / reporting expectations of the funder before applying, and reference these in your application.
Outline and explain your own evaluation framework - what you will measure, and how - to evidence your own reporting and governance structures.
Balance data with compelling "real-life" stories, including testimonials if possible.
Trust-based, community-led philanthropy There's a growing trend towards trust-based giving that is more flexible, especially for grassroots and First-Nations led organisations. Funders are looking for authentic community leadership. For example, the Wungening Aboriginal Corporation's community-led model has attracted strong support from Government and private philanthropic Foundations, with programs which are designed and led by Aboriginal communities. Additionally, Minderoo Foundation has supported community-led and Indigenous initiatives in Western Australia, focusing on trust and long-term outcomes. The takeaway here is that grant opportunities shouldn't lead your direction - the project comes first, and suitable grant opportunities second.
Tips to ensure alignment in your applications:
Highlight co-design processes with community members.
Demonstrate community legitimacy, eg advisory groups.
Combine data with storytelling techniques to reflect lived experience.
Technology, sustainability and equity
Funding priorities are shifting towards projects that embrace innovation, climate-conscious practices, and equity. This reflects a focus on many of the points discussed above - projects which are aligned with strategic priorities, that can be delivered efficiently, and which offer social and community benefit are in demand.
Even if your project doesn't have a direct focus on sustainability or technology, funders will want to see these considerations built in.
New examples of grant opportunities in this area continue to emerge. For example, Minderoo Foundation has a strong focus on innovation and equity and rewards projects that bring digital tools and technologies to disadvantaged groups, for example.
Tips to ensure alignment in your applications:
Show how technology makes your project more efficient, accessible or scalable.
Highlight how you are reducing your environmental footprint.
Explain how your work reduces barriers for underrepresented or marginialised groups.
Final Thoughts - Writing Competitive Grant Applications in 2025
To be successful, applications need to:
Frame projects in the context of national / state / local priorities and reforms.
Embed collaboration and partnerships.
Be clear about measurable outcomes and impact.
Focus on authenticity.
Weave in innovation, sustainability and equity.
Funders are looking for more than a good idea - they're looking for projects that demonstrate relevance, legitimacy, and the ability to create lasting change. By aligning to these trends, you'll not only strengthen your applications but you'll also build deeper and more trusting relationships with funders.