Grant guidelines
About the program
The GBK Healthy Communities Program, funded by the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA), aims to strengthen the health, wellbeing and connectedness of communities across the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area (NPA).
The program provides funding to support local groups, clubs, and organisations to deliver activities that promote healthy, active, and culturally strong communities.
The 2025–2028 grants framework introduces new opportunities for local access and innovation, ensuring that every community has access to funding and support.
Program objectives
-Support healthy lifestyles and wellbeing across all communities.
-Strengthen community leadership, participation, and capacity to deliver local programs.
-Encourage culturally grounded health, sport, and wellbeing initiatives.
-Foster collaboration between local groups, councils, and regional organisations.
Types of grants available
General regional grants
Open to all Torres Strait and NPA communities.
Regional grants support larger initiatives that bring people together to stay healthy, active, and connected.
Grants between $5,000 and $20,000 are available.
Targeted community grants
Each community across the Torres Strait and NPA has its own funding allocation, ensuring fair access and local decision-making. These grants support projects based on local priorities like sport, wellbeing, art, gardening, and cultural activities.
Grants between $2,000 and $5,000 are available.
Who can apply?
To be eligible, applicants must:
Be a Torres Strait Islander or Aboriginal organisation, community group, sporting club, or local council located in the Torres Strait or NPA.
Demonstrate community support for the activity.
Have or be willing to establish an ABN (or be auspiced by an organisation that does).
Agree to comply with GBK funding agreement conditions, including reporting and acquittal requirements.
Eligibility
Applications for multiple communities
Organisations can apply for funding for one or more communities, but must show that each community supports the project AND how the activity will deliver benefits in each place where funding is requested.
Where an organisation applies for multiple communities, the application should clearly show:
The budget breakdown for each community
The local partners or people involved in delivering activities
How the project will make sure funding is shared fairly and benefits are spread locally.
Priority will be given to projects that involve local collaboration and genuine participation from each community listed in the application.
What we can fund
Projects must support the program objectives and focus on getting people active, connected and involved in community life.
Grants can be used for:
Sporting and active lifestyle programs that encourage participation, inclusion and teamwork
Healthy eating and nutrition projects, such as community gardens, cooking classes or healthy food workshops.
Mental health and social wellbeing activities, including men’s and women’s groups, youth initiatives or peer support networks.
Cultural wellbeing programs that connect health to culture, language, art or traditional practice.
Community-led learning and capacity building, such as short training sessions, mentoring or events that build confidence and skills.
What we cannot fund
Grants cannot be used for:
Activities for commercial profit or private gain.
Retrospective costs or reimbursement for past projects
Purchase of vehicles or land.
Excessive catering (more than 10% of total budget).
Repayment of debts or loans.
Projects that duplicate existing funded programs in the same area.