Our funding is distributed to over 100 different worthy causes, providing vital community services to Brisbane’s most vulnerable neighbours.
If you are a small Brisbane charity providing grassroots programs or initiatives, you can apply for one of our grants.
The LMCT has refreshed its grants program to assist charities by providing a clearer, more consistent annual structure and longer time frames to apply for a grant.
These changes come into effect from 1 April, when we will introduce the LMCT Local Impact Grant. These grants will have a quarterly application window with funding of up to $12,500 available per grant. We will continue to offer two specialised grants for Easter and Christmas.
Please see the below updated grant application schedule for the remainder of 2026, which details the applications dates and estimated outcome dates for charities.
The LMCT provides a range of grants throughout the year to support charities delivering meaningful outcomes for communities. If your organisation has an urgent unforeseen community need that falls outside of the above standard grant round calendar, you may be considered for an Urgent Response Grant.
Supports emergent needs outside the regular grant cycle, reserved for exceptional circumstances only. Please reach out to LMCT@Brisbane.qld.gov.au and we will guide you through the steps required.
Before applying, charities should:
The below FAQs provide additional guidance on governance, funding limits, timing and repeat application rules.
The LMCT Local Impact Grant supports community projects and charitable initiatives that deliver a direct benefit to the Brisbane community. Grants of up to $12,500 per organisation per quarter are available.
Ratepayers have the option to generously support charities of Brisbane by donating their $15 early rates discount to the LMCT. These contributions, combined with funds raised separately by the LMCT, enable the regular distribution of funding throughout the year and support a wide range of community initiatives. Examples of ratepayer funded projects can be found in our LMCT Annual Reports.
In exceptional circumstances, the board of directors may consider supporting a Major Impact Grant. These grants support larger‑scale projects that deliver significant community benefit. Charities must first contact the Secretariat to discuss their proposal with a complete overview of the project. If supported by the Board, the charity will be invited to submit a formal application.
Organisations may submit one application per grant round (quarter). Applications can be lodged at any time within the three month period leading up to the quarterly closing date, with all submissions assessed together at the end of each round.
To be eligible to apply, organisations must not have any outstanding acquittals from previous grants. They also cannot reapply for funding for the same project if a previous grant for that project is still active or awaiting acquittal, even if the acquittal is not yet due.
Provided the above conditions are met, organisations can have applications in place for specialist rounds such as Easter or Christmas, at the same time as an active Local Impact Grant.
If your organisation has an urgent funding need that falls outside the Local Impact Grant timeframes, you may be considered for an Urgent Response Grant. Please contact LMCT@Brisbane.qld.gov.au. The team will guide you through whether an alternative process may be appropriate.
Grassroots charities or activities are typically small, community‑based initiatives that deliver direct, local impact. From time-to-time, larger charities are best placed to deliver these initiatives and may be considered if the project itself is grassroots in nature and benefits the Brisbane community.
To submit an application, organisations must:
The LMCT website includes guidance and tools to help charities prepare before applying, including eligibility criteria and required documentation
If your organisation does not currently meet the eligibility criteria (for example, it does not hold DGR status), you will not be eligible to apply. Organisations without DGR status may wish to explore registration with the Australian Charities and Not‑for‑profits Commission (ACNC) and the Australian Taxation Office. If you are unsure whether your organisation meets the eligibility criteria, or would like guidance before applying, you are encouraged to contact the LMCT Secretariat for clarification.
A Letter of Intention is a required document that must be uploaded with your grant application and provides acknowledgement that your organisation is committed to delivering the project or activity in Brisbane or for clients that reside in the Brisbane LGA. Should your organisation be located outside of this catchment, however operate within Brisbane LGA, it is vital this letter specifies the areas of operation.
Applications must include a clear, itemised list of all project costs. This should show how funds allocated from the LMCT will be used. This helps the Board of Directors to understand where the funding is clearly intended to go.
Quotes must be uploaded and should support the listed costs. Each budgeted item should clearly align with the project described in your application. If a quote is not available for a particular item at the time of application, a realistic estimate may be provided, with a clear explanation. Any estimated costs will need to be supported by evidence when the grant is acquitted. All expenditure must directly relate to the approved project and comply with the eligibility criteria.
Ineligible costs generally include day‑to‑day operational expenses and internal staffing costs. This includes, but is not limited to, paying for administration, rent, utilities, labour/wages or overheads (including marketing or website costs).
For example, if a charity delivers a food program for people facing food insecurity, LMCT funding can go towards the food for this program but cannot be used to pay the staff member’s wages to deliver the program.
Applicants should refer to the eligibility criteria and contact the LMCT Secretariat if they are unsure whether a cost is eligible.
Audited financial statements are statements that have been independently reviewed by a qualified auditor. The LMCT Board requires ACNC classified medium and large organisations to provide their latest audited financial statements. Charities classified as small by the ACNC, must have operated for the full year and supply their latest financial statements, even if they are not audited.
No. There are no changes to the application platform.
Charities will continue to access the application link via the LMCT website and submit their application through SmartyGrants, using the same system and process as before.
Based on guidance from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), grants are generally not subject to GST where they are not considered a payment for a supply. As an ancillary fund, LMCT grants do not require your organisation to provide goods, services, or any other obligation in return, and are therefore typically GST‑free.
For confirmation or further details specific to your organisation’s circumstances, please refer to the ATO’s guidance on Grants and sponsorships for not‑for‑profits or seek independent financial or tax advice.
All funding must be spent in line with the approved application and fully accounted for through the acquittal process, through the provision of receipts for all expenditure.
Sometimes a project comes in under budget and there are unspent funds. If these unspent funds total $100 or less, this amount must still be reported in the acquittal, however, does not need to be returned to the Trust. Any underspend must be clearly explained, and all funds must have been used in accordance with the eligibility criteria and the purpose outlined in the original application. If your unspent funding comes to over $100, please follow the appropriate steps as listed on the acquittal form for return.
For example, if your charity is approved for $12,500 to purchase ingredients for food parcels for vulnerable residents, but upon completion of the program your submitted receipts total $12,450 in eligible expenses, the $50 underspend is not required to be returned to the Trust. However, receipts must be provided for the full $12,450 expended.
If an acquittal does not sufficiently demonstrate how the funds were spent or expenditure is outside of the supported application, the charity may be required to return any unacquitted funds to the Trust.
Unfortunately, the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust cannot provide direct assistance to individuals or organisations that do not hold DGR 1 status. This page is intended for charities applying for grant funding. While we can’t provide direct support, we’re happy to help guide you towards organisations that may be able to assist using this directory.