If you run a not-for-profit organisation in Tasmania and you have been looking for a straightforward source of funding to support your local community, the TasNetworks Community Grants Program is worth a close look. TasNetworks, the company that owns and operates Tasmania’s electricity transmission and distribution network, runs this program each year to support not-for-profit groups working on projects that make a real difference to Tasmanian communities. This guide explains, in plain language, what the grant is, how much you could receive, who can apply, what the money can be used for and how to give your application the best possible chance.
What Is the TasNetworks Community Grants Program?
The TasNetworks Community Grants Program is an annual funding round offered directly by TasNetworks to not-for-profit organisations across Tasmania. Rather than being tied to the energy sector specifically, the program is designed broadly, supporting community projects that improve everyday life for Tasmanians. In its most recent completed round (2025), TasNetworks awarded 12 grants totalling $84,329, an average of just over $7,000 per successful project, which gives a realistic sense of the scale most applicants should expect.
Recent funded projects have included things like food relief initiatives, marine safety equipment for coastal communities, community gardens, tool libraries that let residents borrow equipment instead of buying it, and support for local volunteer programs. This gives a good indication of the type of grassroots, practical community work TasNetworks wants to back.
How Much Funding Is Available?
Each grant awarded through this program is capped at a maximum of $10,000. There is no published minimum grant size, so organisations with smaller, well-scoped projects are just as welcome to apply as those seeking funding closer to the cap. Based on the 2025 outcomes, the average successful grant was closer to $7,000, so applicants should think realistically about the actual cost of their project rather than assuming the full $10,000 is the norm.
TasNetworks has not published a fixed total pool of funding for the 2026 round on its public program page. Organisations planning an application should treat the $10,000 per-project cap as the figure to build a budget around, and should not assume a guaranteed total number of grants will be awarded, since that depends on the quality and number of applications received each year.
Who Qualifies for This Grant?
This program is open to not-for-profit organisations based in Tasmania. That is the core eligibility requirement stated on TasNetworks’ official program page. Suitable applicants would typically include incorporated community associations, registered charities, community groups, and similar not-for-profit bodies working on projects that benefit their local community.
Who Does NOT Qualify?
TasNetworks has not published a detailed, exhaustive list of ineligible applicant types on its public program page. What is clear from the program’s framing is that it is aimed squarely at not-for-profit organisations, so for-profit businesses and individuals seeking personal funding would not be considered a fit for this particular program. Beyond that, the full guidelines document available through the official application portal sets out the complete eligibility criteria, and any organisation unsure whether it qualifies should check that document, or confirm directly with TasNetworks, before spending time on a full application.
What Can the Funding Be Used For?
TasNetworks has grouped the kinds of projects it wants to support into four broad themes:
Projects that deliver meaningful cost-of-living relief to Tasmanians doing it tough, such as food relief programs or initiatives that reduce everyday household pressures.
Projects that build community resilience and connection, helping neighbourhoods and community groups become stronger and better networked.
Projects that support vulnerable or at-risk groups within the community, prioritising those who need assistance most.
Projects that offer a lasting, local impact rather than a short-term or one-off benefit.
Real examples from past rounds include food relief efforts, marine safety equipment for coastal and boating communities, community gardens that provide fresh produce and a shared community space, tool libraries that reduce the cost of home and garden maintenance for residents, and funding to support and coordinate local volunteers. If your project fits comfortably within one or more of these four themes and can point to a genuine, ongoing benefit for a Tasmanian community, it is likely to be a strong fit for this program.
Key Dates and Deadlines
The 2026 round of the TasNetworks Community Grants Program is open now. Applications close at midnight on Tuesday, 15 September 2026. TasNetworks has not published a separate outcome or notification date on its public program page, so applicants should plan on the assumption that the review and decision process happens after the September closing date, and should watch for direct communication from TasNetworks regarding the outcome of their application.
Given the deadline, not-for-profits interested in applying should not leave the process to the last minute. Grant application forms often take longer to complete properly than expected, particularly if you need supporting documents, quotes or sign-off from a management committee.
Documents Applicants May Need
While TasNetworks has not published an exhaustive checklist on its public program page, not-for-profit organisations applying for a grant like this should generally be ready to provide:
Evidence of the organisation’s not-for-profit or incorporated status, such as an incorporation certificate or constitution.
A clear project description, including what the funding will be used for and the community benefit it will deliver.
A project budget showing how the requested grant amount (up to $10,000) will be spent.
Details of who will run the project and how it will be delivered.
Any relevant supporting material, such as quotes for equipment or materials, letters of community support, or evidence of past project delivery if available.
Applicants should confirm the exact document requirements against the official guidelines available through the TasNetworks application portal before submitting, since specific requirements can vary from round to round.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One of the most common mistakes not-for-profits make with a grant like this is applying for a project that does not clearly align with one of the four funding themes: cost-of-living relief, community resilience and connection, support for vulnerable or at-risk groups, or lasting local impact. Assessors are looking for a clear, obvious fit, so it pays to explicitly connect your project back to one or more of these themes in your application rather than assuming the connection is obvious.
Another common error is requesting the maximum $10,000 without a budget that clearly justifies that amount. Since the average grant awarded in 2025 was closer to $7,000, applicants should size their request to the genuine cost of their project rather than defaulting to the cap.
A third mistake is underselling the ongoing or lasting impact of a project. TasNetworks has explicitly flagged “lasting, local impact” as one of its four priority themes, so a project framed as a one-off event with no ongoing community benefit is likely to be less competitive than one that demonstrates how the benefit continues well after the grant is spent.
Finally, missing the September closing date, or submitting an incomplete application close to the deadline, is an entirely avoidable way to miss out. Starting early leaves room to gather documents, get committee sign-off, and review the application before it is due.
How Competitive Is This Grant?
With 12 grants awarded in the 2025 round, this is a genuinely achievable program for a well-prepared not-for-profit, but it is not a program that funds every applicant. Because there is no separate minimum grant size and the program welcomes smaller, well-scoped requests as readily as larger ones, organisations with modest, clearly justified projects have a realistic chance alongside larger applicants. The key differentiator, based on TasNetworks’ own stated priorities, is a strong, obvious fit with the four funding themes and a clear, lasting community benefit, rather than simply the size of the organisation applying.
What to Prepare Before Applying
Before starting your application, it is worth taking the time to clearly define the community need your project addresses, identify which of TasNetworks’ four funding themes it best fits, and put together a realistic budget. Have your organisation’s not-for-profit documentation ready, and think through how you will demonstrate the ongoing value of the project once the grant funding itself has been spent. Applications are submitted through TasNetworks’ online SmartyGrants portal, so setting up an account ahead of time, rather than on the day you plan to submit, is a simple way to avoid last-minute technical delays.
Related Funding Options for Tasmanian Not-for-Profits
If the TasNetworks Community Grants Program is not the right fit for your organisation, or if you would like to build a broader funding strategy rather than relying on a single grant, it is worth exploring other Tasmania-focused and not-for-profit funding options. Grants Assist maintains detailed, regularly updated guides covering Tasmanian business and community grants, broader not-for-profit grants across Australia, and community development grant programs that may complement or extend the kind of project you have in mind. If you are new to the grant application process generally, our guide on what funders look for in your grant application is a useful starting point before you submit anywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can we apply for through the TasNetworks Community Grants Program?
Grants are capped at a maximum of $10,000 per project. There is no stated minimum, so smaller, well-justified requests are welcome.
Who can apply for a TasNetworks Community Grant?
Not-for-profit organisations based in Tasmania. TasNetworks has not published a full list of ineligible applicant types beyond this, so organisations unsure of their eligibility should check the official guidelines before applying.
When do applications close?
The 2026 round closes at midnight on Tuesday, 15 September 2026.
What kind of projects does TasNetworks want to fund?
Projects that deliver cost-of-living relief, build community resilience and connection, support vulnerable or at-risk groups, or offer a lasting, local impact. Past examples include food relief, marine safety equipment, community gardens, tool libraries, and volunteer support initiatives.
How do we apply?
Applications are submitted online through TasNetworks’ SmartyGrants application portal, linked from the official TasNetworks Community Grants Program page.
Keep Exploring Your Funding Options
Want to keep exploring your options? Grants Assist’s online portal gives you access to detailed, regularly updated information on grants and assistance programs across Australia. Explore the Grants Assist portal to browse more programs like this one, or call us on 1300-005-999 to speak with one of our advisors.
