Applications are now open for the 2025 Community Heritage Grants (CHG) program. The CHG program offers cash grants of up to $20,000 to community organisations. The grants support organisations to preserve and manage collections that have Australian cultural and historical significance.
Since 1994, the CHG program has provided over $9.3 million in funding to over 900 organisations for more than 1,700 projects nationally.
‘We know that small community groups are the custodians of collections that tell our national story. This program acknowledges the work of staff and volunteers and provides much-needed, long-term support,’ said Fiona Clarke, assistant director Collaboration Branch.
Last year, $443,787 was shared between 55 regional and community groups, including the Robin Boyd Foundation, Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand, Woorabinda Aboriginal Council, Fort Street Foundation, Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Archives of South Australia, Albany Historic Whaling Station, and many others.
Historical societies, regional museums, archives and galleries are invited to apply, including Indigenous and multicultural organisations. The grants enable groups to work with consultants to undertake significance assessments and preservation needs assessments and based on these reports, deliver preservation and conservation, collection management, and digitisation activities. Funding is also available for training workshops. Included at the end of this release are two case studies of how previous CHG recipients utilised their funding.
‘We encourage groups with nationally significant collections to learn more about the CHG journey and what it can offer their organisation. The CHG website and Guidelines is the first point of call, and the team is also here to discuss your application,’ Ms Clarke said.
New applications close midnight (AEST) on Thursday 8 May 2025. Previous CHG program recipients and proposals for training projects have an extended deadline, with applications closing on Tuesday 3 June 2025.
To find out more and apply visit https://www.library.gov.au/services/grants/community-heritage-grants
