$250,000 to change lives: From veterans to vulnerable kids and endangered wildlife

Sophie McIntosh

Twenty community organisations across Australia will share in more than $250,000 in funding from the Smartgroup Foundation’s 2026 grants program.
The successful applicants have each been awarded grants between $5,000 and $15,000 to support projects delivering tangible environmental and social impact across one or more of the Foundation’s three key focus areas:

These projects support Smart’s three-year sustainability strategy, An Empowered Future, and its commitment to creating meaningful long-term environmental and social impact and improving financial wellbeing.
The Smartgroup Foundation was established in 2019 by ASX-listed employee services business, Smartgroup Corporation Ltd. Today, Smart is Australia’s leading salary packaging and novated leasing company, and a trusted vehicle fleet partner to organisations across the country. Through easy-to-access benefits, Smart helps more than 500,000 Australian workers across the government, health, education, not-for-profit and corporate sectors to stretch their salary further.
Sophie MacIntosh, Chair of the Smartgroup Foundation, said the calibre of this year’s applications was extremely high, with the assessment committee selecting 20 projects addressing a diverse range of issues and supporting communities across Australia.
“The applications we received ranged from nature-based projects to programs improving accessibility and financial wellbeing for disadvantaged groups, as well as increasing access to education and employment, and supporting health and wellbeing initiatives,” Ms MacIntosh said.
Since its establishment, the Foundation has awarded $1.75 million to more than 140 community projects across Australia.
“Across Australia, volunteers and grassroots community organisations are working to build a better future for people and the planet, and we are proud to support their efforts through the Smartgroup Foundation,” Ms MacIntosh said.
“This year we are investing in projects that will create lasting social impact. These include initiatives supporting the education and wellbeing of young First Nations people, giving more veterans access to service animals and improving access to crisis support for survivors of domestic and family violence.
“Grants have also been awarded to initiatives helping to protect and restore our natural environment for future generations, including planting new forests in the suburbs of Canberra and Western Australia, and conserving endangered flora and fauna in Queensland and Tasmania.”
Grants have been awarded in every state and territory, reflecting the Foundation’s commitment to supporting diverse communities and causes nationwide.
“Supporting the communities where we live and work is incredibly important to everyone at Smart. Each year, our grant recipients impress us with their commitment and ingenuity. These organisations understand the needs of their communities and are turning local ideas into practical initiatives that can create lasting change,” Ms MacIntosh said.
The recipients of the 2026 Smartgroup Foundation grants are:
Organisation
State
Project
350 Australia
VIC
Oceania Rising: This program seeks to equip young Indigenous and Pacific Islanders with the skills and resources to lead local environmental restoration through a three-day residential camp, online workshops, and grants for restoration or education projects in the participants’ own communities.
Australian Indigenous Education Foundation
NSW
AIEF pathways support: AIEF scholarship students and alumni will be supported to transition from education to further study, training or employment. Students participate in a range of career development activities that build transferrable skills, attend regional conference-style events and can access internships, work placements, industry site visits and networking.
Cerebral Palsy Alliance
NSW/ ACT
Early response therapy for babies at risk of cerebral palsy: This early intervention program provides access to specialist physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech pathology for babies at risk of cerebral palsy, and coaching and capacity building for parents.
Cire Services
VIC
Industry explorers at Cire Community School: Across all Cire campuses, senior secondary school students with a history of disengaging from mainstream education, trauma, financial hardship, or family instability will participate in structured industry exposure and employer visits, alongside a tailored work-related skills and personal development program. 
Ear Foundation Australia (Otitis Media Group)
WA
Earbus outreach program - Port Hedland: The project will support the continued delivery of the Earbus program, providing early, culturally safe care for Aboriginal and at-risk children in the East Pilbara, where there are high rates of middle-ear disease and hearing loss.
Environment Tasmania
TAS
Endangered giant freshwater crayfish - citizen science monitoring: Community volunteers will be trained and cameras installed to monitor water quality and help conserve the world’s largest freshwater invertebrate, the Astacopsis gouldi - an endangered species which lives only in the rivers of Tasmania.
Foodbank of South Australia
NT
Fresh food relief - fruit, veg & bread for Alice Springs: The grant will allow Foodbank SA & NT to purchase and distribute 15,000 kilograms of fresh fruit, vegetables and bread through its Alice Springs Food Hub, ensuring vulnerable community members, schools and agencies can access free, nutritious food.
Forrest Beach Surf Life Saving Club
QLD
Starfish Nippers – inclusive surf participation program: Modified surf lifesaving equipment and uniforms will be purchased to enable children and young people with disabilities to participate in a modified surf lifesaving program, developing beach and water safety awareness, confidence and skills.
Friends with Dignity
QLD
Sanctuaries program: The grant will support individuals or families fleeing family and domestic violence by funding the purchase of essential household items like beds, whitegoods, linen and kitchenware to furnish temporary or longer-term accommodation.
Integra Service Dogs Australia
NSW
Service dogs for veterans or first responders with PTSD: The grant will enable more veterans and first responders with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to be matched with a professionally trained service dog, reducing the time spent on the waiting list.
Junction Australia
SA
Shared Paths: This program aims to provide lived-experience peer mentoring for children in residential care, using relatable, positive role modelling by young adults with out-of-home care experience. The initiative seeks to create opportunities for belonging, connection, wellbeing and confidence.
Microforest Collective
ACT
Griffith microforest: This community-led project will establish a native microforest on public land at Blaxland Park, Griffith, providing habitat for wildlife, cooling the local microclimate and providing a shared green space for the community.
Refugee Legal Service (TAS)
TAS
Language support for Tasmania’s refugee community: The grant will help fund external interpreting and translating services for Tasmania’s refugee community, enabling them to seek pro bono legal support to progress asylum claims, bring family to safety in Australia or escape family violence.
SisterWorks
VIC
EmpowerHer - Customer service training and employment pathways for migrant women: This 9-week term-based program at the Carlton North Empowerment Hub will equip women from refugee, asylum-seeking and migrant backgrounds with real-world skills in customer service, confidence and the support needed to secure and maintain employment.
The Royal Women's Hospital (the Women's)
VIC
The Healthy Mum, Healthy Baby Initiative: The grant will provide practical, immediate support for participants of the Women’s Cornelia program. This support will include access to  social workers, grocery vouchers and essential vitamins for pregnant women and new mothers experiencing homelessness.
The University of Queensland
QLD
Conservation of the critically endangered Swamp Daisy: This grant will support the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) and university team to collect genetic material and develop tissue culture methods to propagate new plants, helping protect and restore this critically endangered native species.
Trillion Trees Australia
WA
Environmentally sustainable nursery operations: This grant will fund the purchase of an electric mini-loader to help volunteers move soil more safely and efficiently, supporting the organisation to scale its nursery operations and sustainably grow around 210,000 local native plants in 2027.
UnitingCare Queensland
QLD
Gold Coast homelessness health nurse: This project delivers primary healthcare and outreach to people experiencing homelessness or living rough who face barriers to accessing mainstream services, including those living with complex physical or mental health conditions, or drug and alcohol issues. 
Wombat's Wish
VIC
Grief support for parentally bereaved children: The Weekend Grief Program will provide early intervention grief support and deliver one-to-one counselling to Victorian children and young people who have experienced the death of a parent or primary carer. The support will help them to understand their grief, develop healthy coping strategies and build resilience.
Women and Children First
NSW
The Frontline Crisis Fund: The grant will provide caseworkers with immediate and flexible access to funds to support women and children escaping domestic and family violence, helping cover the cost of urgent needs including emergency accommodation, home security, relocation, transport, healthcare, food and other essentials.
 
For more information on the Smartgroup Foundation, visit smartgroup.com.au/about-us/smartgroup-foundation