Apply for a Grant

What could you make happen with a Wayahead grant?

Grant applications are closed

Making grants accessible for everyone

The Small Grant Program is open to community groups, not-for-profit organisations, schools, local services, and grassroots initiatives across NSW. Applicants must be able to deliver a Mental Health Month project or event during October in line with the annual theme.

Applications for the 2026 Small Grant Program are not yet open

Wayahead team

Assessment and Judging Process

Grant applications are assessed by an independent judging panel comprising mental health experts, sector professionals, and individuals with lived or professional experience working with specific communities, including Youth, LGBTQIA+, CALD, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Wayahead staff do not participate in the assessment or decision-making process.

Applications are assessed against the following criteria:

  • Innovation and creativity

  • Community reach and engagement
  • Feasibility and planning

  • Alignment with the Mental Health Month theme

  • involvement of people with lived experience of mental ill-health and/or people from marginalised groups in the planning and implementation of the project

Eligibility Checklist

Before applying, please ensure that:

  • Your organisation, group, or initiative is based in NSW or delivers services to NSW communities

  • You are a community group, not-for-profit organisation, school, or local service

  • Your proposed project or event will be delivered during Mental Health Month (October)

  • Your activity aligns with the Mental Health Month theme

  • You have the capacity to plan and deliver the project or event within the required timeframe

  • You can provide formal invoicing documentation (e.g. tax invoice or equivalent) to receive grant funds

  • You have a nominated contact person responsible for managing the grant

You do not need prior experience running Mental Health Month events or professional grant-writing skills to apply.

Not eligible:

  • The funding request is for ongoing operational costs (e.g. rent, wages, utilities)

  • The funding is used to profit your organisation/group/community.

  • Your organisation/group or initiative is not based on NSW

Grant categories you can apply for

Please find below all the grant categories that Wayahead offer. When grant applications are open simply click on the Apply button under each grant to start your application.

Please be aware that the grant application forms do not have a save function. We suggest drafting your responses in a separate document and then transferring them to the form. If you have any inquiries or require alternative methods for submitting your application, feel free to contact us.

If you’re looking to apply for a grant, you can view all the application questions associated with each grant here.

General Grant

The General Grant category encourages individuals, groups or organisations to propose projects or events that promote mental health awareness and dialogue. It supports initiatives aligned with the theme, providing funding and partnering with Wayahead to enhance their impact within communities.
Apply Here

Youth Grant

The Youth Grant category invites young people, individuals, youth-focused groups or organisations to propose projects or events promoting mental health awareness among peers during Mental Health Month. Recipients align with the theme and partner with Wayahead to amplify the impact of their initiatives within communities.
Apply Here

LGBTQIA+ Grant

The LGBTQIA+ Grant category welcomes individuals, groups or organisations focusing on LGBTQIA+ to propose projects or events promoting mental health awareness and support within the community. Recipients align their initiatives with the theme and partner with Wayahead to enhance the impact of their efforts.
Apply Here

CALD Grant

The Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Grant category encourages individuals, groups or organisations addressing CALD communities to propose projects or events promoting mental health awareness and support. Recipients align their initiatives with the theme and partner with Wayahead to enhance the impact of their events.
Apply Here

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Grant

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Grant category welcomes individuals, groups or organisations focusing on Indigenous communities to propose projects or events promoting mental health awareness and support. Recipients align their initiatives with the theme and partner with Wayahead to support the impact of their efforts within these communities.

Apply Here

Grant Applications close June 6th