Quick Response Grants are available on a monthly basis from February to November, with all applications being competitively assessed at the end of each month. The grant amounts vary, with individuals able to apply for up to $3000 and organisations up to $5000, though there is no minimum grant amount. It’s important to note that there is a limited funding pool, so accurate budgeting is crucial to ensure you are only applying for the amount you truly need.

These grants are designed to assist with urgent needs that may arise unexpectedly. This includes opportunities such as professional development, skills development, and small projects that require immediate attention.

Projects funded by the Quick Response Grants must begin within 2–12 weeks of the closing date of the round in which the application is made. Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their applications no later than 5 business days after the end of each month’s assessment.

If your project involves working with children, you must provide details of your Working with Children (WWC) check. Additionally, you will need to complete an online accreditation with Child Wise, which costs $121 per person. This requirement can be met by one member of your project team, and the cost may be included in your project budget. Credentials must be submitted to RANSW before receiving the grant funding.

For projects involving vulnerable persons, every member of the project team must obtain an Australian Federal Police (AFP) Check, which costs $42 per person. This cost can also be included in the project budget.

Applications open at 12:00AM on the first day of the month and close at 11:59PM on the last day of the month, every month from February to November. 

Applications are assessed at the conclusion of each monthly round and you will be notified of the outcome within 5 business days of the closing date. 

When the grant round is open, the button below will take you to the Regional Arts Australia online application system. If you have not used SmartyGrants before you will need to set up an account. This account and password can be used to go back to your application at any time and will be the same for any other grants you might apply for in the future using the SmartyGrants system. Your application will be available to you until you click SUBMIT, or the closing date is reached.

Please contact RANSW at funding@regionalartsnsw.com.au or phone 9270 2500 before applying.

Applicants with accessibility requirements can request an alternative format submission to assit them in submitting their application. Please contact the Funding & Development Manager for more information.

Only organisations or individuals based in the Modified Monash Model areas MM 2 – MM 7 are eligible to apply. To check your eligibility, please refer to the Regional Arts Fund Eligibility Map.

To be eligible to apply for a grant, you must meet the following Eligibility Requirements:

• have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) that is registered to your name and location;
• be located in Regional or Remote Australia (MM2-MM7), meaning the postcode for the main business location registered for
  your ABN must be in Regional or Remote Australia;
• if required by the Australian Taxation Office, be registered for the purposes of GST; and
• not have any outstanding reports, acquittals or serious breaches relating to any Australian Government funding or funding from a state or territory Regional Program Administrator. A serious breach is one that has resulted in, or warrants, the termination of a grant agreement.

In addition to meeting the Eligibility Requirements you must also be one of the following types of Eligible Entity:

• an individual over 18;
• an Australian incorporated organisation (for example, an incorporated association, a company limited by guarantee, an
  Indigenous corporation, a proprietary limited company or a cooperative) that can provide evidence of non-profit status; or
• a local government organisation.

The following entities are not eligible to apply:

• a for profit company (including proprietary limited companies and cooperatives that cannot provide evidence of non-profit status)
• individuals operating through a trust or partnership
• an Australian Government or state government entity (except for schools in very remote areas (MM7);
• a Regional Program Administrator or a Regional Program Administrator employee directly involved in the delivery of the Regional Arts Fund;
• for Quick Response Grants, an individual, or organisation who has already received a Regional Arts Fund Quick Response Grant in the same financial year;

Applicants under the age of 18 must be auspiced by a person over the age of 18 or organisation that meets the eligibility criteria. Unincorporated groups (a group of persons who agree to act together as an organisation and form an association, but whose association is not recognised as a separate legal entity from its members) may be auspiced by an organisation that meets the eligibility criteria.

To help you prepare your application, you can download the following: 

Quick Response Grants Application 

Quick Response Grants Budget

As well as being a short notice and unplanned opportunity, your activity must commence within 2-12 weeks from the closing date of the grant round. Activities must be completed within 12 months of commencement date. QRG are not intended to fund larger projects that have been unsuccessful in other funding rounds, or support activities that have missed other funding opportunities due to lack of planning.

For detailed information regarding eligibility, please see RAF Eligibility  and RAF Guidelines.

You can also read a plain english summary of the Regional Arts Fund Quick Response Grants here.

If you have any enquiries, please contact the Funding & Development Manager at Regional Arts NSW.

Phone: 02 9270 2500

Email: funding@regionalartsnsw.com.au