Purpose Of Our Grants

We support initiatives that maximise the agency and improve the quality of life for women and their families experiencing challenging circumstances.

We do this primarily by distributing two grants annually to two bold, often smaller, nonprofit organisations striving to do outstanding work for their beneficiaries.

Our members vote to select the two major grant recipients out of six finalist organisations, with each of the four runner-up nonprofits receiving smaller grants of equal value.

Melbourne Women’s Foundation uses the term “women” to include all women and non-binary people.

$1,474,000

Awarded in grants since 2014

Our Granting Approach

Our process is characterised by interaction and engagement. We strive to be responsive and relevant to our community, emphasising collaboration and integrity.

Our key beneficiary group is women or women and their families in need who are located in the Greater Melbourne region. We welcome applications for funding the work of organisations focusing on men, if the intended outcomes are for the direct benefit for our key beneficiary group.

Throughout our grants round process, our Grants Committee strives for:

1

Inclusivity and diversity amongst committee perspectives

2

Rigorous due diligence while maintaining confidentiality

3

Member learning and development

4

Democratic selection of finalists

We seek the input of members, nonprofits and our wider community to identify the most pressing challenges facing women and families in need and prioritise our granting focus areas.

2026

Changemaker

Grants Round

2026 CHANGEMAKER GRANTS ROUND NOW CLOSED

This year we invited applications for our two major grants:

$80,000 Capacity Building Grant (funding for a specific initiative)
$45,000 Enabling Grant (untied—use the funds where they are most needed)

For information on the 2026 Changemaker Grants Round please refer to:

Any queries please contact us [email protected]

DGR & TCC

Organisation endorsed as an Item 1 Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR1) and a Tax Concession Charity (TCC).

Priority Beneficiaries

Our priority beneficiary group is women and their families in need who are located in the Greater Melbourne region.

Initiatives that work with participants other than women are eligible, providing the intended outcomes are for the full benefit our priority beneficiaries.

Other Criteria

Other eligibility criteria apply, such as Finalists from the previous year’s grant round to wait a year before applying again, organisation size limits, and ACNC reporting to be up to date at the time of applying.

JULY

Applications Open

6 July – 2026 Grants Announced

14 July – Applications open

16 July, 4pm – Grant Information Session Register here

The Capacity Building Grant round will be a two-stage process (EOI accepted, then Full Application by invitation).

The Enabling Grant will be untied and a one-stage application.

JULY & AUGUST

Applications Received

30 July – Capacity Building Grant EOI closes.

13 August – Enabling Grant Applications close.

26 August – 9 September – Selected Capacity Building applicants invited to submit a Full Application.

OCTOBER

Changemaker Finalists Notified

Three Finalists from the Enabling Grant category and three Finalists from the Capacity Building Grant category will be invited to present to MWF voting members at our Changemaker Awards in November.

12 NOVEMBER

Changemaker Awards

Six Finalists showcase their organisations and their funding need, and our 2025/2026 financial year members vote on the distribution of the grants.

This is a valuable opportunity for members, guests and finalists to come together to learn and connect.

Full information for our 2026 grants round will be published 6 July 2026.

Grants