The Veterans SA Capacity Building Grant Fund offers support to eligible organisations to help them improve their governance and strengthen their capacity building skills.
Applicants can seek grants of up to $7,000 (ex GST) for projects that improve governance, strengthen capacity building skills, and enhance their ability to lead, support and advocate for veteran communities across South Australia.
A maximum of $50,000 (ex GST) in grant funding is available for distribution in the 2025-2026 financial year.
Examples of eligible projects include:
- leadership and governance training for board or committee members
- temporary project staff salaries or consultant costs to assist in developing a plan or strategy (e.g. strategic plan, communication/social media strategy)
- training and skills development (e.g. grant writing, volunteer management, financial management, mental health first aid and suicide prevention initiatives, military or service cultural awareness)
- development of digital tools, such as a website or app, to improve the service accessibility to the community
- professional mediation services for members
- purchase of equipment that supports service delivery or community engagement (e.g. portable marquees, audio-visual equipment, tools for community projects).
How to apply
Applications for the 2025-26 grant round are now open.
Applications close at 5.00pm (ACST) on 15 May 2026 unless funds are exhausted prior to this date. Applications will be assessed as they are received.
Please read the Veterans SA Capacity Building Grant Fund guidelines prior to submitting an application.
For further information contact:
Veterans SA
(08) 7133 9333, Option 1
vsafundapplications@sa.gov.au
Eligibility criteria
Organisations are eligible to apply if they are:
- Non-government, not-for-profit and:
- incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act 1985; or
- a Statutory Authority established through an Act; or
- registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission.
In addition, applicant organisations must:
- have an active, registered ABN
- have met all requirements for any previous grants received from Veterans SA, such as acquitting or reporting on grants.
Organisations not meeting these requirements, such as unincorporated organisations, may apply through an auspice arrangement with a lead organisation which meets eligibility requirements.
An auspice organisation is an eligible entity that manages the grant on behalf of another group; it receives the funds and is legally responsible for delivering the project as agreed.
Applications submitted under an auspice arrangement must include a letter from the auspice organisation confirming that the arrangement is valid and current.
Alternative funding opportunities
The Veterans SA website provides information about several veteran-specific grant funds available through State and Commonwealth governments.
Check with your local council to see if your project aligns with any of its grant programs.
The Government of South Australia has a number of grant opportunities for communities, clubs and individuals.
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs also offers a number of grants to commemorate Australia’s wartime heritage and to support organisations to deliver advocacy services, projects and activities for veterans and their families.
2024 – 2025 Funding Round Recipients
| Applicant | Funding Amount | Project Description |
| Defence Kidz | $5,000.00 | Redevelopment of website |
| Macclesfield RSL | $2,100.00 | Provide mental health first aid training |
| Warfrets Australia Inc | $3,089.00 | Develop and host website, and provide training to assist outreach support |
2023 – 2024 Funding Round Recipients
| Applicant | Funding Amount | Project Description |
|---|---|---|
| Walk for a Veteran | $4,924.00 | Upskilling – social media and web design |
| Vietnam Veterans’ Federation | $4,400.00 | Purchase of laptops for computer training |
| RSL-SA for Veteran Sailing SA | $5,000.00 | Deliver skipper and sailing instructor training for veterans |
| Operation Unity – FOVA | $1,765.00 | Provide training to improve governance practices and procedures |
| Eyes Front – Home Post | $4,500.00 | Communication and social media strategy – branding, logos, guidelines, templates, strategic plan |
| Royal Australian Regiment | $1,400.00 | Registration for member to attend National Suicide Prevention Conference 2024 |
| Operation Unity – FOVA | $1,635.00 | Preparation and building of website |
2022 – 2023 Funding Round Recipients
| Applicant | Funding Amount | Project Description |
|---|---|---|
| Trojan’s Trek | $1,913 | Facilitator Accreditation – Annual staff training & accreditation |
| Frontline Yoga | $5,000 | Instructor Training – Deliver Trauma Aware Teacher Training to upskill yoga teachers to deliver classes to meet needs of the SA veteran community |
| Defence Shed Port Adelaide | $4,770 | Marketing – Create a website & provide Mental Health First Aid Training for committee members |
| Saltwater Veterans | $5,000 | Training Courses – Build instructor talent pool to facilitate future programs to allow the organisation to become self-sufficient |
| RSL Blackwood | $5,000 | Live Music in the Hills – Engagement of consultant to develop business plan & multi media strategy |
2021-2022 Funding Round Recipients
| Applicant | Funding Amount | Project Description |
|---|---|---|
| RSL Mt Barker Sub-Branch | $3,000 | Update website to make simple & user friendly for community |
| Saltwater Veterans | $5,000 | Program to ensure Saltwater Veterans has instructor talent pool to avoid needing to outsource training requirements |
| Defence Force Welfare Association | $2,995 | Digital Marketing Advanced Certificate – upskilling for new committee members |
