Funding up to $5 million annually across South Australia supports multicultural community infrastructure projects, creating inclusive spaces that strengthen cultural connections, participation and lasting benefits.
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What is the Multicultural Community Fund (MCF)?
The Multicultural Community Fund supports the development and improvement of community infrastructure for South Australia’s culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Funding will prioritise those most in need of support to build and strengthen their community connections. The fund supports projects such as:
- New builds – constructing new facilities
- Upgrades and extensions – major renovations, redevelopments or extensions to existing community facilities
- Outdoor spaces – developing or upgrading owned and secured outdoor community or cultural spaces.
The program has a two-stage application process:
- Stage 1 – Expression of Interest: Submit a short online form through SmartyGrants outlining the project, community need, expected benefits, funding request and co-contribution.
- Stage 2 – Full Application: Shortlisted applicants are invited to submit a detailed application with supporting evidence of project readiness, costs, governance and long-term sustainability.
Multicultural Community Fund level of support
Funding amount
- Minimum grant amount: No fixed minimum is specified.
- Maximum grant amount: No fixed maximum is specified.
- Total funding pool: $20 million over four years.
- Annual funding allocation: Up to $5 million per year from 2025–26 to 2028–29.
- Minimum total project value: Must exceed $100,000, excluding GST.
- Grant amounts reflect the project’s stage, proposed activities, scale, organisational capacity and available funding.
- Applicants must explain the amount requested and how the funding will be used.
- Funding requests should be supported by quotations, professional estimates or other cost evidence where possible.
- Successful applicants may receive less than the amount requested.
Co-contribution
- A financial contribution towards the project budget is required.
- No minimum dollar amount or percentage is prescribed.
- Contributions are assessed against project scale, complexity, total budget and the organisation’s size, experience and capacity.
- Contributions may include the organisation’s own funds, other secured grants, donations, fundraising income and partner funding.
- In-kind support may also contribute, including professional services, volunteer time and donated materials.
- Contributions must be supported by financial statements, commitment letters, contracts or other evidence assigning a financial value.
- Higher levels of financial commitment may strengthen an application’s competitiveness.
- Previous project expenditure may support the value-for-money case, but applicants must demonstrate an additional contribution towards the proposed work.
- Project budgets must include a contingency allowance of 10% to 20%, funded by the organisation.
- The grant will not cover contingency costs, cost overruns or budget shortfalls.
Multicultural Community Fund objectives
The fund aims to:
- Address gaps and unmet infrastructure needs within multicultural communities.
- Create inclusive and accessible venues for cultural celebration and community connection.
- Strengthen community capability to lead, deliver and manage infrastructure projects.
- Increase access to community facilities.
- Encourage social interaction among people of different ages and backgrounds.
- Strengthen connections within communities.
- Improve equity, inclusion and cohesion across South Australian communities.
Projects and expenditure eligible for Multicultural Community Fund support
Project requirements
- Projects must be located and delivered in South Australia.
- Total project value must exceed $100,000, excluding GST.
- Applicants must explain how the location maximises community use, access and participation.
- Facilities must be used solely or predominantly by culturally and linguistically diverse communities for community activities.
- Projects must demonstrate alignment with the fund’s objectives.
- Projects do not need to be construction-ready to apply.
- Funding requests must match the demonstrated readiness of both the project and the organisation.
Eligible infrastructure projects
- Construction of new multicultural community facilities.
- Significant renovations, refurbishments or extensions to existing owned community facilities.
- Development or upgrading of owned and secured outdoor community or cultural spaces.
- Projects involving leased assets where the applicant has an affiliation or formal relationship with the owner and at least 25 years remaining on the lease.
- Land or building acquisition packaged with a confirmed development project that demonstrates readiness to deliver.
- Acquisition proposals must address the feasibility of both the property and the proposed development.
Stage 1: Early planning and feasibility
Funding may support:
- Feasibility studies.
- Business case development.
- Preliminary financial, legal or technical advice.
- Community consultation.
- Engagement of professional consultants.
- Exploration of site options and project viability.
Stage 2: Concept design and project planning
Funding may support:
- Concept designs and layout plans.
- Cost estimates prepared by qualified professionals.
- Project planning.
- Site and technical investigations.
- Professional consultant fees.
Stage 3: Detailed design and delivery preparation
Funding may support:
- Detailed architectural and engineering designs.
- Planning and development approvals.
- Procurement preparation.
- Project management planning.
- Technical and professional studies.
Stage 4: Construction or acquisition
Funding may support:
- Construction of new facilities.
- Upgrading or refurbishment of existing facilities.
- Eligible land or building acquisition.
- Fit-out, equipment and furnishings required for the facility and integral to the project.
Eligible project expenditure
- Architects, engineers, project managers and project-related legal or financial advisers.
- Business cases, designs, plans, specifications and other project documentation.
- Surveys, site testing, feasibility studies and due diligence.
- Construction, internal works, fixtures and fittings integral to the project.
- Internal staff costs directly related to managing the project.
- Statutory fees and development or building approval costs.
- Eligible land or building purchases associated with a confirmed development project.
Ineligible projects and expenditure
Funding will not support:
- Contingency allowances or unknown costs.
- Projects involving heritage-listed sites or buildings.
- Leased assets without the required relationship with the owner and qualifying long-term lease.
- Routine maintenance.
- Professional services unrelated to infrastructure delivery.
- Minor repairs, renovations or upgrades that do not improve access to infrastructure.
- Replacement of a functional roof where the work does not improve infrastructure access.
- Routine operating costs, including rent, utilities, insurance, wages and consumables.
- Loose equipment, furniture or appliances that are not integral to the project.
- Retrospective costs or reimbursement of expenditure already incurred.
- Events, celebrations, activities or festivals.
- Costs unrelated to the proposed project.
- Projects that do not support the fund’s objectives.
- Projects with a primarily educational purpose, such as community language schools.
- Projects with a primarily religious purpose.
- Religious or political advocacy that does not advance an inclusive and cohesive society.
Other Multicultural Community Fund important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Multicultural Community Fund support
Eligible applicants
- South Australian local councils.
- Incorporated not-for-profit multicultural community organisations.
- Australian public companies limited by guarantee with a primary purpose of supporting multicultural communities.
Applicants must:
- Be based in South Australia.
- Hold an Australian Business Number.
- Have a bank account in the organisation’s name.
- Meet the relevant organisational eligibility requirements.
- Have a core purpose of delivering initiatives, services or support for culturally and linguistically diverse communities, where applying as a multicultural organisation.
- Have a registered South Australian business address.
- Be listed as operating in South Australia if registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.
Council and joint applications
- Council proposals must demonstrate priority use by multicultural communities.
- Councils should involve eligible multicultural organisations through a memorandum of understanding where possible.
- Eligible organisations may submit joint, consortium or auspice applications.
- A lead applicant must be nominated to manage the project and grant agreement.
- Partnerships must document each organisation’s roles, responsibilities and contributions.
- Under an auspice arrangement, the eligible auspicing organisation enters the agreement and receives the funding.
- One application will be accepted per eligible organisation.
Ineligible applicants
- Individuals and sole traders.
- Unincorporated associations.
- State or federal government agencies or bodies.
- For-profit companies.
- Individual partners applying on behalf of partnerships.
- Incorporated trustees applying on behalf of trusts.
- Organisations with outstanding acquittals for Multicultural Affairs grants.
- Educational institutions and related bodies.
- Schools, community language schools, universities and childcare centres.
- Organisations primarily advancing religious or political advocacy that is not aligned with inclusion.
Multicultural Community Fund assessment criteria
Applications are assessed against three weighted criteria, considering project impact, strategic value, and legacy and sustainability.
Criterion – Percentage
1. Project Impact – 40%
- Demonstrate how the project addresses a gap in existing infrastructure or an identified community need.
- Explain why the proposed location is suitable and how it increases infrastructure capacity where needed.
- Describe the multicultural community profile and the number of people expected to benefit.
- Show how the facility will improve access, participation and opportunities for community connection.
- Provide evidence of support from relevant stakeholders and intended users.
- Establish clear benefits for multicultural communities through consultation, data, reports or other supporting evidence.
2. Strategic Value – 30%
- Demonstrate organisational readiness to undertake and manage a project of the proposed size and type.
- Show how the project builds community capability and delivers value for money.
- Explain how the facility will strengthen connections within and between community groups.
- Identify the expected social, cultural and economic benefits.
- Demonstrate financial viability through realistic cost estimates, a supported budget and confirmed contributions.
- Explain how partnerships contribute to planning, development and future use.
- Show that the project scope and timing are realistic.
- Provide evidence that governance, experience and professional support match the proposed project stage.
3. Legacy and Sustainability – 30%
- Explain the positive and lasting legacy the project will create for the community.
- Demonstrate how the facility will be maintained and operated over the long term.
- Show how it will continue providing services and opportunities for multicultural communities.
- Identify support and resources beyond State Government funding.
- Demonstrate the ability to sustain operations without ongoing government support.
- Address potential environmental, social and cultural impacts.
- Show that the project will avoid adverse impacts during delivery and over its operating life.
Assessment process
- Expressions of interest are checked for eligibility, completeness and alignment with the fund.
- Eligible proposals are assessed against the criteria and key considerations.
- An assessment panel compares the relative strengths of eligible applications.
- Recommendations consider a balanced distribution across regions, multicultural communities and project types.
- Existing funding commitments and program priorities are also considered.
- All applicants are notified of their outcome in writing.
- Funding decisions are final, with no appeal process.
- Unsuccessful applicants may contact the fund team for feedback.
- Meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee funding.
How do I get the Multicultural Community Fund support?
Applicants should demonstrate:
- A clear infrastructure gap supported by community consultation and evidence.
- Strong alignment with the fund’s objectives and multicultural community priorities.
- A suitable location that maximises access, participation and community use.
- A realistic project scope matched to the organisation’s capability and current project stage.
- Measurable cultural, social and community benefits.
- Support from intended users, local councils and relevant partners.
- A justified funding request supported by quotations or professional cost estimates.
- An evidenced co-contribution towards the proposed work.
- A budget that includes an organisation-funded contingency allowance.
- Appropriate governance, decision-making and financial oversight.
- Access to qualified professionals and suitable project management support.
- A practical approach to approvals, procurement, compliance and risk management.
- A credible plan for maintaining and operating the facility over the long term.
- Capacity to meet milestone, reporting and acquittal obligations.
Information to prepare for the Multicultural Community Fund support
Expression of interest information
- Organisation name, Australian Business Number and key contact details.
- Description of the infrastructure gap and community need.
- Project type, proposed users and intended use.
- Current project stage and work completed to date.
- Expected cultural, social and economic benefits.
- Explanation of the project’s long-term value.
- Estimated total project cost.
- Amount of funding requested.
- Details and evidence of the proposed co-contribution.
Mandatory expression of interest documents
- Organisation constitution or governing document.
- Most recent Annual General Meeting minutes from within the past two years.
- President’s and Treasurer’s reports and details of the election of members.
- Current insurance Certificates of Currency.
- Financial statements showing assets, income and expenditure for the past three financial years.
Full application information
- Detailed project description and multicultural community profile.
- Existing facilities, proposed development, planned activities and anticipated users.
- Partnerships and support from stakeholders, organisations and councils.
- Proposed site, reasons for its selection and evidence of site viability, where known.
- Site address, council area, zoning and approvals already obtained.
- Expected users, frequency of use and community benefits.
- Evidence substantiating need and anticipated social, cultural and economic outcomes.
- Long-term maintenance, operating arrangements and financial sustainability.
- Current project readiness and supporting planning documents.
- Project team, governance arrangements and decision-making processes.
- Relevant delivery experience and professional support.
- Risk management arrangements and required approvals or licences.
- Procurement strategy, tendering approach and professional qualifications.
- Detailed budget, other funding sources and proposed use of grant funding.
- Contingency allowance of 10% to 20%, funded by the organisation.
Supporting documents appropriate to the project stage
- Community consultation records, surveys, research and supporting reports.
- Business case and project brief.
- Letters of support from user groups, councils or government representatives.
- Technical reports and compliance documents.
- Project plan and delivery schedule.
- Site plans, floor plans and photographs.
- Scope of works.
- Cash flow forecasts or an operational plan.
- Evidence of ownership, such as a certificate of title, council or rates notice, or deed of trust.
- Lease documents and evidence of the required relationship with the property owner, where relevant.
- Project management and risk management plans.
- Statutory approvals.
- Design brief, concept designs and detailed drawings.
- Procurement plan and tender proposals.
- Professional fee proposals, quotations and contractual documents.
- Evidence confirming financial and in-kind contributions.
Applying for the Multicultural Community Fund support
Applications are submitted online through SmartyGrants.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Multicultural Community Fund resources
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