Up to $225,000 to support projects that test or scale new ways of working that improve the timeliness or efficiency of financial counselling service delivery.
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What is the Financial Counselling Innovation Grants?
The Financial Counselling Innovation Grants aim to fund projects that test or scale new ways of working to improve the timeliness or efficiency of financial counselling service delivery. The program recognises that innovation comes from clever ideas or improved approaches that add value to the financial counselling sector in Australia.
Two streams are available:
1. Seed Innovation Grants
- Designed for testing new service delivery ideas or piloting innovative approaches.
- Ideal for organisations seeking to explore, prototype, or pilot a new model or digital tool before broader implementation.
2. Scaling-Up Innovation Grants
- For expanding or refining proven innovations.
- Suitable for organisations that have shown success in a pilot phase and are now ready for broader rollout, reaching more people and increasing service efficiency on a larger scale.
Financial Counselling Innovation Grants level of support
Minimum and Maximum Funding
- Seed Grants: Up to $75,000 over a maximum of 12 months
- Scaling-Up Grants: Up to $225,000 over a maximum of 24 months
Co-Contribution
- No co-contribution requirement is specified within the program guidelines.
Financial Counselling Innovation Grants important dates
- Expressions of Interest Close: 28 April 2025 (by 5 pm AET)
- Notification of EOI Outcomes: 12 May 2025
- Full Applications Open: 12 May 2025
- Full Applications Close: 8 June 2025 (by 5 pm AET)
- Notification of Application Outcomes: 23 July 2025
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
Financial Counselling Innovation Grants objectives
Here are the following grant objectives:
- Enhance the efficiency and reduce the wait times for financial counselling services.
- Support innovative practices and ideas within financial counselling.
- Foster sector-wide benefits through replicable innovations.
- Strengthen the sustainability and responsiveness of the financial counselling sector.
Projects and expenditure eligible for Financial Counselling Innovation Grants support
Seed Innovation Grants eligible projects:
- Testing new concepts or service improvement ideas.
- Piloting new delivery models to enhance efficiency.
- Prototyping digital tools to streamline service provision.
- Exploring Artificial Intelligence tools for better case management.
- Researching and understanding emerging service delivery issues.
Scaling-Up Innovation Grants eligible projects:
- Expanding proven service models.
- Deploying successful digital tools more broadly.
- Scaling tested data-sharing systems.
Ineligible expenditure:
- Core operational costs and retrospective expenses.
- Projects with funding already secured from other sources.
- Academic research or degrees.
- Litigation, commercial activities, or profit-making initiatives.
- General awareness campaigns, political activities, or non-direct costs.
- Travel costs unless directly related to project delivery.
- Additional direct service delivery beyond the grant duration.
Other Financial Counselling Innovation Grants important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Financial Counselling Innovation Grants support
Eligible organisations:
- Organisations delivering financial counselling services in Australia via counsellors who are members of recognised financial counselling peak bodies or professional associations.
- Financial counselling peak bodies or professional associations.
- Government entities and private individuals are not eligible.
See the guidelines for full details of organisational requirements.
Financial Counselling Innovation Grants assessment criteria
Proposals will be assessed based on:
- Potential to significantly improve service timeliness and efficiency without compromising quality (40%).
- Innovation and creativity of the proposed approach (25%).
- Benefits delivered to the broader financial counselling sector (15%).
- Likelihood of successful achievement of intended outcomes (10%).
- Capability to deliver measurable impacts within the grant timeframe (5%).
- Strength and clarity of data-collection and evaluation plans (5%).
How do I get the Financial Counselling Innovation Grants?
- Check Eligibility: Ensure your organisation delivers financial counselling services in Australia and your project aligns with the goals of improving service efficiency and timeliness.
- Prepare Supporting Documentation: Develop a clear project plan, including a budget breakdown, timeline, and evidence of need.
- Submit Application: Lodge your Expression of Interest and, if invited, your Full Application through the official FCIF online grants management system before the closing date.
- Await Confirmation: Shortlisted applicants may be asked for further information or clarifications.
Information to prepare for the Financial Counselling Innovation Grants application
For the Expression of Interest:
- Project overview and objectives.
- Intended outcomes and anticipated impact.
For the Full Application (if invited):
- Detailed description of activities and deliverables.
- Comprehensive budget and milestone schedule.
- Clear evaluation framework and data collection methodology.
See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.
Applying for the Financial Counselling Innovation Grants
Applications must be submitted through the FCIF’s online grants management system, Blackbaud Grantmaking.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Financial Counselling Innovation Grants resources
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