National Volunteer Week Grants

Celebrating WA volunteering

Supported by Lotterywest, the National Volunteer Week Grants offer volunteer-involving organisations across Western Australia the opportunity to apply for a grant to organise an event or activity which recognises and thanks volunteers during National Volunteer Week (Monday 18 – Sunday 24 May 2026).

National Volunteer Week Grants

Supported by Lotterywest

Applications open 13 January to 5:00pm Friday 13 February 2026.

Grant Categories

Category 1 – Single organisations may submit one application for up to $1,500.

Category 2 – Large organisations with multiple branches may choose to submit one application covering up to five (5) locations. This can include one (1) location NOR Perth metro, one (1) location SOR Perth metro and up to three (3) regional locations that are more than 50km apart. The large organisation can apply for up to $500 per branch taking part, up to a maximum of $2,500 if five (5) branches take part.

If you are a branch of a large organisation, we ask you please check with your Head Office first to coordinate and clarify who will submit the application on behalf of your organisation.

Category 3 – Multiple organisations: One (1) lead organisation may collaborate with up to four (4) other local organisations to hold a large joint community event. Each organisation must provide a confirmation letter on their own letterhead to confirm their intention to work together (a template is provided on the Volunteering WA website for use) as part of the application process.

The lead organisation agrees to collate all the information, submit the application, manage all financial aspects of the event and complete the acquittal process on behalf of the others. The lead organisation can apply for up to $1,000 per organisation taking part, up to a maximum of $5,000 if five (5) organisations take part. It is expected that the event taking place in this category would be a large event open to all local community members, with an emphasis on celebrating volunteering and National Volunteer Week.

Eligibility

Read the Grant Guidelines for eligibility, conditions of funding, and terms and conditions.

We strongly encourage organisations that have not been the recipient of a National Volunteer Week grant before to apply, as well as those in regional/remote WA.

Funding may be used for event promotion and publicity, National Volunteer Week merchandise, transport, hire of equipment and/or venue, entertainment (e.g. hiring a band), food or non-alcoholic beverages and small recognition gifts.

Funding is not available for normal operational costs such as uniforms, training material or IT equipment. Project management costs should be covered by the organisation as a contribution towards the activity.

Applications

Applications for 2026 are now closed.

Applications for 2026 closed on 13 February, 2026. Applications will be considered by the Assessment Committee, and applicants will be notified of the outcome within four weeks of the closing date.

For any queries relating to the National Volunteer Week Grants, please contact Meg D’Souza.

Acknowledgement of Funders

Successful recipients of the 2026 National Volunteer Week Grants are required to acknowledge the support of Volunteering WA and Lotterywest throughout the funded activity, including in speeches, media releases, social media, brochures, leaflets, display, invitations, posters, certificates, websites.

 

  • 2024 Grant Recipient: Mandurah Performing Arts (Mark Labrow Photography)
  • 2025 Grant Recipient: Mandurah Filipino-Australian Multicultural Community
  • 2025 NVW Grant Recipient: Northam Town Teams Community Event

Previous Recipients

2025

Volunteering WA is delighted to announce that 233 volunteer-involving organisations shared in over $338,000 through this year’s National Volunteer Week Grants, thanks to Lotterywest support. The grants will support meaningful celebrations and recognition of volunteers across the state.

From the Kimberley to the Great Southern, funded events held during National Volunteer Week included:

  • A beachside event for Parks and Wildlife volunteers
  • A family movie night for the Apex Club of Geraldton volunteers
  • A storytelling session for City of Kwinana volunteers
  • A breakfast for Gelorup Bushfire Brigade volunteers

View 2025 National Volunteer Week Grant recipients (PDF)

 

2024

Throughout National Volunteer Week, over 253 WA volunteering organisations shared in over $335,000 through Volunteering WA’s National Volunteer Week Grants to celebrate and recognise their volunteers.
This year’s recipients span all the way from Wellstead to Derby, ensuring thousands of dedicated volunteers across the state are recognised for their contributions.
A huge thank you to our major supporter, Lotterywest, for their support in celebrating the contribution of WA’s volunteers.

View 2024 National Volunteer Week Grant recipients (PDF)

2023

From Broome in the north, to Esperance in the south, 179 organisations from across WA shared in $203,965 to help celebrate National Volunteer Week.

Funded by Lotterywest and administered by Volunteering WA the program offered small grants of up to $1000 to organisations to both acknowledge the contributions of their volunteers and help raise awareness of the benefits of volunteering.

This year, the grants helped to fund:

  • A ‘laughing yoga’ session for volunteers at Girl Guides WA;
  • A Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea Party to celebrate volunteers at the Lions Club of Rockingham; and
  •  A ‘Rainbow Volunteer Sundowner’ hosted by Busselton Pride Alliance, where volunteers from LGBTQ+ groups in the South-West can meet and mingle.

View 2023 National Volunteer Week Grant recipients (PDF)