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22 June 2026 | 2 min read
22 June 2026
$750,000 in community grants given to organisations across Australia
Grants to help communities to withstand and recover from natural disasters
Communities across Australia are still recovering from a run of floods, bushfires and cyclones - but some of the most critical recovery work isn’t happening where you might expect.
It’s happening in classrooms helping kids process trauma. On Country, strengthening fire response. In regional communities rescuing injured animals. And in conservation projects racing to protect habitat before the next disaster hits.
Today, NAB Foundation has announced $750,000 in grants to 27 grassroots organisations doing exactly that - backing the local groups that are often first to respond and last to leave when disaster strikes.
NAB Retail Executive Paul Carter said the scale and frequency of disasters is exposing gaps in how communities recover and prepare.
“Disasters don’t end when the headlines move on. For many communities, that’s when the hardest work begins,” Mr Carter said.
“These organisations are deeply embedded in their communities. They understand what’s needed on the ground and are stepping in to fill critical gaps in recovery and preparedness.”
Supporting Children Through Disaster
MacKillop Family Services is helping communities recover after bushfires by supporting children and young people through its Stormbirds program.
The $50,000 NAB Foundation grant will enable MacKillop to train around 50 local educators across Victoria’s Murrindindi, Mitchell and Goulburn regions, expanding access to structured, evidence- based programs that build resilience and emotional wellbeing in disaster‑prone communities.
“This support is transformative. It allows us to strengthen communities by building local capability and supporting children and young people when they need it most,” said MacKillop Family Services National Philanthropy and Strategic Giving Manager, Melissa Azzopardi.
For more information, visit MacKillop Family Services
Strengthening Fire Response and Caring for Country
In Western Australia’s Great Southern region, the Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar Aboriginal Corporation provides cultural guidance and land management expertise to protect and care for Country.
The NAB Foundation grant will help establish a trailer‑mounted fire response unit, including firefighting equipment, water tank and pump system, strengthening the organisation’s ability to respond to bushfires and support community safety.
“This funding means we can improve safety and emergency response, build skills, and strengthen our capacity to care for Country,” said Partnership and Programs Manager, Jim Atkinson.
For more information, visit Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar Aboriginal Corporation
Improving Animal Care in Disasters
Vets for Compassion is developing a new digital tool to improve how animals are cared for during emergencies, helping communities respond faster and more effectively when disasters strike.
The organisation will use the $50,000 NAB Foundation grant to support the development of a mobile app that allows the public to report injured wildlife and livestock, while helping response teams better coordinate rescue efforts, even in low‑connectivity environments.
“This support allows us to turn an idea into a practical tool that will improve how we respond to animals in need, while also supporting the safety and wellbeing of our volunteers,” said Vets for Compassion Operations Manager, Nicole de Haan.
For more information, visit Vets for Compassion
Protecting Palm Cockatoos and Their Habitat
People for Wildlife is working to protect one of Australia’s most iconic and endangered species, the palm cockatoo, by safeguarding and restoring critical breeding habitat.
In partnership with the Apudthama Land and Sea Rangers and Angkamuthi Traditional Custodians, the organisation is delivering landscape‑scale conservation, by undertaking traditional burning, habitat restoration and ongoing monitoring of nesting sites.
Ahead of the upcoming breeding season, the NAB Foundation grant will help protect existing nesting hollows from wildfire, create new artificial hollows, and strengthen long‑term habitat resilience.
“This support is crucial for protecting palm cockatoo habitat and ensuring these birds have a future. It helps us expand work that is already showing strong results on the ground,” said Executive Director, Daniel Natusch.
For more information, visit People for Wildlife.
Backing communities to be ready
NAB Foundation’s Community Grants program invests more than $1.2 million annually in projects that strengthen disaster resilience and recovery. Since 2021, 445 projects have received over $6.6 million in funding.
The program is part of NAB Ready Together, which supports customers, colleagues and communities to better prepare for and respond to natural disasters.
Applications for the next round of Community Grants will open in August 2026.
Community Grant Recipients by State:
NSW: Maclean District Business Chamber (Maclean), Mid Coast Outreach Incorporated (Wingham), Mogo Aboriginal Land Council (Mogo), Aboriginal Carbon Foundation (Bega), Schooltv Foundation of Australia (Taree), Gandangara Local Aboriginal Land Council (Heathcote), My Financial Future (Taree).
NT: The Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation (Katherine), Merrepen Arts (Daly River).
QLD: I've Got Your 6 Foundation (Townsville), Centre Against Domestic Abuse (CADA) (Morayfield), People For Wildlife (Northern Peninsula Area), Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation (Cairns North), Churches of Christ Housing Services (Kenmore), Forest View Childers (Childers).
SA: Fat Farmers (Loxton).
VIC: MacKillop Family Services (Seymour), Victoria State Emergency Service Castlemaine Unit (Castlemaine), National Trust of Australia (Carranballac), The IBE Foundation, Vets for Compassion Inc (Brighton), Westmere Group Fire Brigades (CFA) (Willaura), Greening Australia Ltd (Big Desert), Stella Prize Inc (Gellibrand), Terip Terip CFA (Terip Terip).
WA: Wuggubun Aboriginal Corporation (Wuggubun), Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar Aboriginal Corporation (Jackitup).
