Multicultural Connect Grants Program

The Multicultural Connect Grants Program (MCGP) is an annual, open competitive grants program that provides matched funding for community-led capital infrastructure projects like building or upgrading facilities for multicultural groups. The program recognises the diverse needs of multicultural populations and emphasises inclusivity and support for communities to thrive.

For the purposes of this program, the term ‘multicultural’ and ‘culturally and linguistically diverse’ refers to people from migrant and refugee backgrounds, people seeking asylum, and Australian South Sea Islander peoples.

Program objective

The objective of the MCGP is to support the development of permanent, inclusive community spaces, including community halls, meeting spaces and hubs, or sporting facilities, that address the cultural, social, and service needs of Queenslanders from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, to enhance community infrastructure, promote cross-cultural understanding, and strengthen social cohesion.

Capital infrastructure projects

Grants for capital infrastructure projects will be available through annual funding rounds. The funding round is now open for projects to be delivered from 1 July 2026.

Funding available

The Queensland Government has announced a total of $5 million over four years for the Multicultural Connect Grants Program. A total of $1,250,000 is available for the 2025-26 round.

One-off funding of up to $500,000 (GST exclusive) is available for building or upgrading multicultural facilities, including community halls, meeting spaces and hubs, or sporting facilities.

Funding will be provided through milestone grant payments which will be linked to the receipt and approval of quarterly progress reports with five (5) percent provided on the execution of the funding agreement and five (5) percent on the receipt and approval of the final Acquittal Report.

Applicant contribution

Applicants are required to contribute towards the project and must make a cash contribution that is equal to the grant amount being sought.

Applicants will be required to provide evidence they have secured the matched funding to deliver the project.

Applicant eligibility

You are eligible to apply if you are a:

• Not-for-profit/charitable organisation legally registered in Australia and
  • have a registered and active Australian Business Number (ABN)
  • are an organisation based in Queensland
  • have no overdue reports, service delivery or performance issues for funding provided by MAQ.
• Local government body constituted under the Local Government Act 2009 and
  • are based in Queensland
  • engage with one or more multicultural organisations in delivering the project
  • have no overdue reports, service delivery or performance issues for funding provided by MAQ.

Application Process

The application process will have two stages:

• Stage 1: Expression of Interest (EOI)
• Stage 2: Full application for successful shortlisted EOI applicants

Only successful shortlisted stage 1 applicants will be invited to progress to stage 2.

Key dates for the current round of funding:

All applicants will be advised of the outcome of their applications by email.

2025–26 Capital infrastructure Projects

One-off grants are available for projects to be delivered from 1 July 2026 and completed no later than 30 June 2028.

How to apply

1. Ensure you:

• carefully read the 2025-26 MCGP Funding Guidelines for Capital Infrastructure Projects (PDF, 569 KB) for information and eligibility, what you’ll need to apply, and what you need to do if you’re successful.
• read the Funding Agreement General Terms (PDF, 325 KB) and the Funded Activity Particulars for terms and conditions (PDF, 153 KB)
• review the Expression of Interest (EOI) form as soon as possible to make sure you know what you need to submit.
• review the sample reporting templates
  • Capital Infrastructure Project quarterly report (PDF, 139 KB)
  • Capital Infrastructure Project final acquittal Report (PDF, 165 KB)

2. Apply online through SmartyGrants

To ensure everyone has the opportunity to apply, we accept applications in your preferred language. If you plan to submit your application in a language other than English, please email us at funding@maq.qld.gov.au for further information.

SmartyGrants will automatically close at 11.59pm on the closing dates for both stages and will not allow applications past this time to ensure fairness to all applicants. Please ensure you allow adequate time to submit your application.

Need help?

For more information about applying online, read the SmartyGrants – Help Guide for Applicants.

If you’ve read the guidelines and still have questions or need more information about the program, you can email funding@maq.qld.gov.au.

If you need help with your SmartyGrants account, you can contact SmartyGrants Technical Support on (03) 9320 6888 or service@smartygrants.com.au. Support desk hours are 9am to 5pm AEST, Monday to Friday.

The Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ) can also help you with your application. Visit their website for information on upcoming education workshops and to access their Online Learning Hub for courses and resources.

Successful applicants

If your Stage 2 application is successful, you will have eight (8) weeks from the time you are notified to provide all of the following and be shovel-ready to start delivering your project from 1 July 2026:

• copies of all permits, approvals and relevant insurances in accordance with relevant legislation that will be required to complete the project
• evidence of your matching cash contribution for the project, through a recent bank statement or an Accountant Declaration
• a final detailed project plan including timeline, milestones and budget
• evidence that only contractors licensed by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission are engaged to undertake works related to the project
• a minimum of two written quotes for works required.

Successful applicants will also need to:

• enter into a funding agreement which comprises of the approval letter, Funding Agreement General Terms, Funded Activity Particulars, and the submitted application.
• comply with any relevant laws and regulations in the delivery of the project, and any other relevant insurance as may be required
• hold public liability insurance to the value of not less than $10 million that covers the project
• acknowledge the Queensland Government funding with the use of the Queensland Government crest on all promotional material associated with the funded project
• submit relevant online forms, including the Quarterly Progress Reports and a final Acquittal Report by the due dates
• submit an online Variation Request Form to request approval for any changes to the project (e.g. funded activities or dates)
• immediately inform MAQ of any delays with the funded project via email to funding@maq.qld.gov.au

Other information and programs

Community facilities and venues for hire

For organisations that don’t have access to their own facilities, local venue hire may be an option for hosting activities. A list of suggestions has been compiled to help locate venues for hire in your community.

Multicultural events

Funding for multicultural events is available under the Celebrating Multicultural Queensland (CMQ) program. Please visit the CMQ webpage for more information.

Multicultural projects

Funding for multicultural projects is available under the Strengthening Communities Multicultural Grants (SCMG) program. Please visit the SCMG webpage for more information.