About the fund
The Emergency Relief Fund helps Knox not-for-profit community organisations provide urgent, essential support to residents experiencing hardship or crisis.
We assess applications each month. To apply, your organisation must be a member of the Knox Emergency Relief Network.
Organisations can apply for up to $10,000 per financial year. You can submit multiple applications, but the total funding your organisation receives cannot exceed $10,000.
You must complete funded activities and spend the grant within 5 months of receiving the funding.
Applications remain open until all available funding has been allocated.
What can be funded
The fund can help cover urgent and essential needs, including:
- food and groceries
- bedding and blankets
- clothing and personal care items
- vouchers for essential goods and services
- medicines and health essentials.
Activities must provide a clear benefit to Knox residents.
What can't be funded
Funding can't be used for:
- regular operational or core business expenses
- infrastructure, fixed assets or equipment
- fundraising activities
- grants to individuals or third parties
- activities better suited to another Council grant program
- activities or expenses that started before Council approval.
Before you apply
Before applying, please read the Emergency Relief Fund Guidelines 2026–27 for full information about eligibility, funding requirements and the application process.
Who can apply
Applicants must:
- be a member of the Knox Emergency Relief Network
- be a not-for-profit legal organisation based in Knox or deliver the funded activity in Knox
- an incorporated organisation or partner with an eligible organisation to manage the grant on your behalf (known as an auspice)
- hold appropriate public liability insurance
- have completed all reporting and acquittal requirements for previous Council grants
- have no outstanding debts to Council.
How to apply
You can apply for the Emergency Relief Fund online. Council will consider your application at a Council meeting and let you know the outcome afterwards.
Key dates
You must start your activity after the relevant Council meeting. We won’t fund activities that have already started.
We may ask you for more information or defer your application to the next Council meeting.
If we allocate all available funding before May 2027, we’ll close the program to new applications.
| Submission deadline | Council meeting date |
|---|---|
| 20 November 2026, 5 pm | 14 December 2026 |
| 10 January 2027 | 8 February 2027 |
| 7 February 2027 | 9 March 2027 |
| 7 March 2027 | 12 April 2027 |
| 11 April 2027 | 10 May 2027 |
Acquittal
If your application is successful, you must submit an acquittal through SmartyGrants within 2 weeks of completing the funded activity. You must explain what you achieved and how you spent the funding.
Need help?
Call the Community Grants Team on 9298 8000 or email [email protected].
We aim to respond to grant enquiries within 3 business days.
