Please note: to apply you must be registered in our application management system a minimum of two business days prior to the closing date
ACF Boost 2027
Key dates
Applications close: Monday 19 October 2026 at 12pm AEDT
Notification: Monday 14 December 2026
Contact
Website: australianculturalfund.org.au
Send us a question: hello@australianculturalfund.org.au
Book a time to ask your questions.
Image: Long Listen audience. Photo: Cynthia Lee
ACF Boost 2027: Information Session
Watch our briefing about the ACF Boost 2027 program. The briefing includes a walk-through of the application steps.
About the program
The Australian Cultural Fund (ACF), your local online fundraising platform, is here to ‘boost’ your fundraising! ACF Boost is our annual matched funding opportunity for individual artists, collectives, and organisations who want to fundraise from private sector support through their ACF campaign.
Successful ACF Boost participants will run a fundraising campaign for their arts and cultural project on the ACF platform between 1 February 2027 - 30 April 2027. The funds raised will receive a matched funding ‘boost’ of up to $5,000.
Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants must meet the ACF’s registration criteria:
- I am engaged in the promotion and presentation of arts and cultural activities
- I will use a grant from Creative Australia within Australia or for the benefit of Australia.
In addition, applicants must:
- be an Australian Citizen or permanent resident
- be aged 18 years or over
- have an active ABN and be prepared to receive project funds, or have an agreement in place with an auspicing body
- apply with a project that falls under at least one of the cultural forms as specified in the ITAA 97: literature, music, a performing art, a visual art, a craft, design, film, video, television, radio, community arts, arts or languages of Indigenous persons or movable cultural heritage
- be prepared and willing to run a fundraising campaign between 1 February 2027 - 30 April 2027.
You can’t apply if:
- you have outstanding acquittals with the ACF or Creative Australia
- you owe money to Creative Australia
- you are a 2026 AusArt Day matched funding recipient
- you/your organisation are successful for any of the following opportunities:
- Matched Funding for Artists and Artist Groups – Intermediate
- Matched Funding for Organisations – Beginner
- Matched Funding for Organisations – Advanced
- you were a 2026 ACF Boost participant
- you are a participant from the 2025/26 MATCH Lab or Plus1 programs
- your fundraising campaign offers material benefits, rewards, or incentives to donors.
Protocols
Please note that if children will be engaged as part of the funded activity, all successful applicants will need to implement the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.
Applicants working with First Nations artists, communities, or subject matter are required to adhere to the First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property Protocols published by Creative Australia as a condition of funding.
Program stages
Stage 1 | Applications open
Applications open: Monday 21 September 2026 at 12pm AEDT
Applications close: Monday 19 October 2026 at 12pm AEDT
To apply for ACF Boost, applicants will be required to have the following:
- ACF Artist Profile
- ACF Project submission with the Boost tickbox checked 'I would like this project to be considered for ACF Boost, a matched micro-grant program that is granted to artists and organisations using the ACF platform to fundraise for a project’
- a response to the additional questions on the project form:
- ‘What impact will $5k of matched funds have on your project, artistic practice, and/or fundraising capability?’
- ‘How will you/your team manage your time and resources to deliver the proposed fundraising campaign?’
Your application can be saved and edited at any time until the application deadline. Once submitted, you cannot make further edits or amendments.
The information you’ll need to provide in your application includes:
- your profile information (address, ABN, Artist/Group biography)
- information about your auspicing body (if applicable)
- details about the project you will be fundraising for
- a project budget including your ACF campaign target
- fundraising strategy and contingency strategy
- how ACF Boost matched funding would impact your project and ongoing artistic practice.
Stage 2 | Assessment
Applicants notified of the outcome of their submission: Monday 14 December 2026
Applications will be assessed by Creative Australia staff. Consideration is given to ensuring that successful applicants reflect a geographical spread across all states and territories, as well as a spread across art forms.
For more information on how we assess applications please visit our Assessment page.
The assessment process will consider:
Quality
Assessors will assess the quality of the artistic and cultural activities at the centre of your proposal. They may consider:
- demonstrated strategy to leverage matched funding as part of a wider fundraising campaign
- vision, ideas and artistic rationale
- a well communicated case for support.
Impact
Assessors will assess the impact of your proposal. They may consider:
- impact of ACF Boost funds on the proposed project
- impact of the project on ongoing artistic practice
- timeliness and relevance of the work.
Viability
Assessors will assess the viability of your proposal. They may consider:
- capacity to deliver the proposed ACF campaign
- skills and ability of artists, arts professionals, collaborators, or partners involved, and relevance to activity
- realistic and achievable planning and resource use, including fundraising and contingency plans.
Stage 3 | Fundraising
Fundraising campaign window: Between 1 February 2027 - 30 April 2027.
The ACF Team will make your fundraising campaign live on 1 February 2027, and it will close on 30 April 2027 at 11:59pm AEST. You choose within this window when you want to begin fundraising.
Funds you raise through your ACF campaign will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $5,000 per participant. As a keep-what-you-raise platform, we will match all eligible funds raised up to $5,000.
For example, if your target is $900 and you raise $3,000, we will match the $3,000. If your target is above $5,000, we will only match up to $5,000 of your total funds raised.
This program will match funds donated through the ACF from:
- individuals
- businesses
- trusts and foundations
This program will not match:
- business sponsorship
- in-kind support
- revenue from fundraising events
- bequests
- donations from the participant
- loans
- earned income (including membership, box office and non-deductible ticket expenses)
- local, state or federal government funding.
Please note that even though they may receive an ACF donation receipt for their gift, family members cannot claim a tax-deduction on their donation to an ACF campaign. It is the responsibility of the donor to ensure that any claim of tax-deductibility is compliant with the ATO’s rules on deductible gift recipients.
If your donors are unsure of their eligibility for tax deductibility via the ACF, they should contact the ATO directly to receive specific advice on the eligibility of their gift.
Stage 4 | Project Delivery
Projects can start any time from May 2027. Participants are expected to liaise regularly with the ACF Team and communicate any project changes or challenges. Any material changes to the funded project/activity must be approved by us in advance.
Stage 5 | Acquittal
Participants are required to report on the results of their campaign and project via the ACF’s online acquittal process. Acquittals are due 30 days after the submitted Project End Date.
The acquittal covers:
- final project budget including amount raised through ACF Boost campaign;
- assessment of the challenges and opportunities encountered through the campaign; and
- your experience using the ACF.
Before you submit your application, read these guidelines and FAQs thoroughly and contact the ACF Team with any questions.
Fundraising resources, general FAQs, and case studies are available on the ACF Blog, including our First Timers Kit which is full of great tips on how to get started with the ACF.
Application steps
- Log onto the ACF Portal. If you are new to the ACF, you will first need to register an Artist/Group Profile. Please allow 1-2 business days for your profile registration to be processed.
- Select ‘Create a new Project’ via the Artist Dashboard.
- Select ‘I want to run a fundraising campaign’.
- Fill out the project form by following the prompts.
- Once the project registration form is complete, select the tick box 'I would like this project to be considered for ACF Boost, a matched micro-grant program that is granted to artists and organisations using the ACF platform to fundraise for a project’.
- Complete the additional question ‘What impact would ACF Boost have on your project and your ongoing artistic practice?’
- Click ‘Submit & Launch’ to finalise the ACF Boost project submission.
Access
Please contact the ACF Team at hello@australianculturalfund.org.au if you need support to submit an application in another format.
Frequently asked questions
What is ACF Boost?
ACF Boost is the ACF’s annual matched funding opportunity for individual artists, collectives, and organisations who want to fundraise from private sector support through their ACF campaign. First-time fundraisers to those with previous fundraising experience are welcome to apply.
Successful ACF Boost participants will run a fundraising campaign for their arts and cultural project on the ACF platform between 1 February 2027 - 30 April 2027. The funds raised will receive a matched funding ‘boost’ of up to $5,000.
What are the program timelines?
Applications open: Monday 21 September 2026 at 12pm AEDT
Applications close: Monday 19 October 2026 at 12pm AEDT
Applicants notified of the outcome of their submission: Monday 14 December 2026
Fundraising campaign window: 1 February 2027 - 30 April 2027
ACF Grant payments distributed: mid-late May 2027
Projects commence: Any time from May 2027
Project Acquittal: Due 30 days after your submitted Project End Date
What arts and cultural activities can I fundraise for?
Projects must fall under at least one of the cultural forms as specified in the ITAA 97: literature, music, a performing art, a visual art, a craft, design, film, video, television, radio, community arts, arts or languages of Indigenous persons or movable cultural heritage.
The project activities must clearly relate to the specified cultural form. These can span activities such as producing, presentation, touring, research, etc.
What do you mean by ‘private sector support’?
Creative Australia uses the term private investment to mean financial and in-kind support secured from individuals, trusts, foundations, businesses and partners. It can also be defined as private sector support.
For the purposes of ACF Boost, we refer to ‘private sector support’ as income from non-government sources.
What is the difference between donations from businesses and business sponsorships?
Donations through the ACF are benevolent gifts as donors receive a tax-deductible receipt. You cannot offer material benefits or rewards in exchange for a donation as this would prevent the funds being a gift.
Business sponsorships/corporate partnerships typically involve the exchange of goods and/or services for a fee. Therefore, these arrangements are not benevolent and cannot be paid for via the ACF.
Will funds raised external to my ACF project be matched? Such as selling tickets to a fundraising event.
No, a donor cannot receive any material benefits in exchange for a donation. The ACF cannot receive donations (nor provide a deduction) where the donor or an associate obtains, or would be expected to obtain, any benefit or reward other than the benefit of a tax deduction. More information on this can be found on the ATO website.
For in-person events, we suggest generating a QR code which links directly to your ACF project to facilitate donations.
Can I offer rewards?
No. The ACF cannot receive donations (nor provide a deduction) where the donor or an associate obtains, or would be expected to obtain, any benefit other than the benefit of a tax deduction.
A gift is defined as arising from ‘benefaction’. A donor cannot receive any tangible benefit in return for their gift or expect or oblige the artist to give them a benefit. An ACF artist cannot offer a benefit as an incentive to donate.
Acknowledgement on your website, social media, newsletter or donors’ board is not regarded by the ATO as a tangible or material benefit. However, enlarging the acknowledgment into forms of advertising would prevent the payment being a gift.
More information is available on the ATO website.
It’s mentioned in the assessment criteria that a ‘case for support’ will be considered What is this?
A case for support is something you can weave into your project application. It’s all about explaining why your project is important, what it means to you, how it is different to other projects of a similar nature and why it is time sensitive (why does it have to happen now?). It should be a strong rationale for why donors should support your project.
Can I apply for ACF Boost for multiple projects?
No, you can only apply for ACF Boost with one project.
I already have a project live on the ACF – can I apply for ACF Boost?
If you already have a project live on the ACF you cannot apply for ACF Boost. Only projects submitted within the application window, Monday 21 September 2026 – Monday 19 October 2026, will be considered for Boost.
You are welcome to apply for ACF Boost with the same project by submitting a new project submission.
Can I apply for ACF Boost if I/my organisation was an ACF Boost recipient in 2026?
No, you are not eligible to apply for ACF Boost 2027 if you were a part of the ACF Boost 2026 cohort.
If my application is not successful, do I still need to run an ACF campaign?
No, you will not be required to run an ACF campaign if your application to ACF Boost is not successful. However, we encourage you to run your campaign with or without ACF Boost funding and we will be available to assist you with resources and advice if you choose to do so.
The ACF is a keep-what-you-raise platform so there’s nothing to lose!
If you would still like to run your campaign without ACF Boost funding, please get in touch with the ACF Team and we can organise this for you.
Can I apply for ACF Boost but fundraise through a different crowdfunding platform?
No, all ACF Boost projects must complete their fundraising campaign on the ACF to be eligible for matched funds.
What kind of ABN do I need to have to register an ACF profile?
We accept any current, active ABN including sole trader, partnership, limited partnership, trust, proprietary limited, corporation and non-profit. If you are being auspiced, please enter the organisation’s ABN when creating your ACF profile or contact the ACF Team with the auspice organisation’s details. Please note that the bank account that funds are paid to must have the same name as the ABN holder.
How do I choose my ACF campaign target?
Your ACF campaign target lets us know how much you are hoping to raise for your project, however it’s important to find a balance between being ambitious and being realistic.
Think about your resources, networks and time; you will only have between four and twelve weeks to complete your fundraising campaign. You can raise your target at any time, so we recommend starting modest and then raise this when needed.
Have a look at our blog for some great tips and advice on how to set a campaign target that will work for you or get in touch with the ACF Team to discuss your proposed campaign.
Do I need to supply any support material?
No. You don’t need to upload or attach any support material to your application. Any additional information (letters of support etc.) that is uploaded or attached to the application won’t be included in the assessment.
We do encourage you to create a campaign pitch video that you can use to promote your fundraising campaign - this can always be added to the project after launching.
How do I fill out the budget in the application?
The budget in the application is for the project/project stage that you are raising the funds for. The budget must be balanced i.e. come to $0.
See below an example for how to complete the budget in your application.
| Projected Income | $ | Projected Expenditure | $ |
| Income Generated from Project | 0 | Project and production costs | 0 |
| Applicant Contribution | 1,200 | Marketing and promotion costs | 1,600 |
| Grants Received | 0 | Administration | 0 |
|
Sponsorship and Support
|
1,000 | Salaries, fees and allowances | 10,000 |
| Donations Other | 5,000 | Logistical and travel costs | 600 |
| Donations through ACF | 5,000 | ||
| Total Income | 12,200 | Total Expenditure | 12,200 |
Where do I add the Boost matched funds in the budget?
Please include the matched funds to a maximum of $5,000 under the ‘Donations Other’ budget line.
I haven’t met my ACF campaign target – what happens now?
The ACF is a keep-what-you-raise platform, so if you don’t reach your campaign target, you still receive the amount you raised, plus dollar-for-dollar matched funds from ACF Boost for the amount you raised up to $5,000.
I have exceeded my ACF campaign target – can I receive more ACF Boost funds?
Firstly, congratulations! It’s quite a feat to exceed your campaign target, so take a moment to congratulate yourself. ACF Boost has a fixed pool of funds to distribute so there is no opportunity to receive more than $5,000 of matched funding - however you are welcome to increase your campaign target so you can leverage more donations. Simply contact the ACF team to increase your campaign target.
When will I receive our ACF Boost funds?
ACF Boost grant agreements will be issued in mid-late May 2027. Once issued, participants will need to sign the grant agreement and submit their bank details – the funds will be transferred within 3-5 business days of this happening.
When does the project need to be delivered?
ACF Boost projects can be delivered any time from May 2027.
Do I need to complete a project acquittal?
Yes, all projects that run fundraising campaigns on the ACF are required to complete an ACF acquittal. Project acquittals are due 30 days after the submitted Project End Date.
I’m new to fundraising. How can I learn more about creating a fundraising campaign?
We have a range of online resources to get you fundraising ready.
A great place to start is our First Timers Kit which has some helpful hints for first time fundraisers. It’s also worth looking through the Blog, which is packed full with FAQ videos, case studies, and fundraising resources to help you shape your campaign.
The ACF Team is available for 10-minute consultations which you can arrange here.
What support is available for my ACF Boost campaign?
Participants will be invited to a webinar to explore fundraising best practice and hear from past Boost participants. ACF Boost campaigns will be featured on the ACF social media channels to support overall visibility and to promote the matched funding component of the opportunity. Participants will be asked to provide images/videos for the promotion. The ACF team will check-in with participants at regular intervals throughout the fundraising window.
