Please note: to apply you must be registered in our application management system a minimum of two business days prior to the closing date
Matched Funding for Organisations – Advanced
Key dates
Applications close: Tuesday 15 September 2026 at 3pm (AEST)
Notification: Tuesday 8 December 2026
Contact
To discuss this opportunity, please book a time to chat with the Capability Development team. Bookings will open from Thursday 6 August 2026.
Amount
$50,000 in matched funding each year for two years ($100,000 in total)
Question and Answer webinar
Date: Wednesday 5 August 2026, 12.45pm-1.15pm AEST (online via Zoom)
Please note: Are you registering to use our Application Management System for the first time? Make sure you register well before the closing date. It can take up to two business days to process your registration.
About the opportunity
Matched Funding for Organisations – Advanced supports small to medium arts and cultural organisations to lead and evolve sophisticated private sector fundraising practice and embed it for long-term sustainability within their organisation. This is an opportunity for organisations with mature fundraising capability, strategic clarity and strong ambition to grow or transform their fundraising efforts.
This opportunity provides matched funding over two years, alongside a structured approach to support ambitious fundraising innovation and future-proofing. Matched funding is provided on a dollar-for-dollar basis for eligible private sector income raised, up to $50,000 per year, for two years.
Matched funding is used as a catalyst to help Advanced organisations pursue transformational private sector fundraising opportunities.
The fund aims to help organisations:
- deliver ambitious, multi-year fundraising strategies aligned with organisational priorities
- strengthen and extend established fundraising systems and practice
- grow and develop significant private sector income, including new or higher value private income streams
- deepen and strategically manage complex supporter relationships
- pursue transformational fundraising opportunities that would not be achievable without this support.
This opportunity is delivered over two years with an integrated suite of capability development activities, alongside matched funding.
This supports organisations to strengthen, apply and stretch advanced fundraising practice across a two-year period, focusing on:
- planning and alignment – refining or extending fundraising strategy in line with organisational priorities, growth opportunities and long-term sustainability
- fundraising delivery – delivering multi-stream or multi-year fundraising activity, strengthening supporter engagement and growing private sector income
- consolidation and embedding – integrating fundraising leadership, governance and decision-making across the organisation to scale private sector growth, diversify income and sustain advanced fundraising performance over time.
Across this two-year framework:
- organisations are expected to build on existing capability and apply it strategically
- fundraising is expected to be established and embedded, with this opportunity supporting organisations to extend, strengthen and scale this practice across the organisation, including directors/Board, leadership and staff engagement
- delivery and capability development occur concurrently, rather than as separate activities.
Participation requires:
- commitment over the full two-year period
- active director/Board and leadership ownership of fundraising, including clear involvement and accountability
- a whole-of-organisation approach to fundraising delivery and retention of skills.
Who the opportunity is for
This opportunity is for small to medium organisations working across any artform, including screen, with an established fundraising program. It is aligned to the Advanced level of our Private Investment Capability Framework.
These organisations demonstrate the following Advanced fundraising characteristics:
- apply fundraising capability strategically with a high degree of autonomy and clarity across the organisation
- have an established fundraising program with defined systems, processes and internal ownership
- manage and steward a portfolio of supporter relationships across donors and partners
- deliver multi-year or multi-stream fundraising strategies aligned with organisational priorities
- use data, planning and performance monitoring to guide decisions and resource allocation
- embed fundraising across the organisation, including director/Board, leadership and staff engagement
- seek to scale, diversify or unlock new income streams through strategic investment.
What you need to demonstrate
Your application should clearly show:
- a defined fundraising initiative, and why this is the right time to pursue it
- an established fundraising program, including current systems, processes and resourcing
- a strong understanding of your supporter base and how relationships are managed and stewarded across the organisation
- a multi-year approach to growing private sector income, including how fundraising activity will be managed, monitored and adapted over time
- organisation wide commitment to fundraising, including leadership and director/Board involvement
- what participating in this opportunity will enable that would not otherwise occur
- how fundraising capability will be sustained beyond the matched funding period.
What we will match
Matched funding for organisations – Advanced will match funds sourced from:
- individual giving
- trusts and foundations
- business sponsorship
- workplace giving programs
- fundraising events (see below for exclusions around earned income)
- gifts to endowments and future funds.
The following will not be matched:
- bequests
- in-kind support
- loans
- earned income (including membership, box office, non-deductible ticket expenses, food and beverage income)
- local, state or federal government funding
- funds raised before 1 January 2027.
What is offered
Successful organisations receive:
- up to $50,000 in matched funding per year for two years ($100,000 in total)
- a structured capability development opportunity tailored to organisational fundraising priorities and ambitions
- capability development to strengthen fundraising leadership, governance, systems and practice across the organisation
- access to peer learning, specialist advice and national networks
- a two-year opportunity to plan, deliver and strengthen fundraising activity aligned to organisational goals.
Fundraising capability development
The capability development offer supports organisations to extend, strengthen and scale existing fundraising practice. Activities include:
Planning and capability development
- Initial planning and capability development session.
Leadership and governance
- fundraising governance workshop
- organisation-wide fundraising workshop.
Tailored support
- capability development sessions aligned to organisational priorities and fundraising ambitions
- access to specialist advice where required.
Peer learning
- National cohort connect sessions with participating organisations.
Participation commitment
You should allow approximately 12–15 hours per year for participation in capability development activities, in addition to the time required to plan and deliver your fundraising activity.
Matched funding
Matched funding is provided on a dollar-for-dollar basis against eligible private sector income raised.
Organisations determine the project, campaign or initiative they are fundraising for. This opportunity supports the fundraising activity needed to resource that outcome.
Outcomes
By the end of this opportunity, organisations are expected to:
- extend fundraising systems, tools and processes to support strategic, organisation-wide fundraising activity
- scale and sustain fundraising activity as part of a multi-year strategic approach
- achieve sustained growth and diversification of private sector income
- expand into new or higher-value income streams.
Information session
You can view our general information session about applying for our matched funding opportunity below. The session is Auslan interpreted and has closed captions.
Matched Funding for Organisations - Beginner & Advanced Info Session
Eligibility
Who can apply
Applicants must demonstrate that they:
- are a legally constituted entity with an ABN
- have an annual turnover of less than $6 million in the calendar year 2025 or financial year 2024/25
- are based in Australia and carry out the majority of their arts activity or practice within Australia
- are operating with the primary purpose of providing arts and cultural opportunities for Australian artists and audiences.
Who can’t apply
This opportunity will not accept applications from:
- individuals and groups
- organisations that received Plus1 in the 2025/26 round
- organisations with an annual turnover of $6 million or more in the calendar year 2025 or financial year 2024/25 depending on which financial calendar your organisation adheres to
- organisations established to raise funds for another organisation whose annual turnover is greater than $6 million
- applicants who have an overdue grant report to Creative Australia
- applicants who owe money to Creative Australia
- applicants who have already applied to this opportunity on this closing date.
What can be supported
Organisations can raise funds to support activities/initiatives such as:
- capital or infrastructure projects
- endowments or future funds
- artistic programs, new work or creative development
- core operations or organisational sustainability
- workforce development
- audience development and community engagement
- systems and tools to support fundraising (e.g. CRM systems).
Protocols
Your application must comply with the following protocols. We may contact you to request further information during the assessment process, or if successful, as a condition of your agreement.
Protocols for using First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property in the Arts
All applications involving First Nations artists, communities or subject matter must adhere to these Protocols, provide evidence of this in their application and support material. More information on the First Nations Protocols is available here.
Commonwealth Child Safe Framework
All successful applicants are required to comply with all Australian law relating to employing or engaging people who work or volunteer with children, including working with children checks and mandatory reporting. Successful organisations who provide services directly to children, or whose investment activities involve contact with children, will additionally be required to implement the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.
Application
Applications must be submitted via Creative Australia’s Application Management System.
If you are registering to use the System for the first time, make sure you register well before the closing date. It can take up to two business days to process your registration.
Application questions
About Your Organisation
- Describe your organisation’s purpose and your fundraising goals for this Matched Funding opportunity. Why does this proposed activity matter, and who benefits? Why is matched funding the right opportunity to support your goals? (300-word limit)
- Describe your current fundraising program, including your supporter base, stewardship approach and how you manage, resource and deliver fundraising. (450-word limit)
Your Fundraising Campaign
- Outline your fundraising approach for the next two years. Include: your broad fundraising goal; the key fundraising activities or campaign you will deliver; who you will seek support from; how you will engage supporters; how you will monitor progress and adapt your approach over time. (500-word limit)
- How will matched funding and the capability support strengthen or accelerate the fundraising approach you have outlined above? (250-word limit)
- What challenges or risks might affect your campaign and how will you manage them? (200-word limit)
Fundraising Growth Opportunities
- What systemic changes need to occur in your organisation to support transformational fundraising, and how will this opportunity enable those changes? (350-word limit)
- What is your organisation’s vision for private sector growth over the next 5 to 10 years, and how will this opportunity help you achieve it? (350-word limit)
Assessment
Applications will be assessed by Industry Advisors with diverse and relevant experience against the assessment criteria below. An internal moderation process will then be conducted by Creative Australia staff to ensure diversity and alignment to the aims of this opportunity. Final decisions will be made by Creative Australia.
Applications are assessed against the following four criteria:
Alignment
Industry Advisors will consider how well your application reflects the aims of the opportunity and the stated priorities for Advanced fundraising capability.
Industry Advisors may consider the following:
- how clearly your proposal reflects the aims of this opportunity
- the extent to which your organisation reflects Advanced level fundraising capability
- the connection between your fundraising opportunity and your organisational direction.
Quality
Industry Advisors will consider the strength of your fundraising activities, practice and strategic approach as relevant to your organisation.
Industry Advisors may consider the following:
- the maturity of your existing fundraising capability, systems and processes
- the depth of your supporter relationships and stewardship practice
- the clarity of your strategic approach and how fundraising is embedded across your organisation.
Viability
Industry Advisors will consider whether your proposed fundraising activities are feasible and can be delivered and sustained.
Industry Advisors may consider the following:
- the feasibility of your proposed fundraising opportunity
- the level of director/Board, leadership and whole-of-organisation commitment
- your capacity to deliver and sustain activity over a multi-year period
- your capacity to understand challenges and mitigate the risks associated with delivering your fundraising campaign.
Impact
Industry Advisors will consider the likely outcomes of your campaign for your organisation’s fundraising capability and income.
Industry Advisors may consider the following:
- the potential for sustained growth in fundraising capability
- the likelihood of long-term increases in fundraising revenue, including diversification of income sources
- the broader value this opportunity will create for your organisation beyond the matched funding period.
Successful applicants
What capability development support is included?
This opportunity includes a structured capability development offer designed to help organisations strengthen and extend existing fundraising practice while pursuing ambitious fundraising opportunities.
Support includes a combination of compulsory and optional activities delivered throughout the program.
The full schedule of compulsory and optional capability development activities in year 1 is outlined below. Further information on year 2 Capability Development Support will be discussed with successful applicants. The time commitment in year 2 will be similar.
Compulsory activities in year 1:
| Date/s | Activities | Location | |
| December 2026 or January 2027* |
60 minute session with your State Manager Development and Partnerships. Date and time to be set following notification of successful applicants. |
Online or in-person | Executive and/or fundraising lead |
| Between February – March 2027* | 60 – 90 minute fundraising governance workshop with the Board, leadership team, fundraising lead. | Online or in-person | Executive, Board and fundraising lead |
| 12 August 2027, 3pm AEST | 90 minute national cohort connect to support peer learning and exchange. | Online | Executive and/or fundraising lead |
| February 2028 | 60 minute Year 2 planning and stewardship check-in with your State Manager Development and Partnerships. | Online or in-person | Executive and/or fundraising lead |
Optional support:
| Date/s | Activities | Location | Attendance |
| April 2027* | 120 minute workshop with all staff in your organisation. | Online or in-person | Staff members |
| Year 1 (2027) | 3 x 60 minute sessions with your State Manager Development and Partnerships (highly encouraged). | Online or in-person | At the organisation's discretion |
| Year 2 (2028) | 3 x 60 minute sessions with your State Manager Development and Partnerships (highly encouraged). | Online or in-person | At the organisation's discretion |
| To be determined | Access to up to $10,000 in fundraising capability development support, determined in consultation with Creative Australia to address specialist fundraising needs. | To be determined | To be determined |
*Date and time to be determined in consultation with each organisation.
Stage 1 | Fundraising
Successful organisations are required to undertake fundraising campaigns during the approved fundraising period.
Year 1: 1 January 2027 – 1 December 2027
Year 2: 1 January 2028 – 1 December 2028
This opportunity will match funds raised from eligible private sources, including:
- individual giving
- trusts and foundations
- business sponsorship and philanthropy
- workplace giving programs
- fundraising events (subject to eligible fundraising requirements).
This opportunity will not match:
- bequests
- in-kind contributions
- loans
- earned income (including membership fees, ticket sales, merchandising, food and beverage income and other commercial revenue)
- local, state or federal government funding
- funds raised before 1 January 2027.
Stage 2 | Verification
Once an organisation reaches its fundraising target, it must verify eligible funds raised before matched funding can be released. Matched funding is released following approval of each Fundraising Verification and Campaign Report.
Recipients must retain appropriate supporting documentation, including:
- bank statements showing donor names, deposit amounts and dates
- bank-issued deposit receipts
- written confirmation from donors where required.
Additional evidence may be requested during the verification process.
Stage 3 | Deliver Funded Project or Activity
Recipients will use both privately raised funds and matched funding to deliver the approved project or activity outlined in their application.
Recipients are expected to maintain regular communication with the Capability Development team and promptly notify us of any significant risks, delays or changes. Any proposed changes to the approved project, budget, scope or timeline must receive prior written approval.
Stage 4 | Acquittals and Reporting
Recipients are required to report on the outcomes of both their fundraising campaign and funded project. Reporting templates will be made available through Fluxx before each reporting deadline.
Acquittal 1: Fundraising Verification and Campaign Report
Due: No later than 31 December 2027
The report must include:
- total value of funds raised
- number and type of contributors
- evaluation of fundraising strategies and activities
- challenges, opportunities and lessons learned
- impact of the campaign on the organisation and stakeholders.
Acquittal 2: Fundraising Verification and Campaign Report
Due: No later than 31 December 2028
The report must include:
- total value of funds raised
- number and type of contributors
- evaluation of fundraising strategies and activities
- challenges, opportunities and lessons learned
- impact of the campaign on the organisation and stakeholders.
Acquittal 3: Final Project Report
Due: Following completion of the funded project or activity no later than 31 December 2029.
The report must include:
- how privately raised and matched funds were spent
- outcomes and benefits achieved for the organisation and its stakeholders
- financial reconciliation of project expenditure
- supporting material, such as testimonials, media coverage, promotional assets and evidence of ongoing donor relationship.
This final report demonstrates the impact of the project and the effectiveness of the organisation's fundraising and investment strategies.
Notification and successful applicants
Once all applications have been assessed, you will be contacted by email about the outcome of your application.
If you have been successful, an agreement will be attached to the Contracts section of your online account. This contract outlines the conditions of your participation in this opportunity. We will pay you once you have accepted your grant agreement and any reports or deliverables you must provide us with have been approved.
If you are not successful, we cannot provide individual feedback. We will provide general feedback on the applications received on our website within 4 weeks of the notification date.
Frequently asked questions
About the Opportunity
Who is this opportunity for?
This opportunity is for small to medium arts and cultural organisations that are at an advanced level with established fundraising experience that are ready to grow or deepen their private sector support.
It is designed for organisations that already have a mature fundraising program in place and want to refine their strategic approach.
What size and scale of organisation can apply?
We recognise there is need for fundraising support across the arts and cultural sector. This opportunity takes a targeted approach by focusing on small to medium arts and cultural organisations where Creative Australia sees significant need and potential impact.
To be eligible, your organisation must have annual turnover of less than $6 million in either the 2025 calendar year or the 2024/25 financial year and have a primary purpose of providing arts and cultural opportunities for Australian artists and audiences.
Universities, educational institutions, local councils and larger entities may have arts and cultural programs but are generally not eligible where their total turnover is more than $6 million. We also will not accept applications from organisations established to raise funds for another organisation whose annual turnover is greater than $6 million.
This helps direct matched funding and capability development support to organisations where it can build fundraising confidence, grow private sector support and strengthen long-term sustainability.
How do we know if our organisation is at an advanced fundraising level?
Your organisation may be at an advanced fundraising level if fundraising is already an active and intentional part of how you work.
You may already have established supporter relationships, fundraising systems, staff or board involvement, and experience working with donors, trusts and foundations, sponsors, partners, patrons or members.
You do not need to have every part of your fundraising strategy perfected, but your application should show that your organisation is ready to build on strong foundations, deepen private sector support and pursue a more ambitious fundraising opportunity.
How is this different from Plus1?
This opportunity builds on Plus1 but has been redesigned to support deeper and more sustained fundraising growth.
Plus1 was a single-year matched funding opportunity. This new opportunity offers two years of matched funding, giving organisations more time to deepen supporter relationships, grow private sector income and embed fundraising across the organisation.
The Advanced opportunity is for organisations with established fundraising capability, active supporter relationships and organisation-wide ownership of fundraising.
Matched Funding
How much matched funding is available?
Creative Australia will match eligible private sector income dollar for dollar, up to $50,000 per year for two years.
How does the two-year matched funding work?
This is a two-year matched funding opportunity.
Creative Australia will match eligible private sector income dollar for dollar, up to $50,000 per year for two years.
This means your organisation will need to fundraise in both years, 2027 and 2028 You should show that you have a clear approach to fundraising in each year and the systems, people and leadership support needed to participate across the full opportunity period.
Each year of the opportunity you have up to $50,000 of matched funding available to you. If you don’t reach your target in the first year, the fundraising shortfall is not carried over to the second year. $50,000 is available in the second year.
The two-year structure is designed to help your organisation deepen supporter relationships, grow private sector income and embed more strategic fundraising practice over time.
Once the target for each year is reached recipients need to verify the funds raised before matched funding can be released. Recipients are required to report on the outcomes of their fundraising campaign. Reporting templates will be made available through Fluxx before each reporting deadline.
Acquittal 1: Fundraising Verification and Campaign Report, due no later than 31 December 2027.
Acquittal 2: Fundraising Verification and Campaign Report due no later than 31 December 2028.
What private sector income can be matched?
Eligible income may include donations from individuals, trusts and foundations, business sponsorship, workplace giving, and fundraising events where the income is a donation.
To be eligible, income must be raised during the approved fundraising period and meet the requirements outlined in the opportunity guidelines.
For this opportunity, eligible fundraising periods are:
- Year 1: 1 January 2027 to 1 December 2027
- Year 2: 1 January 2028 to 1 December 2028
Income raised outside these periods, including funds secured before 1 January 2027, is not eligible for matching.
What income cannot be matched?
This opportunity will not match government funding, bequests, in-kind support, loans, earned income or funds raised before the eligible fundraising period.
Earned income includes ticket sales, membership fees, venue hire, product sales, food and beverage sales, and other income received in exchange for goods or services.
Can we use matched funding to grow an existing campaign?
Yes, though your application should explain how the matched funding will help you reach new supporters, increase giving, strengthen relationships or test a new approach.
Can we use this opportunity for core operations or strategic priorities?
Yes, if the activity meets the opportunity requirements and is suitable for private sector support.
You should clearly explain the need, why supporters are likely to give, and how the funding will strengthen your organisation.
What can our organisation fundraise for?
You can fundraise for a project, initiative or organisational priority that is suitable for private sector support.
This may include artistic programs, new work, touring, audience development, community engagement, access costs, fundraising systems, staff capacity, capital projects, reserves or other strategic priorities that support your organisation’s long-term sustainability.
Can I use matched funding as part of an AusArt Day campaign?
Yes. If you participate in AusArt Day, donations raised through your AusArt Day fundraising activities may be eligible for matched funding, provided they meet the requirements in the opportunity guidelines and are raised during the eligible fundraising period.
AusArt Day can be one way to build momentum for your fundraising campaign, reach new supporters and encourage giving through a nationally recognised day of giving.
Capability development and participation
What capability development support is included?
The opportunity includes a structured capability development offer designed to help organisations strengthen and extend existing fundraising practice while pursuing ambitious fundraising opportunities.
Activities include:
- an initial planning and capability development session
- a fundraising governance workshop involving leadership and board representatives
- tailored capability development sessions aligned to organisational priorities
- national online cohort connect sessions with peer organisations
- access to specialist advice where required.
Organisations should allow approximately 12–15 hours of participation per year, in addition to the time required to deliver fundraising activity.
The support is designed to help your organisation apply and extend existing fundraising capability while delivering fundraising activity.
How much time and resourcing does our organisation need to take part?
Your organisation needs to be able to commit time across the full two-year opportunity period and resource an ambitious fundraising approach.
In addition to planning and delivering fundraising activity, organisations should allow approximately 12–15 hours per year for participation in capability development activities. This includes planning sessions, governance workshops, peer learning and tailored capability development support.
The opportunity requires active involvement from the organisation's fundraising lead and CEO or equivalent senior decision-maker, with participation from board members and leadership in relevant activities.
Before applying, consider whether your organisation has the time, people, systems and leadership commitment needed to participate fully and make the most of the opportunity.
The support is designed to help your organisation apply and extend existing fundraising capability while delivering fundraising activity.
Who from our organisation needs to take part?
Your organisation should nominate the people who will lead or support the fundraising campaign.
This may include fundraising staff, executive leaders, board members or other key people. Participants must be available to take part in the required capability development activities.
Eligibility and organisational readiness
What evidence of established fundraising capability do we need to show?
This opportunity is for organisations that can show an established fundraising track record and the capacity to build on it.
Your application should demonstrate recent fundraising results, active supporter relationships, clear internal roles, leadership or board support, and a strategic opportunity to grow, deepen or diversify private sector income through this opportunity.
Can we apply if we have received Plus1 matched funding before?
If your organisation has received matched funding before through Plus1 and is eligible, your application should explain what has changed and how this opportunity will help you develop the next stage of your fundraising work. Applications for repeat activity are less likely to be supported unless you can show clear organisational development, a different approach, or progression in your fundraising practice.
Assessment
What are the assessment criteria for this opportunity?
Assessment is undertaken by Creative Australia with advice from industry experts. Applications are assessed against four criteria: Alignment, Quality, Viability and Impact.
Industry Advisors may consider:
- how well your application fits the Advanced level and the intent of the opportunity
- the strength of your existing fundraising capability, systems and supporter relationships
- the connection between your fundraising opportunity and your organisational direction
- the clarity of your strategic approach
- how fundraising is embedded across your organisation
- whether your proposed fundraising activities are feasible and sustainable
- the level of board, leadership and whole-of-organisation commitment
- how the opportunity could support sustained growth in fundraising capability and private sector income.
Applying
What financial information do we need to provide?
You need to provide the financial information requested in the application form.
This may include recent financial statements, audited accounts if available, or other records that show your organisation’s financial position. Check the opportunity guidelines for the required attachments.
How do we complete the budget?
Your budget should show the full cost of the activity you are fundraising for.
It should include your private sector fundraising target, the amount of matched funding you are requesting, and any other income. It should also include all costs related to the activity and your fundraising campaign.
Your total income and total expenditure must balance.
Can Creative Australia help us write our application?
We cannot write or review your application for you.
We can help you understand the opportunity guidelines, talk through the application process and answer questions about eligibility and requirements.
Can we apply more than once in the same round?
No. We will only consider one application from each organisation in each round.
How can we make our application stronger?
Read the opportunity guidelines carefully before you apply.
A strong application will clearly explain your fundraising track record, what you are fundraising for, who you will ask for support, how matched funding will help you grow private sector income, and how the opportunity will strengthen your organisation’s long-term fundraising strategy.
