All eligible grant applicants are to complete and submit the application form enclosed on this website. In addition to the application form the following two items must be included:

  • A covering letter of no more than 1 x A4 pages that must be on the letterhead of the entity endorsed as the DGR and must be signed by a Director, CEO or responsible person of the DGR. It should detail any previous grant history with the James N. Kirby Foundation, and also include a list of the names and qualifications of your organisation’s Chair, Directors, CEO or Department Head.
  • On no more than 1 x A4 page, a total breakdown of the budget of the project and how you will be meeting those costs. In addition, please advise if you are seeking funding as a one-off cost or will it continue past the funding period, and if it is to continue, how will you secure future funding.

Charitable Status

Please note: there are two application forms – one for Small Grants up to $15,000 and another for Large Grants that have replied to a request for more extensive information.

The James N. Kirby Foundation can only consider requests from organisations with current Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) endorsement. Our Foundation does not make grants to auspiced entities (i.e. an organisation that applies for funding through another organisation which has DGR status.)

Geographical Focus

The James N. Kirby Foundation makes distributions within Australia only, with priority given to organisations in NSW or, in some cases, to national level programs whose work primarily benefits NSW.

Funding conditions

  • Funds can only be applied specifically for the purpose as outlined in the original application. If not, the funds must be returned immediately.
  • With a few exceptions, our Foundation does not provide multi-year funding or make grants that constitute the sole funding of an initiative.
  • We fund specific projects and may allow a small proportion of administration costs in any project on a selective basis.Small Grant applications are only considered based on those that fit within our stated criteria, range from $3,000 up to $15,000, and will be distributed by the DGR status organisation according to the application submitted, and within the following 12 month period from approval.
  • Large Grant applications are only considered based on those that fit within our stated criteria, range from $15,000 – $100,000, and will be distributed by the DGR status organisation according to the application submitted, and within the following 12 month period from approval. – Small Grant applications are only considered based on those that fit within our stated criteria, range from $3,000 up to $15,000, and will be distributed by the DGR status organisation according to the application submitted, and within the following 12 month period from approval.
  • Large Grant applications are only considered based on those that fit within our stated criteria, range from $15,000 – $100,000, and will be distributed by the DGR status organisation according to the application submitted, and within the following 12 month period from approval.

The James N. Kirby Foundation does not provide funding for:

  • Organisations whose DGR status has lapsed or is due to lapse.
  • Organisations that are not based in Australia or mainly work overseas.
  • Generic public fundraising appeals.
  • Capital or endowment funds established to provide a corpus for institutions.
  • Emergency requests or disaster appeals.
  • Individuals.
  • Travel and accommodation costs (other than for the provision of services to regional, rural and remote communities).
  • Projects which obviously duplicate existing services.
  • Political projects and/or lobby groups.
  • Event fundraising, marketing and promotional expenses.
  • Festivals.

Universities/Educational Institutions

The James N. Kirby Foundation will accept and approve only ONE application per Faculty from each University/Educational Institution. It is essential that a Cover Letter is included with the application and clearly highlights the Faculty, and the name of the Lead Researcher if you are seeking funds for research.

The James N. Kirby Foundation is guided by the following philanthropic objectives.

Child reading with adult
Sea turtle swimming
Conductor leading musicians