ANZ and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras announced applications are now open for their national LGBTQI community grants program

Launching on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT), the program will provide grants of up to $10,000 to LGBTQI not-for-profit community organisations, charities and individuals to help support local LGBTQI communities.

The ANZ & Sydney Mardi Gras Community Grants program will provide financial funding for a wide range of purposes including education and training, community development and creation, arts and culture – anything under the rainbow

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras CEO, Terese Casu, said: “This national grants program is important because there’s real grass roots work that needs to be done in Australia for LGBTQI communities, especially in regional Australia where isolation is an issue – and we know these grants will provide much needed support for the important work being done.”

“Philanthropic and grants funding to LGBTQI specific projects is limited in Australia. There are some fantastic state-based organisations that provide funding, but this grants program has been designed to be national and very diverse,” said Ms Caus.

While collaboration between ANZ and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has spanned over 12 years, the new grants program extends the partnership past official festivities to ensure ongoing support of LGBTQI communities and projects.

ANZ Chair of the Pride Network, Melissa Tandy said: “As a champion of diversity, inclusion and respect, ANZ is proud to launch this new grants program and help LGBTQI communities and individuals thrive.

“We’re excited to be able to support a wide array of causes and initiatives working to better the lives of the LGBTQI community and hope these grants will make a real difference to Australian’s far and wide,” she said.