our grants

 

background

small grants program

Mary MacKillop Today’ Highways and Byways continues the work of the Missionary Sisters of Service (MSS) reaching out in hope and love to people socially and
geographically isolated, strengthening community relationships and networks, developing leadership and empowering people to meet the
challenges that confront them.

Since 1944 the MSS have travelled vast distances to reach people in all kinds of places and situations, and support those on the margins:
geographically, culturally, spiritually, socially and economically.

Each year we provide small grants to community-led organisations for projects that address disadvantage and exclusion within towns and
communities, especially in rural and regional Australia.

OUR THEME AND FOCUS FOR OUR 2025 GRANTS

Embracing and Valuing Diversity in Nature and Community

The theme of our 2025 Small Grants Program – ‘Embracing and Valuing Diversity in Nature and Community’ – recognises that we are entering challenging times for many Australians as the growing impacts of climate change continue to cause severe damage to land, homes and communities, especially in rural and regional Australia. Extreme weather events are affecting communities that are already under stress through previous disasters, with rebuilding challenges, the realities of everyday financial stresses, and limited employment opportunities in vulnerable communities.

Our fragile ecosystems are experiencing unprecedented stress. This is reducing the environmental capital on which current and future economies depend. Social, environmental and economic impacts are already apparent.

ELEGIBILITY & HOW TO APPLY

You must first ensure your project fits the grant criteria, aligns with our theme for the year and that you are located within the regions we specify (download guidelines).   Once ready to apply you can do so via our online application or by downloading the application form and returning by 5.00pm AEDT Tuesday 1 April 2025.

  

Featured Grant Recipients

success stories

MARSHES TELL A STORY

WARREN, NSW Some areas of cultural significance around Warren, in north-west NSW, have been seen for the first time by local Indigenous people, thanks to RiverSmart Australia and Highways and Byways. Two bus trips to the area included people from the Warren Wayliwan...

PLANTING SEEDS FOR THE FUTURE

JIMBOOMBA, QUEENSLAND Beth Cook has future generations in mind when she wanders around parts of the Jimboomba Community Garden. Not just tomorrow’s gardeners, but sustainable fruit and vegetable plants that will be producing food for future generations. Beth and her...

READING THE LANDSCAPE

INVERELL, NSW Byron Norman has a big job. He’s a coordinator with the Gwymac Landcare team working with farmers around the Inverell area of the New England Tablelands of NSW, encouraging them to consider tending their land differently. It can be challenging as farmers...

GREEN THUMBS IN ACTION: GROWING AND COOKING TOGETHER

GOONDIWINDI, QLD Karra Suhr’s students are growing food in the first half of the year that they will use to cook up a storm in the second half of the year. Her approach to teaching agricultural science is practical and one she hopes will equip her students to better...

WADEYE ON THE MEND

Wadeye, Northern Territory There’s a patch of Wadeye, a remote outback town south-west of Darwin, that’s starting to look pretty good. Two years of weeds, abandoned car parts and town rubbish is disappearing. Slowly, the Thamarrurr Men’s Shed is re-emerging thanks to...

PRO HART WAY SHOWS NEW LIFE

Broken Hill, NSW Years of drought have taken a toll on the main roads into Broken Hill in NSW. A census found that more than 1,000 trees have died from 3,000 planted. But Pro Hart Way, the road from town to the airport is bucking the trend thanks to a handful of...