Reducing Social Isolation for Seniors Grant Program

About the grant program

The Reducing Social Isolation for Seniors Grant Program funded projects to support seniors to connect with others and address the challenges that contribute to social isolation.

Grants were available in Round One (early 2021), Round Two (late 2021) and Round Three (late 2022) for local government authorities and not-for-profit community organisations to create projects, programs and activities aimed at older people aged 65 years and over, or 50 years and over for Aboriginal people, who are socially isolated or at risk of isolation.

The Reducing Social Isolation for Seniors Grant Program (Rounds One, Two and Three) follows the Combatting Social Isolation for Seniors During COVID-19 Grant Program (2020).

Reducing Social Isolation for Seniors - Round Three

In Round Three, twenty-one organisations and local councils received funding to deliver locally driven projects, programs or activities that foster social inclusion for older people.

Round Three of the Reducing Social Isolation for Seniors Grant Program offered three funding categories totalling up to $600,000 in grants ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 for local government authorities and not for profit community organisations to design and implement 12 month programs that provide opportunities to form social connections, promote social inclusion and reduce social isolation and loneliness. 

For more information on successful recipients visit Successful Round Recipients – Round Three page  

Round Two

Following the success of Round One of the Reducing Social Isolation for Seniors Grant Program in early 2021, applications for funding through Round 2 opened in late 2021.

Twenty-four organisations were successful, sharing in $600,000 in grants ranging from $10,000 to $60,000 to design and implement 12-month projects that promote social inclusion and reduce seniors’ isolation and loneliness.

Please see the Successful Grant Recipients - Round Two page for more information and contact details.

Funded projects actively engage new people, particularly harder-to-reach socially isolated older people, and focus on bringing older people together in person through small group activities (where possible) and enable them to develop quality relationships that can be maintained beyond these activities.

Successful applicants were required to demonstrate adaptability in the way social connections will be maintained to accommodate potential changes to social mobility during this period, e.g. moving to online or virtual gatherings should physical gatherings be restricted, to align with any public health orders.

Round One

Twenty six organisations received funding in Round One to deliver effective, self-sustaining projects that provide meaningful opportunities to help older people connect with each other and develop quality social relationships.

The twenty six successful grant recipients will deliver projects, programs and activities that help older people connect and engage with each other through small group activities that bring them together in person (if possible) and enable them to develop quality relationships that can be maintained beyond these activities.

Successful projects from Round One have commenced and are being delivered in the community.

Please see the Successful Grant Recipients - Round One page for more information and contact details.

More information

If you have any queries please email Seniors@facs.nsw.gov.au