- More than one in four Australian households (28%) experienced a cash-flow problem during the past 12 months, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
- Today, energy infrastructure company, Jemena, has opened its 2026 Community Grants Program which will provide grants of up to $10,000 to community organisations which deliver food relief, cost-of-living support, and education and employment services.
- The 2026 program has also been expanded to include sustainability initiatives across Melbourne's north-west suburbs and communities around Sale.
As communities in Victoria face increased cost-of-living pressures, local organisations are continuing to provide critical support to people in need. To support this work, leading energy infrastructure company Jemena has today opened its 2026 Community Grants Program.
"When a family is struggling to afford daily essentials, a community organisation can be the difference between going without or putting food on the table," said Jemena's General Manager of Corporate Affairs Tania Coltman.
"Last year we were really pleased to support groups like Our Village Network, which used Jemena funding to help provide essential items including cots, prams and clothing to around 500 children affected by domestic and family violence across north-west Melbourne and Gippsland," she said.
"Stories like this show the powerful role local organisations play in supporting their communities; we're looking forward to helping more groups deliver this kind of support through our 2026 program."
Ms Coltman said Jemena is inviting applications from a range of organisations including those who are helping families through cost-of-living pressures, creating education and employment opportunities, and reducing social isolation.
"We're also pleased to expand this year's program to include projects focused on environmental sustainability, particularly initiatives that reduce waste and promote reuse and recycling."
Ms Coltman said that since 2019, Jemena has invested more than $1 million through its Community Grants Program (including about $400,000 to organisations across Victoria) supporting 106 community organisations.
"Community organisations are often the first to identify local challenges and the first to deliver practical solutions," Ms Coltman said.
"We're incredibly proud to invest in initiatives which support people today while building stronger, more connected and sustainable communities for the future."
Applications close at 5pm on Friday 14 August 2026 (AEST).
