Grassroot Grants now open

Up to $56,000 is available across Kangaroo Island to support one-year projects between $1,000 and $8,000, which address the priorities in the Kangaroo Island Landscape Plan 2021-2026.

Andrew Heinrich, Chair of the KILB, said the grants support volunteers, schools, individual landholders, community organisations, and First Nations and not-for-profit groups working locally, in running KI projects that help care for our soil, water, and biodiversity through on-ground action and education.

"Grants can be used to kick-start a new project or build on an existing one for activities such as revegetation, protecting native vegetation and watercourses, managing erosion, sustainable agriculture, neighbours working together to control weeds and other pests, supporting First Nations groups, and community education activities," Mr Heinrich said.

Funding for the KI Grassroots Grants comes from the regional Landscape Levy and the Government of South Australia's annual allocation for the Kangaroo Island Landscape Board.

Mr Heinrich said the Grassroots Grants program supports our local community in playing a significant role in managing our natural resources.

"One example is the great work happening at the Parndana Community Garden," he said.

Meaghan May has been involved with the Parndana Community Garden since it started in 2020.

Since then, Parndana Community Garden has grown from strength to strength.

"The community garden sits on land near the school that was unused for years," said Mrs May, a Parndana resident for more than 20 years.

"It is now a wonderful space with a thriving garden that the community can enjoy," she said.

The Parndana Community Garden received Grassroot Grant funding in 2024 to improve fencing infrastructure and plant native species to encourage biodiversity.

"The native shrubs on each side of the fence will create windbreaks and improve biodiversity to attract pollinators such as native bees and bird life," Mrs May said.

Mrs May is one of five Parndana Community Garden Committee members organising community get-togethers, monthly working bees, and a watering roster posted on Facebook.

"The best thing about the community garden is that it brought the community together," Mrs May said.

"We have school kids and older people working together in the garden, and young mums meet here to have coffee and catch up," she said.

"Gardeners come and share their ideas about what works and doesn't work in their garden at home."

Mrs May said the Parndana Community Garden also helps to provide food for the local community through the monthly harvest exchange that attracts 25 to 30 people on the last Sunday of every month.

"The harvest exchange is a fantastic initiative," Mrs May said.

"No money is exchanged; people share leftover produce in their gardens or anything they can share, such as jams, chutneys, books or empty gardening pots."

Mrs May encourages other groups to apply for Grassroot Grants funding to complete community-led projects.

"It is easy to apply for Grassroot Grants," Mrs May said.

"You get the money upfront for projects that bring great community outcomes."

Applications for the 2025 Grassroots Grants round opened on 1 April 2025 and closes on 6 May 2025. Projects must be completed by 30 June 2026, unless they contain revegetation activities and then the completion date can be extended until 30 September 2026.

Please read the Funding Guidelines for information about the rate of funding, eligibility, and the application process before applying.

All applications must be submitted online via the SmartyGrants portal.

Need help with your application?

To help with your grant writing a workshop will be held on Thursday 10 April from 7pm until 8pm at the KI Landscape Board, 35 Dauncey Street, Kingscote and also online via Microsoft Teams. Register your interest to attend the workshop in person or online via email to ki.landscapeboard@sa.gov.au

If you need help with the application process or an existing project, please call Bec Mussared or Alex James at (08) 8553 2476.

For everything you need to know about the application process, including guidelines and application forms, visit www.landscape.sa.gov.au/ki/grassrootsrootsgrants