How We Work

The NCCA gathers together Churches and Christian communities which confess the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Saviour according to the Scriptures. We commit to deepen our relationship with each other and to work together towards the fulfilment of common witness, proclamation and service, to the glory of the one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Funding human development is a tangible expression of the Churches’ support for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Peoples to develop their communities and their participation in the wider Australian and international communities.

The Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Development Fund (ATSIDF), of the National Council of Churches in Australia, is a tax deductible fund set up to assist Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Peoples by giving small, usually one-off grants for community development projects. The projects are funded through the NATSIEC annual Martung Upah Appeal.

How to Apply

Applications must be made on the appropriate form. Please read the guidelines before making your submission. Please note that grants over $5,000, or for recurrent funding, will not be considered. If you have any questions please contact NCCA on (02) 9299 2215  prior to submitting your application.

Download Application form

ATSIDF Application rev21 (348 KB)  (doc)

ATSIDF Application rev21 (200 KB)  (pdf)

Download ATSIDF Guidelines

ATSIDF Guidelines rev21 (185 KB)  (doc)

ATSIDF Guidelines rev21 (262 KB)  (pdf)

Closing Dates for Funding Applications

Applications are received from July to March each year.

Applications for the financial year ending 30 June 2025:

  • round 1 – closed (Monday – 5 August 2024) 
  • round 2 – closed (Monday – 21 October 2024)
  • round 3 – Monday 24 March 2025

Applications are generally not received and assessed between 30 April and 30 June each year. However, we always welcome enquiries.

For information on the next assessment date please call 02 9299 2215 or email secretariat@ncca.org.au

Projects Funded in 2024

  1. University of Divinity – Tribal Voices 2024 Conference Sponsorship $5000
  2. Taize-Awabakal Reconciliation Chant composition $4200
  3. Dr Anne Pattel-Gray – to support costs to attend  WCC Commission for World Mission and Evangelisation meeting in Nairobi $5000

Projects Funded in 2023

  1. Churches Together SA and Uniting Church SA – A Theological & Biblical Approach to the Uluru Statement from the Heart Project $5000
  2. The University of Divinity – 2023 Uluru Statement from the Heart Events $5000
  3. St Oswald’s Anglican Church, Glen Iris VIC – First Nations Family Day during NAIDOC Week 2023 $5000
  4. The University of Divinity – Raising our Tribal Voice Conference  $5000 – School of Indigenous Studies – to contribute to the cost of flights, accommodation and meals for Indigenous theologians to enable their attendance at the Conference.

Projects Funded in 2022

  1. Melbourne Anglican Cultural Organisation – St Oswald’s Woiwurrung Language Project $5000

Projects Funded in 2021

  1. St Oswald’s School and Parish – Aboriginal Awareness and Education Project $5000 Resources to support teachers in Indigenous culture and history education. Visit Empower To Teach  website.
  2. UAICC SA – Uniting Aboriginal & Islander Christian Congress – Vison, History and Theology of the UAICC $5000
  3. Surrender Co – Indigenous Leadership Development – Christian Coaching with Young Emerging Leaders $3,467

Projects Funded in 2020

  1. SNAICC Conference attendance – Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation $4,000
  2. Developing Active Leaders – Bluearth Foundation $5,000
  3. Breaking Silent Codes – Dixie Link Gordon and Belinda Mason $2,500
  4. NCCA Safe Church Program – Safer Churches 9 Conference $5,177 – Brisbane, QLD on 17-18 September 2019.

Projects Funded in 2019

  1. January 26 Prayer Service – Common Grace
  2. Healing on Country –  Gimwuy Gallery $4,000
  3. Kuku Yalanji Elders Empowerment – Mossman Gorge Community Church $4,500
  4. Healthy Respectful Relationships – Cape York Gulf RAATSICC $4,000
  5. Projects Funded in 2018
  6. Data Projectors and screens for classrooms – Nungalinya College $ 5,000
  7. Emerging and Established Indigenous Leaders’ project, Melbourne 2018 – Surrender Australia $5,000

Projects Funded in 2017

  1. Kurdiji 1.0, Lajamanu community suicide prevention app – Kurdiji 1.0 project (with the Black Dog Institute) – $5,000
  2. Media Centre Acoustic carpeting – Nungalinya College $5,000
  3. Indigenous Leadership Engagement – Surrender Australia $5,000

Projects Funded in 2016

  1. Dareton Youth & Community Centre – Indigenous Ministries Australia, Global Mission Partners $5,000
  2. Classroom furniture – Nungalinya College $3,330
  3. Indigenous Leadership Engagement – Surrender Australia $5,000