Dame Roma Mitchell Grants - celebrating 20 years

Apply for a grant Make a tax-deductible donation to the Grants

Dame Roma Mitchell Grants provide opportunities for eligible children and young people who are, or have been, under the guardianship of the Chief Executive or Minister for Child Protection in South Australia for at least one full year to:

  • achieve personal goals
  • contribute to health and wellbeing
  • provide developmental opportunities.

There are two funding rounds held each year. The first funding round is held in February/March, and the second funding round is held in August/September.

For grants related to further education, applications will be considered outside of the normal grant rounds (where the timing of the next grant round is too late). Please contact the Executive Officer for further information.

2024 grant round dates

  • Grant Round 1 – opens on Monday, 29 January 2024 and closes on Friday, 8 March 2024
  • Grant Round 2 – opens on Monday, 19 August 2024 and closes on Friday, 27 September 2024

You are eligible to apply if

  • you are, or have been, under a guardianship order pursuant to current or previous child protection legislation in South Australia, for at least one full year; or

alternatively, you may be eligible, if you are a child/young person who is/was placed in the long-term care of relatives under family care agreements, financially supported on a regular basis by the Department for Child Protection (or a previous equivalent) for a combined total of at least one year;

  • and you are under 30 years of age, at the closing date of the funding round.

Dame Roma Mitchell Grants are available in the following categories:

Achieving personal goals

These grants provide a range of social, recreational and self-development opportunities.  Previous grants have been awarded for:

  • musical instruments
  • attendance at workshops
  • art materials
  • sporting equipment.

Health and wellbeing

Grants have been awarded to support independence, identity and health such as:

  • driving lessons
  • essential basic furniture and household items
  • counselling
  • health services or equipment not covered by existing government funding.

Developmental opportunities

Grants can support young people to re-engage in learning or earning to successfully achieve educational or vocational outcomes. Previous grants have provided:

  • pre-vocational courses
  • computers and software to assist with study and gaining employment
  • textbooks
  • business expenses
  • study opportunities, workshops and conferences
  • tools for apprenticeships.

Please read the 2024 grant program guidelines (PDF, 3.6 MB) for essential information regarding the grant program.

To apply for a grant, please use the online application form.

For support in navigating this portal please read our Online grant portal - help guide (PDF, 1.8 MB)

Alternatively, if you would like to be provided a hard-copy of the application form, please reach out to us.

Late applications will not be accepted.

Further education grants

Further education grants are available for post-secondary educational costs and associated expenses.

For grants related to further education, applications will be considered outside of the normal grant rounds (where the timing of the next grant round is too late). Please contact the Executive Officer for further information.

The information you provide when applying for a grant is kept confidential.

It will take several weeks after the close of the funding round for all applications to be assessed. Please take this into account when applying for funds. If you require funds urgently, you may need to find an alternative source of funding.

When final decisions are made, you will receive a letter advising you of the outcome of your application.

If your contact details change, please advise the Dame Roma Mitchell Grants Executive Officer so that you can be notified.

How applications are considered

All eligible applications received by the closing date will be assessed by the Dame Roma Mitchell Grants Board.

Priority will be given to applications that would not generally be eligible for funding from another grant, scheme or funding source. The Board will also take into account the applicant's history of approved Dame Roma Mitchell Grants. If you are applying for more than one item, the board will assume that you have put the most important item first.

If your application is unsuccessful, this is not a reflection on you personally. The Board only has a limited amount of funds it can grant in each round of funding. It may be that you have applied for something the Board cannot fund or may have funded you for previously.

The Trust funds are managed by the Public Trustee, with the operational support provided by the Department for Child Protection.

The Dame Roma Mitchell Grants are governed by a Board who reports to the Minister for Child Protection. All Board members are volunteers and receive no remuneration.

Board members come from a variety of backgrounds including young people who have been in the care system.

You can support the Dame Roma Mitchell grants by:

  • participating in a workplace giving program.
  • making a tax deductible donation.

to make a one-off tax deductible donation, please see below deposit information;

Financial Institution

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

BSB Number

065266

Branch

96 King William Street

Account Number

10000856

Account Name

Account Public Trustee –

Description or notes

Public Trustee DRMF ref: 0393398

To participate in a regular work place giving donation program, please contact the Executive Officer.

Contact

The Executive Officer
Dame Roma Mitchell Grants

Phone: 1300 650 971
Email: dcpdrmtrust@sa.gov.au