Dementia Australia launches Diversity Grant Program

Dementia Australia has today launched its 2025 Diversity Small Grant program to support community organisations to build awareness and understanding of dementia in Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.  

Applications are now open for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse organisations and community groups to apply for up to $30,000 in funding for activities to create awareness and improved understanding about dementia in their communities.

Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan said the 2025 Diversity Small Grant program comes at a time when dementia prevalence rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are approximately 3-5 times higher than that of the general Australian population and at least 28 per cent of people living with dementia in Australia were born in a non-English speaking country.

“Dementia Australia’s 2025 Diversity Small Grant program is part of our commitment to facilitating equity of access to dementia information and support,” Professor Buchanan said.  

“Following unprecedented demand and more than 200 applications in 2024, we are proud to offer the Diversity Small Grant program for a second year.”  

The 2024 inaugural Diversity Small Grant program saw Dementia Australia award more than $320,000 to 11 Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse organisations and groups from across the country.  

Diversity Small Grant recipient and Philippine Educational Theatre Artists of Western Australia Director Mr Benito Chan is strongly encouraging others to apply after his organisation was able to use funding to produce a play which aimed to raise awareness of dementia within the Filipino community.  

“In our play “The Moon and the Bakunawa”, I wanted to pay tribute to my mother who lived with vascular dementia,” Mr Chan said.  

“I wrote this play to help raise awareness of dementia and it was funded by a Dementia Australia Diversity Small Grant awarded last year. The grant helped us put on shows in both Perth and Sydney and it was a creative way to try and build greater understanding of dementia within our community.”  

Alongside up to $30,000 in funding, successful recipients will receive a complimentary dementia education session as well as ongoing support and guidance from Dementia Australia.  

The Diversity Small Grant program is a Dementia Australia initiative funded by the Australian Federal Government.  

Applications are open now and close Wednesday 13 August 2025. For more information and to apply visit dementia.org.au/diversitygrants

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Dementia Australia is the source of trusted information, education and services for the estimated more than 433,300 Australians living with dementia, and the more than 1.7 million people involved in their care. We advocate for positive change and support vital research. We are here to support people impacted by dementia, and to enable them to live as well as possible. No matter how you are impacted by dementia or who you are, we are here for you.

For support, please contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. An interpreter service is available. The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government. People looking for information can also visit dementia.org.au  

Media contacts: David Gear, 0435 515 221, david.gear@dementia.org.au 

When talking or writing about dementia please refer to Dementia-Friendly Language Guidelines. 

Note to Editors:

We request, where possible, details for the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 appear alongside news stories about dementia, as these stories often prompt questions or concerns:  

If this story has prompted any questions or concerns, please call the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 (24 hours, 7 days a week) or visit dementia.org.au.