08 September 2025
ActewAGL’s Community Grants program continues to provide much-needed funding to projects that enrich communities in the ACT and surrounding NSW region.
As part of ActewAGL’s long-standing commitment to empowering local communities, eight community groups, not-for-profits and charities have been awarded grants as part of the 2025 program. The selected projects stood out for their clear understanding of community needs and potential to drive meaningful change.
Among the eight diverse projects, notable initiatives included the provision of energy-efficient appliances and furnishings to people transitioning from crisis situations into safe housing, delivery of an Information and Support Day focused on educating and supporting local Canberrans affected by inherited cancer, and supporting community-based programs focused on raising awareness of and preventing domestic and family violence, among others.
“We remain committed to supporting organisations that make a positive impact in our community,” said Megan Willcox, Acting General Manager Retail at ActewAGL. “Since the inception of our Community Grants program in 2020, more than 70 organisations have received funding. These organisations have been able to build or continue programs that directly support people across our region.”
One of this year’s recipients, Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation & Advocacy (CAHMA), supports the health and human rights of people who use drugs and drug treatment services.
Chris Gough, Executive Director of CAHMA, said, "CAHMA’s Peer Treatment Support Service helps people to secure appropriate housing and engage and navigate drug and alcohol treatment services. With ActewAGL’s generosity, we can provide essential whitegoods, like fridges and washing machines, that are not only energy efficient but also life-changing for those who would otherwise go without. This grant means our community members can focus on their health, wellbeing and building their future, knowing they have the basics they need at home to support their health journey and achieve success.”
Nowra Community Food Store, another 2025 Community Grant recipient, is a social enterprise providing low-cost and free grocery items for people doing it tough.
Jemma Tribe, Chair of Nowra Community Food Store at South Nowra, said, "Fresh fruit and vegetables are difficult for us to source, so we are thrilled that ActewAGL is partnering with us to deliver our 'Grow a Row' initiative. This will help us bring our store garden to life and empower the community to be involved by taking seedlings each quarter to plant at home and donate a row of their crop.”
2025 ActewAGL Community Grants recipients:
• Inherited Cancers Australia
• Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation & Advocacy (CAHMA)
• Broulee Surfers Surf Life Saving Club
• Southern Women's Group Incorporated
• Australian Agricultural Centre Ltd.
• Treehouse Queanbeyan Inc.
• Nowra Community Food Store
• Sonder Youth Ltd.
These organisations received between $7,000 and $30,000 to support a variety of initiatives. ActewAGL proudly supports a broad range of local community groups, industry partners and sustainability initiatives, providing charitable grants and supporting various other mutually beneficial community programs.
To learn more about this and other ActewAGL community engagement programs, visit www.actewagl.com.au/about/community
Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation & Advocacy (CAHMA) staff members delivering essential whitegoods. Photo supplied by CAHMA.
Nowra Community Food Store, a social enterprise providing low cost and free grocery items for anyone doing it tough. Photo supplied by Nowra Community Food Store.
