Supporting communities to strengthen disaster resilience: NAB Foundation announces new grant recipients

18.12.2025

• $1.2m in community grants given to organisations across Australia this year

• Grants to help communities to withstand and recover from natural disasters

A drone to assist police and rescue teams in land and river searches, a netgun to safely capture injured wildlife, and programs empowering young people to support disaster recovery, are among the initiatives receiving a boost through NAB Foundation's Community Grants program.

NAB Foundation has today recognised the important work of 23 organisations across Australia by granting $625,000 to projects that will help communities to withstand and recover from natural disasters through the second round of its annual Community Grants program.

The grants support various aspects of disaster recovery and preparedness, including training and planning, environment and wildlife, community recovery, and infrastructure development.

NAB Retail Executive Paul Carter said: "This year many of our communities across Australia were impacted by floods, fires, cyclones and severe storms. For many of these areas, the road to recovery is still a long way ahead.

"Local organisations are the backbone of disaster recovery, often working tirelessly for months, even years, to help these communities recover.

"These grants give these organisations the backing they need to keep doing what they do best; supporting their communities during a disaster and driving real, lasting recovery."

NAB Foundation's Community Grants program was designed to help local communities strengthen their resilience and enhance their recovery efforts, awarding $1.2m each year.

The program is part of NAB Ready Together, an initiative that helps customers, colleagues and their communities withstand natural disasters. Since 2021, 418 projects across Australia have so far benefited from $5.8 million worth of community grants.

Walking Taller: Empowering Young People After Disaster

BackTrack helps young people step up in disaster hit communities. Through BackTrack Works, young people doing it tough get real hands-on experience while helping rebuild after fires, floods and storms.

With a $50,000 grant from NAB Foundation, BackTrack's crews can get on the ground faster, fixing fencing and access roads, protecting livestock and local environments, and proving just how much these young people have to offer.

"This grant will help our young people and the communities they work in walk taller. It shows a much bigger community believes in them," said Marcus Watson, BackTrack CEO.

In 2026, as BackTrack turns 20, the focus is on empowering program graduates to take the lead and shape the organisation's longterm future. For more information, visit www.backtrack.org.au.

Protecting Sea Country for Future Generations

The PuipiKak Malu Indigenous Corporation is leading work across the Torres Strait to restore coastal ecosystems, build conservation skills, and strengthen community-based programs on-Country and Sea-Country.

With a $50,000 NAB Foundation grant, they'll deliver accredited on-Country training with partners like Totalai Land & Sea Indigenous Corporation and Envirotech Education, helping communities build climate resilience through Indigenous led, nature-based solutions.

"This support recognises the strength of Indigenous led work and helps us grow culturally grounded training, youth pathways, and climate resilience," said Loretta Pele Glanville, PuipiKak Malu Chairwoman.

Looking ahead, the organisation and partners aim to strengthen to back grassroots groups, grow youth leadership, and bring Torres Strait Islanders together through place-based accredited training and stewardship, to protect Sea Country for generations to come.

"It's about a united, empowered region where our people confidently care for Sea Country and shape their own sustainable future," said Loretta Pele Glanville, PuipiKak Malu Chairwoman.

For more information, visit https://www.puipikakmalu.org/

The next round of Community Grants will be open for applications in February 2026.

Notes:

Community Grant Recipients by State:

NSW: BackTrack Works Ltd (Armidale), Muslim Community Radio (Chester Hill), Rock Valley Hall Incorporated (Rock Valley), Taree Volunteer Rescue Association Inc (Taree), Veterans Centre Mid North Coast (Coffs Harbour)

NT: Hold Access Pty Ltd (Bellamack), Northern Territory SES Volunteer Association Incorporated (Wishart), Woollybutt Wildlife Rescue (Berry Springs)

QLD: 4 Voices Global Limited (Morningside), Cancer Council Queensland (Fortitude Valley), City Ventures Ltd (Townsville City), DV Safe Phone Ltd (Mooloolaba), Envirotech Education Pty Ltd (Gold Coast), LifeFlight Foundation Ltd (Robina The Puipikak Malu Indigenous Corporation (Torres Strait)

SA: Kungari Association (Reedy Creek)

TAS: Wildlife Network Tasmania (Lauderdale)

VIC: Country Fire Authority (Axe Creek), SecondBite (Abbotsford), Victorian No-Till Farmers Association (Mount Rowan), Victoria State Emergency Service Cobram Unit (Cobram)

WA: Banjima Native Title Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC (East Perth), Kimberley Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (Broome)