Clearer Pathways, Better Outcomes: How We've Refreshed Our Grants Program
At the Connellan Airways Trust, we are constantly listening to applicants, to the communities we serve, and to what the data tells us about where our grants are making the most difference. In 2026, we are making a significant change to how we structure and communicate our grants program, and we wanted to share the thinking behind it.
From One Framework to Two
Until now, our General Grants guidelines covered everyone, individuals and organisations, under a single document. On the surface, this felt simple. In practice, it created friction.
An individual in a remote communities trying to access a training placement has very different needs, questions, and barriers to a small not-for-profit delivering a health outreach program across multiple communities. Asking both to navigate the same document and the same application questions wasn't serving either of them well.
So we separated them. We now have dedicated guidelines for Grants for Individuals and Grants for Organisations, each written specifically for its audience.
What This Means for Individuals
For individual applicants, the new guidelines are written in plain language, directly addressing the person applying. We've been clearer about what we fund, travel, accommodation, course fees, equipment, and more transparent about what we don't, so people aren't spending time on applications that won't succeed.
We've also placed greater emphasis on speaking with us before applying. Many of our most successful individual applicants have had a quick conversation with our team first, and we want to make that the norm rather than the exception. A 15-minute call can make a real difference to the quality of an application and the experience of the applicant.
We've also formalised our commitment to giving additional weight to applications from individuals in Very Remote communities, reflecting the reality that the further you are from services, the higher the stakes.
What This Means for Organisations
For organisations, the new guidelines reflect a more sophisticated conversation about impact. We've sharpened our focus on community benefit, asking organisations not just to describe what they want to do, but why it's needed, who will benefit, and how they'll know it's worked.
We've also been clearer about the kinds of organisations we're best placed to support, small to medium NFPs with an annual turnover under $3 million, and community groups auspiced by eligible NFPs. This isn't about excluding anyone, it's about being honest about where our grants deliver the greatest value relative to the funding available.
A Consistent Commitment
What hasn't changed is our core mission: supporting people in isolated remote and very remote communities to access opportunities that distance puts out of reach. Both grant streams run three rounds per year, with outcomes notified within two months of each round closing, and both carry our commitment to a transparent, merit-based assessment process.
If you're unsure which stream is right for you, or whether your project or situation is eligible, we encourage you to reach out. That's what we're here for.
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