Kickstarter program
Grant applications for Rounds 1 and 2 of the Kickstarter program have concluded. Round 3 will be announced in 2026.
The Queensland Government is following through with its commitment to restore safety where you live by delivering new, community-led early intervention programs to prevent youth crime
The Kickstarter program will trial the best, new initiatives for at-risk youth showing early signs of criminal behaviour and re-engage them with education, training and the community.
Find a local Kickstarter program
Across four years, a total of $50 million in funding will be committed to the program.
Grants of up to $300,000 (excl. GST) will be available to initiatives that focus on:
- reducing crime
- re-engaging youth with education, training, or employment
- boosting participation in the community
- repairing relationships with family.
Funded initiatives will address the underlining causes of disengagement, anti-social or criminal behaviour and provide youth with support, connections and guidance to get them back on track.
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Who we are looking for
Grant applications for Rounds 1 and 2 have concluded. Round 3 will be announced in 2026.
Kickstarter grants are for organisations that deliver community-led initiatives focused on reducing youth crime, boosting education, and providing training, or employment for at-risk youths. Applicants must show their program can effectively address these priorities.
An ideal proposal will include:
- a pro-social, activity-based engagement or concept for individuals and groups aged 8 to 17 years old
and be:- targeted at prevention and early intervention responses
- aimed at reducing youth crime and boosting education
- provide training, and/or employment pathways for youths
- a response to local youth crime matters in your community, including how your idea/project aligns with community need
- a demonstration of how your idea/project addresses anti-social behaviour and improves community safety
- a performance and outcomes measure that reflects the needs and aspirations of youths in the community.
Programs demonstrating measurable positive impact may be eligible for ongoing funding.
Application process
Kickstarter Round 3 grants will open in 2026.
To help you prepare, consider the following:
- Read the Round 2 Kickstarter program information and guidelines (PDF, 446KB) to understand the eligibility and program funding guidelines. The final guidelines will be available when Round 3 grants open.
- Read our step-by-step guide.
- Consider how your proposal aligns with community needs, including:
- how your proposal specifically addresses the identified risks and needs of the youths in the community
- how your idea/project will deliver a response, either directly or through referrals
- evidence of how your proposal will reduce anti-social behaviour, youth crime, and improve community safety
- who will be involved in the delivery of your response, and evidence of their commitment.
Round 3 grant applications must be completed and submitted online via the SmartyGrants website, which will open when Round 3 begins.
You will receive an acknowledgement email from SmartyGrants once you submit your application. If you don't receive an acknowledgement email, your application has not been submitted.
The SmartyGrants system will automatically shut off at midday on the closing dates of each round and will not allow applications to be submitted.
Further information
For further information, contact us at YJ_Grants@youthjustice.qld.gov.au.
Successful applicants for Round 1 2024-25
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Accer Care Pty Ltd
Project: YD Project
A 12-week early intervention initiative aimed at empowering Indigenous youth aged 8–17 years through individualised case management, mentoring, and cultural activities aimed at fostering positive life choices.
Location: Brisbane
ARC Parenting
Project: Parenting on the ARC Workshop
This is a 12-month trauma-informed, psychoeducational initiative designed to support parents and caregivers of at-risk children and youth aged 8–17. It provides evidence-based tools to enhance emotional regulation, reduce family conflict, and strengthen relationships.
Location: Brisbane
Indigenous Mana Limited
Project: Indigenous Mana Academy
Indigenous Mana Academy is a 12-month program for youths aged 10–17 in the Moreton Bay Region using rugby league, mentorship, and cultural activities to re-engage at-risk youth back into education, reduce anti-social behaviour, and strengthen family and community connections. Delivered in partnership with First Nations businesses and Elders, the program will offer a range of supports including rugby training sessions, mentoring, cultural camps, and family engagement sessions.
Location: Moreton Bay
Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation
Project: Onwards & Upwards Wellbeing Mentoring program
Supporting youths aged 12–17 years, this 12-month initiative focuses on Indigenous participants through personalised mentoring, run coaching, and education in well-being, leadership, and vocational skills.
Location: Brisbane
Lutheran Church of Queensland
Project: Compass - Moreton Bay
Compass provides support for 10–17-year-old youths and their families through tailored case coordination and community engagement over a 12-month period to address underlying needs, strengthen emotional regulation and social-emotional wellbeing.
Location: Moreton Bay
Redcliffe Area Youth Space Incorporated
Project: PIVOT (Prevention and InterVention for Offending Teens)
This program offers trauma-informed case management, mentoring, education support, pathways to employment, and pro-social activities to help reduce youth crime and antisocial behaviour.
Location: Moreton Bay
Queensland Blue Light Association Incorporated
Project: Blue Edge Brisbane and Moreton Bay
This eight-week program enhances mental and physical wellbeing, building leadership and resilience, and reducing low-level crime through positive behaviours and community connections.
Location: Brisbane
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Fight 4 Youth
Project: Positive Pathways Toolkit
An early intervention program for 8–17-year-old youths, teaching emotional regulation, decision-making skills and resilience, addressing peer pressure, substance use, and fostering positive community engagement.
Location: Gold Coast
Gunya Meta
Project: Strong Warriors, Strong Future
This culturally-led project provides an opportunity for 20 First Nations youths aged 10–17 to strengthen cultural identity, kinship, and family inclusion over an 18-month program.
Location: Logan
Kirrawe Indigenous Corporation
Project: Walama Ngurra Bangaba: Returning home building futures
This is a 12-month trauma-informed program for First Nations youth aged 8–17, focusing on re-engaging them with education, training, or employment while strengthening cultural and community connections.
Location: Brisbane, Logan, and Gold Coast
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Queensland) Limited
Project: Tails of Change
A two-year early intervention program using hands-on animal care to help disengaged youth aged 11–17 years to build empathy, emotional regulation, and pro-social behaviours, reducing the risk of offending.
Location: Brisbane and Logan
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Adapt Mentorship Indigenous Corporation
Project: Adapt Youth Mentorship Program
This 12-month program will deliver culturally responsive mentoring, creative activities, and tailored support to reduce crime and promote positive behaviour for First Nations youth aged 8-17.
Location: Toowoomba
Downs Industry Schools Co-operation Incorporate
Project: Step Up Now (SUN)
SUN is a 5-month program that will support at-risk youth to develop life skills, resilience, and to transition into education, employment, or training.
Location: Toowoomba
Dynamic Community Care Pty Ltd
Project: The Durungal Program
An eight-week intervention for youths aged 10–17 years, focusing on non-violent conflict resolution, aggression reduction, and social skills development through weekly or fortnightly face-to-face sessions delivered by a qualified facilitator in a confidential setting.
Location: Ipswich and Toowoomba
Legacy Connect (Cultural Wellbeing Services)
Project: Legacy Cultural Youth Program (Springfield Lakes)
This two-year, trauma-informed initiative supports at-risk Pasifika, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), and Indigenous youths aged 10–17 years in Ipswich and West Moreton through culturally grounded workshops and one-on-one mentoring.
Location: Ipswich
Village Support Limited
Project: Where We All Belong
This program will support youth and their families, working in partnership with schools to deliver tailored supports, combining sports, cultural programs, career workshops, and family forums to reduce offending behaviour.
Location: Toowoomba
V.I.T.A.L. Projex
Project: STRONG Futures (Strength, Trust, Respect, Opportunity, New Ground)
STRONG Futures is a 12-month, trauma-informed early intervention program delivered in four 10-week cohorts to provide youths aged 10–17 years the opportunity to improve anti-social behaviour and reduce reoffending.
Location: Ipswich
Youth Retreat Centre
Project: Reconnect with Culture and Community
An outreach program in Ipswich offering intensive case management over 12-months, including mentoring, and tailored referrals to support First Nations and general youth aged 14–17 years.
Location: Ipswich
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Brodie Germaine Fitness Aboriginal Corporation
Project: CAMPFIRE – Cultural Advancement and Mentoring Program
This 18-month program is led by Elders, cultural leaders, and trained mentors to strengthen cultural identity, emotional regulation, and positive relationships while re-engaging youth with education and employment.
Location: Bouila, Doomadgee, Mount Isa
Family and Childrens Emerging Support Services
Project: The Youth Leadership program
The Youth Leadership program provides support for 12–17-year-olds through cultural mentoring, mental health and housing support, as well as life skills education, including literacy, hygiene, and budgeting.
Location: Mackay
NQ Ummah Care
Project: Pathways to Engagement (PE) for Culturally Diverse Youth
This program provides 16 months’ of support to youth from migrant backgrounds, empowering at-risk youth to make positive life choices through soccer-based activities, life skill workshops and mentorship, preventing youth offending, and improving education and employment outcomes.
Location: Townsville
Mudth-Niyleta Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation
Project: Youth Wellbeing
This program offers support to disengaged, homeless, or at-risk youth aged 8–17 years to re-engage with education, employment, and the community through case management care plans, referrals to allied health services, mentorship and networking opportunities.
Location: Mackay
Silver Lining Foundation
Project: Out of Hours Support program
Delivered by First Nations mentors, the Out of Hours Support program provides activity-based mentoring for 8–17-year-olds over 16 months, offering structured support during weekends, afternoons, and school holidays to reduce criminal behaviour by engaging youth in positive, culturally appropriate activities and fostering pro-social connections.
Location: Townsville
Townsville Fire Limited
Project: Pathways to Empowerment - Building Brighter Futures for at-risk youth
Participants will undertake a 10-week program, including weekly basketball training and mentoring sessions with Townsville Fire athletes. This program offers a range of supports to young people aged 10-17 years in the Townsville region, combining sport-based activities, mentoring, life skills workshops, and cultural interventions to re-engage at-risk youth back into education, the community, and future pathways.
Location: Townsville
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Aspire Cairns Community Limited
Project: Learn, Lead, Play and Thrive – Where Sport Fuels Success
A sport-for-development model that prioritises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth, girls, and underrepresented groups aged 8–17 years, focusing on physical activity, cultural connection, education support, and mentoring to build resilience, foster community connections, and improve outcomes.
Location: Cairns
Australian Training Works Group Pty Ltd
Project: The Rebuild Project
The Rebuild project supports youth aged 15-17 years to build skills and contribute to community through a structured program including daily mechanical training and free repair services for residents in need, fostering positive pathways, community connection, and a sense of purpose for participants.
Location: Cairns
Bori Muy Limited
Project: Connecting The Dots Youth Program
This is a 12-week initiative supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth aged 8–17 yeas through one-on-one mentoring, culturally safe health workshops, and pro-social community activities, including “On Country” cultural camps.
Location: Cairns
Desert Pea Association Inc
Project: CROSSROADS – Kuranda
A 12-month program targeting at-risk Indigenous youth aged 12–17, using digital media and cultural frameworks to address anti-social behaviour and disconnection.
Location: Mareeba
Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation
Project: Jabalbina On Country Cultural Workshops
This workshop provides a 12-week program of cultural activities for at-risk 10–17-year-olds, including storytelling, bush skills, and artifact making.
Location: Cairns
Prosocial Skills Development
Project: Mastering Me
Master Me is a one year long early intervention program supporting youths aged 8–17 years with emerging antisocial behaviours by combining mentoring, activity-based learning, and prosocial skills development to foster emotional regulation, build relationships, and create a supportive therapeutic community.
Location: Cairns
Thrive and Connect
Project: Thrive Guiding
Thrive Guiding will support youth aged 10–14 years in the Cairns region over 13 months. With four 10-week intensive sessions, the program provides one-on-one mentoring and team building exercises to build cultural identity, belonging, and pathways to education, training, and community.
Location: Cairns
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