The Pilliga Fund

For Wild Places created the Pilliga Fund to share funds raised through the Pilliga Ultra with the people, community groups and organisations working to celebrate and protect the Pilliga Forest. Many of these people contribute their own time, energy and resources to caring for Country, building community understanding and standing up for this extraordinary place.

Through the Fund, we aim to support locally connected work that helps more people experience, understand, celebrate and protect the Pilliga.

Expressions of Interest are now open for the Pilliga Fund 2025 grant round. This round distributes funds generated through the 2025 Pilliga Ultra.

A total of $3,469.82 is available. Applicants may request part or all of the available pool. Depending on the applications received, the Fund may support one or more projects.

The Expression of Interest is deliberately short. It is not a full grant application;  it helps us understand your work, its connection to the Pilliga and what you would like the Fund to support. A shortlist of applicants will then be invited to submit a fuller application.

• Expressions of Interest open: Monday 10 August 2026
• Expressions of Interest close: Sunday 30 August 2026
• Invitations to submit a full application sent: Monday 31 August 2026
• Full applications due: Sunday 27 September 2026
• Successful applicants notified: from Monday 5 October 2026

The Pilliga Fund supports work with a positive impact in at least one of the following areas:

• Increasing nature-based tourism that highlights the significance of the Pilliga and encourages people to spend time in the forest and surrounding communities.
• Educating people about the Pilliga Forest’s flora, fauna, geology, history and environmental significance, and building understanding of why the forest should be protected.
• First Nations- or Traditional Owner-led initiatives that celebrate connection to Country and create opportunities to share, celebrate and deepen Gomeroi culture and understanding.

Step 1 — Expression of Interest — Complete a short form telling us about your work, its connection to the Pilliga and what you would like the Fund to support.

Step 2 — Full application (by invitation) — A shortlist of applicants will be invited by email to submit a fuller application. The application will ask for a little more detail on the proposed work, outcomes, timeline and budget.

Step 3 — Review — The For Wild Places Board and advisors will review applications. Conflicts of interest must be disclosed and managed. Shortlisted applications will/may be discussed with experts from the community, particularly First Nations, to help inform final outcomes.

Step 4 — Notification — All applicants will be notified by email. We will speak with successful applicants directly where possible before funding is finalised.

We will consider:

• Alignment with For Wild Places’ purpose and values
• Connection, relationships and credibility within communities in and around the Pilliga
• Likely positive environmental, cultural, campaign or community outcomes
• Creative and effective ways to celebrate, connect people with or protect the Pilliga
• Whether the available funding can make a meaningful difference
• First Nations leadership and/or meaningful engagement, where relevant
• Willingness to connect with the Pilliga Ultra or wider For Wild Places community, where practical

We aim to balance impact with accessibility: enough information to make a good decision, without making a small grant process complicated or restrictive.

For Wild Places Foundation Limited is a registered charity. We may support lawful advocacy and campaigning where it furthers our charitable purpose, including advocacy for or against changes to laws, policies or practices, public awareness campaigns, submissions to government processes and issue-based research.

We cannot fund activities that:

• are unlawful or contrary to public policy
• promote or oppose a political party or candidate for political office
• would otherwise be inconsistent with For Wild Places’ charitable purpose or legal obligations.

For more information, see the ACNC guidance on charities, campaigning and advocacy.

Questions about the Pilliga Fund? Contact us at hello@forwildplaces.com.