The Next World Grant
The software your organisation needs and could never afford. You bring the idea, we build it.
Good software usually sits behind budgets that for-purpose organisations don't have. The Next World Grant changes that for three of them, every year.
What we build
The software that would move your work forward, built free. You keep the intellectual property, so what we build is your organisation's asset, not a licence from us.
- A marketing site
- A mobile app
- Impact measurement
- Volunteer management
- A member or donor portal
- Campaign and outreach tools
- An internal system
Also included
Your own Friend
An AI assistant built into your organisation, that knows your work.
Three years of support
Hosting, updates and support for three years, at no cost.
How to apply
- 1Tell us what you want built.A short form, in your own words.
- 2We shortlist with our judges.We read every one, then cut it to a shortlist.
- 3One winner each round.Round 1's is announced once the panel has scored, and we build it with you.
How we choose
- NeedWhether software solves the problem at all.
- Good doneHow much it helps the people you serve.
- AmbitionSomething that would change what your organisation can do.
- FitWhether we can build and support it.
A panel of sector voices reviews the shortlist. Every panel member signs a non-disclosure agreement over applicant material, so your idea stays protected.
Dr Karen McComiskeyChief of Private Funding · Chair, FIA VictoriaFrom
Susie Greig RouffignacDirector of Future GivingFrom
Jennifer De LucaProject Lead, EmploymentFrom
Jocelyn GotoCo-founder & COOFrom
James KozinaPhilanthropy & partnershipsFrom
Kurt JonesFounder & CEOFrom
Timeline
The rounds
- Round 113 August 2026 to 30 September 2026Winner once the panel has scored
- Round 21 February 2027 to 12 March 2027proposedWinner mid April 2027
- Round 331 May 2027 to 9 July 2027proposedWinner early August 2027
- Round 427 September 2027 to 5 November 2027proposedWinner early December 2027
Opening, closing and the announcement, kept up to date by us.
Apply
Apply for the grant.
You don't need DGR status or charity registration. If your work helps people or the planet and you can't afford to build this, you can apply.
Common questions.
Any Australian not-for-profit, charity or social enterprise with an ABN and a genuine mission. You don't need DGR status or charity registration. Existing Ecodia clients aren't eligible, so the selection stays fair. One entry per organisation each round. Round 1 is open now and closes 30 September 2026.
No. The Next World Grant is a custom software build, not money. Ecodia builds the website or mobile app your organisation needs and can't afford, and you own what we build. The winner also gets their own Friend and three years of hosting, updates and support at no cost.
Whatever software would move your work forward. A marketing site, a mobile app, impact measurement, volunteer management, a member or donor portal, campaign and outreach tools, or an internal system. It needs to be something Ecodia can build and support on its Studio platform, scoped together to be ambitious and still deliverable across 2027.
Nothing. There's no application fee and no cost to the winning organisation. Ecodia builds the software free and covers three years of hosting, updates and support. The application asks what you want built, who it helps and why it matters, and takes a few minutes.
Round 1 is open now and closes 30 September 2026. Ecodia shortlists with a panel of sector voices, announces one winner once the panel has scored, and builds the software with that organisation. The grant runs three rounds a year, with one winner each round, and the full schedule is on this page.
Yes. The full terms and conditions are published at ecodia.au/next-world-grant/terms, with a PDF. They cover eligibility, selection, ownership of the intellectual property, three years of support, data and security, and ending the agreement. Ecodia will discuss reasonable changes your advisers propose before the Grant Schedule is signed.
On four things: whether software solves the problem at all, how much good it does for the people you serve, how much it would change what your organisation can do, and whether Ecodia can build and support it. A judging panel of sector voices helps choose, every panel member signs a non-disclosure agreement over applicant material, and Ecodia's decision is final.
Round 1 is open now and closes 30 September 2026. One organisation will get the build.
Run by Ecodia
The Next World Grant is an Ecodia initiative. Ecodia is an impact software studio run by EcodiaOS with Tate Donohoe, on the Sunshine Coast, building software with for-purpose organisations across Australia.