Working capital grants programme terms
Read these terms before applying. Submitting an application means you have read and accepted these terms. Applications close 30 June 2026 (23:59 AEST).
Two separate offers
🇦🇺 Australian programme
Up to AUD$10,000 per recipient. Total programme cap AUD$150,000. Direct Charitable Working Capital Agreement (CWCA) between Elevate.gift (operated by Elevate Foundation, a registered Australian charity) and the recipient charity. ACNC registration required. Recoverable structure: principal returned to the donor pool from a future revenue event on the agreed schedule.
🇺🇸 US programme
Up to USD$25,000–30,000 per recipient (chosen by applicant within the band). Total programme cap USD$100,000. Routed via a partner US Donor Advised Fund (DAF) custodian using a recoverable-grant structure. Active 501(c)(3) status (or qualifying fiscal-sponsorship) required. Recoverable: principal returned via the DAF on the agreed schedule.
The advance is not a grant or donation. It is a recoverable working capital advance the recipient is expected to repay from a future revenue cycle, in line with the agreement signed at deployment. If the recipient is unable to repay, the advance will be treated as a one-off charitable grant at Elevate's discretion (AU) or the DAF custodian's discretion (USA). There is no debt registration, no personal guarantee, and no claim over recipient assets.
Who can apply
Australian track
- Registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) at the time of application; valid ACNC registration number.
- DGR or non-DGR endorsement both eligible. Non-DGR applicants understand the advance is not tax-deductible to the donor pool but is still recoverable.
- Have a clearly identifiable bridge use of AUD$10,000 (not general operating cash).
- Plausible recovery plan — a future revenue event the advance unlocks.
US track
- Active 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (in good standing, current EIN), or qualifying fiscal-sponsorship arrangement with an active 501(c)(3).
- Eligible to receive recoverable grants via a US Donor Advised Fund (DAF) structure (Elevate routes through a partner DAF custodian).
- Have a clearly identifiable bridge use of USD$25,000–30,000.
- Plausible recovery plan.
Both tracks
- One application per organisation per programme.
- Application must be submitted by an authorised representative.
- Selected recipients agree to share their story publicly (with reasonable review of language) so the case study can be used to attract further recoverable capital into the pool.
How recipients are chosen
Selection is merit-based, not random. Elevate reviews applications and selects against four criteria:
- Clarity of the bridge purpose
- Realistic plan to repay from a future revenue cycle
- Story strength — case-study value
- Geographic + sector diversity (we may favour an applicant in an under-served region or sector, all else equal)
Because selection is merit-based, the programme is not a trade-promotion lottery and does not require state-by-state permits in Australia. There is no drawing of names, ballots, or randomised selection.
Timeline
- Applications open: from launch (May 2026)
- Applications close: 30 June 2026 (23:59 AEST)
- Recipients announced: within 3 weeks of close (late July 2026), by direct email and a public announcement
- Funds disbursed: within 4 weeks of selection, on signing the recoverable agreement (CWCA for AU; DAF agreement for USA)
What recipients agree to
AU recipients sign a Charitable Working Capital Agreement (CWCA) with Elevate (template available on request before signing). The CWCA sets out: the bridge purpose, the recovery trigger (the future revenue event), the recovery schedule, and a fall-back clause if recovery is not achievable.
US recipients sign a recoverable-grant agreement with the partner DAF custodian who routes the funds. Same intent, structured to comply with US 501(c)(3) and DAF rules.
In both cases, recovery is intended but not legally enforced as debt. If revenue does not materialise, the advance becomes a regular grant — what would have happened anyway.
How your application is handled
Application data (organisation details, contact info, ABN/EIN, ACNC/501(c)(3) status, use of funds, recovery plan) is held by Elevate.gift in line with our privacy policy. Data is reviewed only by the Elevate selection panel and (for the US track) the partner DAF custodian.
If you are not selected, your application data is retained for 12 months in case future recoverable-capital opportunities arise that match. You can request deletion at any time by emailing hello@elevate.gift.
If you are selected, you agree to your organisation's name being announced publicly and your story being shared (subject to your reasonable review of language).
Fine print
- Elevate reserves the right to modify these terms or discontinue the programme at any time.
- Elevate's decision on selection is final. Unsuccessful applicants will not be entitled to feedback unless specifically offered.
- Total amount disbursed will not exceed AUD$150,000 in the AU programme or USD$100,000 in the US programme. Elevate may select fewer recipients than the cap allows if applications do not meet the merit criteria.
- This programme is general information only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice.
- Governing law: New South Wales, Australia (for the AU track) and the State of the partner DAF custodian (for the US track).
Questions: email hello@elevate.gift before applying.