The Big Difference

Chobani Australia’s grants program backing community-led projects addressing food insecurity in Victoria

Guidelines
FAQs

The Big Difference

Chobani Australia’s grants program backing community-led projects addressing food insecurity in Victoria

Guidelines
FAQs

Food should be a source of connection, nourishment and dignity — not stress. The Big Difference backs practical, community-led projects addressing food insecurity in Victoria, supporting work that improves food access and strengthens the systems behind it — from tools and infrastructure to scalable models and long term sustainability.

Key Dates

The Big Difference grants program is currently closed.

Stage 1: The Big Pitch

  • Applications open: Tuesday 14  July 2026 (9:00am AEST)
  • Applications close: Tuesday 25 August 2026 (5:00pm AEST) 

Stage 2: The Shortlist

  • Shortlisted applicants notified: Wednesday 16 September 2026
  • Questionnaire due: Tuesday 6 October 2026

Stage 3: The Interviews

  • Interview period: Early November  2026

The Finale

  • Successful applicants notified: November 2026

Want a quick overview ofThe Big Difference?

Watch our short explainer to see how a simple idea, backed with the right support, can spark powerful change.

Want a quick overview ofThe Big Difference?

Watch our short explainer to see how a simple idea, backed with the right support, can spark powerful change.

Ready to Apply?

If your project addresses food insecurity in Victoria, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now

Meet our 2025 Recipients

  • Capel Sound Community Hub

    Location: Capel Sound, Mornington Peninsula Shire (VIC)
    Grant: $20,000 — expand the community garden to increase fresh produce supply for the food pantry and community café
    Focus area: Build Capacity
    Impact proof: Supports affordable, nutritious food for 100+ families weekly

    We’re seeing more people in our community needing support as they navigate rising living costs and everyday life pressures. This grant allows us to grow fresh, seasonal produce right here at the Hub for our pantry and cafe, helping make healthy food more accessible. It also creates a space where people can come together, learn new skills and feel a sense of belonging.
    Isobel Parker, Community House Manager

  • Southern Peninsula Community Support

    Location: Rosebud, Mornington Peninsula Shire (VIC)
    Grant: $30,000 — pantry/kitchen upgrade to better meet demand and increase food support capacity
    Focus area: Build Capacity
    Impact proof: Supports 250–280 people per week with food and material

    Demand for food support is rising so quickly, and too often our region is overlooked. This grant is a big vote of confidence — it says Chobani believes in our community, and it gives us the chance to respond to a crisis level of need with solutions that actually last.
    Jeremy Maxwell, CEO

  • Outer East Foodshare

    Location: Wantirna (Knox) + servicing Outer East incl. Yarra Ranges, Knox, Maroondah
    Grant: $30,000 — establish a new food hub in the Yarra Ranges, improving food collection and distribution across the region
    Focus area: Scaling proven models
    Impact proof: Delivered 264 tonnes of food (over 1 million meals) last financial year

    This grant helps us bring forward our plans to open a second hub in the Yarra Ranges. Demand for food relief across the Outer East continues to grow, and expanding our hub model will make it easier for local agencies to access food without travelling long distances. The funding gets us closer to reaching more people with consistent, reliable support.
    John Csorgo, Chair

  • Echuca Neighbourhood House

    Location: Echuca, Campaspe Shire (VIC)
    Grant: $50,000 — install a cool room and freezer; increase storage capacity to triple fresh food output and reduce waste by up to 30%
    Focus area: New Ideas & Programs

    We’re seeing more people in our region needing support — and food insecurity isn’t always visible. This funding gives us the infrastructure we’ve needed for a long time: a cool room and freezer so we can accept and store more fresh food, reduce waste, and respond more reliably when demand spikes. It also helps us launch our community cooking program, bringing schools, clubs and local businesses together to prepare meals for people doing it tough. It’s about more than food — it’s about dignity, connection, and making sure people don’t fall through the cracks.
    Sarah Peake, Manager

Keen to know more?

The Big Difference is a new way Chobani is showing up for communities. Through targeted grants of up to $50,000, we’re helping local organisations address food insecurity in innovative, lasting ways — from building capacity to scaling what already works. This is our way of using food as a force for good.

You’re eligible to apply if:

• You’re a not for profit, social enterprise, or non distributing co operative
• Your project directly addresses food insecurity and will be delivered fully within Victoria
• You have an active ABN and an Australian bank account in the organisation’s name

Download full eligibility guide

The Big Difference grants program is currently closed.

We’re focused on long-term impact, not short-term food relief. Your project must fit into one of these areas:

  • Build Capacity: Strengthening your operations or services to better address food insecurity
  • Innovation & Growth: Developing new ideas, piloting new approaches, or expanding early-stage initiatives
  • Scaling: Growing or replicating an existing model already delivering impact
  • Organisational Resilience: Creating sustainable improvements that help your organisation thrive long term.

Who can apply?
Not-for-profit organisations, Co-operatives and Social Enterprises working on a project that helps reduce food insecurity.
You don’t need to be solely focused on food relief — as long as the project you’re applying for contributes meaningfully to improving food access, you’re eligible.
For more details, see our website and Guidelines here

Does our organisation need to be a registered charity?
Not necessarily. We welcome applications from charities, co-operatives, social enterprises, and other not-for-profit organisations. Check our program Guidelines for more information.
You must be able to provide appropriate documentation and demonstrate alignment with the program’s purpose.

Can we apply through a third-party or use an auspice?
No. The program is designed to provide grants directly to the organisations delivering the work. Applications submitted through third-party or auspice arrangements will not be considered

How do you define Food Insecurity?
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations defines food insecurity as a lack of regular access to enough safe and nutritious food for healthy growth, development, and an active life. This may be due to food being unavailable or a lack of resources to obtain it. Food insecurity can range in severity from mild to severe.

I’m a social enterprise—am I eligible to apply for funding?
Yes, your social enterprise is eligible if:

  • Your enterprise directly addresses food insecurity
  • You reinvest more than 50% of profits from goods or services back into your core mission
  • Profits are not distributed to private shareholders
  • Profits are not donated to a separate charity or unrelated organisation
  • You are not applying on behalf of another not-for-profit.

I’m a Co-operative, can I apply?  
Only non-distributing co-operatives are eligible to apply. You must be able to demonstrate that you are operating as a not-for-profit organisation, where all profits are reinvested to further the co-operative’s purpose, or in this case, a project related to addressing food insecurity. Co-operatives must also be registered as a co-operative under the National Co-Operative Law.

For more details, see our website and Guidelines here

Can I apply if my organisation is based outside of Victoria?
Yes — as long as the entirety of the project activities and services are delivered within Victoria.

What kinds of projects will you fund?
We’re interested in projects that go beyond short-term food relief. Your project must fit into at least one of these focus areas:

  • Build organisational capacity,
  • Support innovation and growth,
  • Scale impact and reach,
  • Strengthen organisational resilience.

For more details, see our website and Guidelines here

What projects won’t you fund?
We won’t fund:

  • Direct purchases of Chobani products,
  • Direct purchases of food (our focus is on long-term solutions, not emergency food relief),
  • Projects that do not have full funding secured, or where secure funding cannot be demonstrated,
  • Discriminate against or exclude members of the community,
  • Political, religious, gambling, weaponry or military-related activities,
  • Projects involving alcohol, drug or tobacco use,
  • High-risk activities,
  • General donations,
  • One-off fundraising events, or public events,
  • Projects which primarily fund staff wages or operational overheads,
  • Academic research.

For more details, see our website and Guidelines here

How much funding is available?
We’re allocating up to $100,000 in total, to be distributed among three grant recipients. Organisations can select the grant amount they believe is most relevant to their project needs, with the total funding to be allocated as follows:

  • One between $10,000 and $20,000
  • One up to $30,000
  • One up to $50,000

The selected amount should align with a project that can be completed by December 2026.

Should I include GST in my requested funding amount?
You should include relevant project costs inclusive of any GST, so we are able to fully consider the total funding amount required to implement the service or run the project or program.

When will funding be granted to successful organisations?
It is intended grant funds will be paid from November 2025, with projects completed by December 2026.

How do I apply?
Applications are submitted online via GoodGrants by 5:00pm AEST on the closing date.

How do I create my BIG Pitch video?
You can film your BIG Pitch video on a smartphone, webcam or video camera.
Please ensure:

  • Your video is shot in landscape mode and audio is clear before uploading,
  • Your file is in an accepted format:
    • MP4 
    • AVI (DivX, Xvid)
    • WMV (Windows Media Video)
    • FLV (Flash Video)
    • MPEG (MPEG-4)
  • Alternatively, you can upload it to YouTube or Vimeo and provide the link.

Can I submit more than one BIG Pitch video?
No. We ask that each organisation submit one BIG Pitch video focused on a single project.

How will I know you received our Big Pitch?
You’ll receive an automated email from no-reply@app.goodgrants.com or sender@app.goodgrants.com. Please make sure to save both email addresses, and don’t forget to check your junk folder just in case.

If you have any queries regarding your application, please contact us at bigdifference@chobani.com.au .

How can I access a copy of the application form?
You can view the application forms here.
Stage 1: The Big Pitch
Stage 2: The Shortlist

How can I best prepare for the Stage 2 questionnaire if shortlisted?
If you’re shortlisted for Stage 2, you’ll complete a more detailed questionnaire.
We recommend thinking clearly about:

  • Your project’s deliverables,
  • How you’ll measure success,
  • How the project will make a lasting difference in addressing food insecurity.

You can access the questionnaire here to help you prepare.

Can I attach additional supporting information such as photos and reports to my application?

There is no facility for attaching additional documents to the application. If we require more information to review the application, we will contact you.

Can you help us with our application?
If you have read the Guidelines, FAQ’s and Terms and Conditions, and still have  questions or need a hand during the application process, please reach out to us at bigdifference@chobani.com.au
We’re here to help.

What is the timeline?

Stage 1: The Big Pitch

  • Applications open: Tuesday 15 July 2025 (9:00am AEST)
  • Applications close: Tuesday 19 August 2025 (5:00pm AEST )

Stage 2: The Shortlist 

  • Shortlisted applicants notified: Tuesday 9 September 2025 
  • Questionnaire completed by: 30 September 2025
  • Applicants to be interviewed notified by: 24 October 2025

Stage 3: The Interviews

  • Interview period: Early November 2025

The Finale

  • Successful applicants notified: November 2025

How will applications be assessed and awarded?
Applications will be reviewed and assessed at each stage to determine the final selection for Interview and subsequent funding by Chobani Australia.

You will be notified as to the outcome of your application as soon as a decision is made. We ask that you refrain from contacting Chobani during the processing period.

How will I know if I am shortlisted?
You will receive email communications from Chobani. Correspondence regarding your submitted application will be sent from no-reply@app.goodgrants.com or sender@app.goodgrants.com to notify you of the status of your application. Please ensure you add this email address to your safe senders list.

Will the full amount applied for be awarded if my application is successful?
It is possible that the grant amount may vary from the original application request.

Should that occur Chobani will contact you to ensure the proposed project is able to proceed with the revised grant amount.

If our application is successful, is there a formal acceptance process?
To accept a grant, Chobani will provide a Funding Agreement for your organisation’s review and completion.

How will our organisation receive the funds if our application is successful?
All successful organisation’s bank accounts are validated as part of our processing. Following the provision of your signed Funding Agreement, grants funds are electronically transferred into your organisation’s bank account.

Will I receive feedback about my application?
We’re unable to provide detailed feedback to every applicant.
If you have questions about your application outcome, please contact us at bigdifference@chobani.com.au

If successful, what are the reporting requirements?
We’ll check in at various milestones after your project begins:

  • 3 months in
  • 6 months in, and at
  • 12 months or upon completion of your project

You’ll be asked to complete a short impact questionnaire at each checkpoint to share your progress, outcomes and any learnings.

When do projects need to be completed by?

It is intended grant funds will be paid from November 2025, and projects completed by December 2026.

What support will be provided beyond funding?
We’re passionate about spotlighting the people and purpose behind your project.
As part of The Big Difference, we’ll work with successful organisations to:

  • Share your story,
  • Build momentum,
  • Amplify your work to help inspire others and attract future partners.

What happens if the proposed project is unable to be implemented due to unforeseen changed circumstances after the funds have been received?
If that occurs, as per the program Terms and Conditions , you must inform Chobani immediately at bigdifference@chobani.com.au

Why is a yogurt company doing this?
At Chobani Australia, we believe food should be a source of connection, nourishment and dignity — not stress.
The Big Difference is part of our commitment to using food as a force for good and supporting community-led projects that tackle food insecurity across Victoria.

Who is Workplace Giving Australia (Good2Give)?
Workplace Giving Australia is a not-for-profit organisation registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission and the Fundraising Institute of Australia, and who are members of Philanthropy Australia and the Community Council for Australia.

Workplace Giving Australia collaborates with organisations to make giving a part of everyday life, driving change by connecting with businesses, employees and charities to enable more giving.

Why would Workplace Giving Australia (Good2Give) contact my organisation?
Workplace Giving Australia provides grants services supporting the Program application process, assessment, validation and funds distribution. You may be contacted by them to provide details, including your organisation’s bank details, for validation purposes.

Download all FAQs

Ready to make a BIG difference?

Ready to make a BIG difference?

Terms & Conditions | Application Guidelines | Program FAQs

Need more information? Contact us at bigdifference@chobani.com.au