At The Great Mate Check-In, we believe that connection isn’t just something we talk about at events—it’s something we actually live out in our communities.
Since we started back in 2023, this incredible community has rallied together to look out for men’s mental health. Up until now, every dollar raised has been proudly donated to the Men’s Information and Support Association (MISA). We love the work they do, so we will absolutely continue to support MISA with funding from our flagship events to ensure their vital, in-person mental health support keeps keeping on.
But we also know that preventing isolation starts right at the grassroots level. That’s why we’re expanding our impact and launching the TGMC Micro-Grants.
Starting this year, funds raised will also go directly into this new pool, empowering everyday people, local legends, and grassroots groups across Moreton Bay and Brisbane to create their own casual, in-person connection projects. Whether it’s a barbecue get-together in a beautiful park, a local hobby group, or a simple community catch-up, we want to fund the ideas that bring mates together and smash isolation before it turns into a crisis.
Why Financial Support Matters
Let’s be honest—finding funding at a grassroots level is tough. Traditional grants are buried under mountains of paperwork, take months to process, and often leave small, local groups out in the cold.
But at TGMC, we know that a little bit of support can go a massive way.
We know that $500 can completely cover the costs of a community barbecue, pay for a local hall rental, kickstart a brand-new hobby group, or help sponsor an existing local event that needs a lifeline. Whether that $500 pays for the whole thing or fills the final gap in your budget, it’s enough to get people in the same room.
Being able to support local organisations and everyday legends to facilitate true, in-person connection is the absolute essence of what we do. We aren’t interested in bureaucratic red tape; we are interested in getting mates together, breaking down isolation, and building collective wellbeing right here in our own neighbourhoods.
How the Micro-Grants Work
We like to keep things simple. Here is exactly how the funding looks and how the quarterly cycle works:
The Funding: Each quarter, we have a $500 micro-grant available to put towards a local connection project.
The 3-Month Cycle:
- Month 1: Applications Open The gates open! You pitch your simple, casual idea to bring mates together using our stress-free application form.
- Month 2: Applications Processed Our team rolls up their sleeves, reviews all the community ideas, and works out where the funding can make the biggest impact.
- Month 3: Winners Announced We announce the legend (or group) who scored the grant, hand over the $500, and you get to work bringing your project to life!
How You Can Back the Program
The TGMC Micro-Grants don’t exist without our community. We are entirely funded through the generosity of everyday legends and local business champions.
Right now, we are starting with a $500 quarterly grant—but our goal with your support is to grow this to $1000 per quarter next year. The more we rally together, the more funding we can get back into the hands of our community.
Here is how you can help us reach that goal and keep this fund stacked:
- Show Up to Our Events: Every ticket you buy, and every raffle ticket you score at our events goes directly into making these grants possible.
- Partner with Us: If you run a local business and want to directly sponsor a quarterly grant to support your backyard, or sponsor an event, we’d love to chat about building a nourished, long-term partnership.
- Spread the Word: If you know a local club, a grassroots group, or just a resident who is always trying to bring people together, send them this page. Help us find the people who need this leg-up the most.
First round opens 1st of July, 2026!
Register your interest here!
The Great Mate Check-In 