Community partnerships
Are you a not-for-profit South Australian organisation? For notification of the program opening for applications, please register here.
Our Community Partnerships Program is focused on supporting grassroots community events and projects run by not-for-profit organisations.
With a focus on sustainability, healthy communities and environmental leadership, we want to partner with organisations who, like us, foster an inclusive culture where diversity of thought, background and experience are embraced and celebrated.
This program runs annually and has a funding limit of $10,000 per partnership.
Criteria
Applications must demonstrate delivery of the below key criteria:
- alignment with our vision: Delivering trusted water services for a sustainable and healthy South Australia
- demonstration of the use of water for a sustainable and healthy community
- the event or project should enhance a thriving community through cooler, greener environment or show climate change in action
- South Australian, not-for-profit organisation delivering valued services to the South Australian community
- the program/event benefits community members where the impact will be greatest
- the program/event provides opportunities for SA Water to engage with the community
- opportunities for SA Water staff engagement
- the sponsored event or project falls within the period 1 July to 30 June
Evaluation
All partnered programs and events will be required to provide a self-evaluation upon completion. If participating organisations are unable to deliver the agreed benefits or the evaluation is not provided within the required timeframe, the organisation may not be considered for future partnership opportunities.
Legally binding agreements are in place for all Community Partnerships.
What we won't support
While we welcome partnerships with a range of organisations, we do not accept applications for sponsorships that support:
- individuals
- any project, program or event related to gambling
- events that promote the consumption of alcohol as its core activity (such as wine festivals)
- organisations we are already engaged in a formal arrangement with, such as a Memorandum of Understanding or contractual agreement
- projects, programs or events where there is a real or perceived conflict of interest with an existing partnership, business or sponsorship activity.
We are not able to make charitable donations or support projects that span multiple years or require recurrent funding. We are also unable to provide funding for fountains through the Community Partnerships Program.
For more information
If you have any questions or require more information on our Community Partnerships Program, please contact us at communitypartnerships@sawater.com.au.
2024-25 Community Partnerships Program recipient
Seaford Independent Learning Centre

2026-27 partners
| Recipient | Initiative |
|---|---|
| Australian Migrant Resource Centre | Guided walks introducing multicultural communities to SA Water reservoirs to build understanding of local water systems and share cultural connections to water. |
| Biodiversity Victor Harbor | Establishment of a Community Biodiversity Nursery Hub to grow locally native plants. |
| BioR | A community planting festival at Myponga, planting more than 25,000 seedlings across 25 hectares. |
| Bordertown High School | Conversion of donated intermediate bulk containers into wicking beds to expand gardening and seedling production, and to model more efficient use of underground water supplies. |
| Cara (Morphettville) | Creation of a sensory, water-wise wellbeing garden at the Nunya respite accommodation. |
| Carlton Preschool (Port Augusta) | Refurbishment of an outdoor play space to strengthen inclusive, nature-based learning. |
| Point Boston Community Group (Eyre Peninsula) | Expansion of a water-wise community garden and learning hub. |
| Clarendon Primary School | Installation of water-sensitive urban design features to reduce localised flooding and improve biodiversity. |
| Kingston on Murray Primary School | Construction of an interactive creek system demonstrating how the River Murray functions. |
| OzFish | Expansion of the Water Heroes program across Mount Gambier, Millicent, Beachport, Port MacDonnell, Penola and Naracoorte, teaching young people about waterway health and sustainable water systems. |