Nudgee Trust Update
As you are aware the Nudgee Trust Trustees suspended the 2025 grant round to allow for a thorough review of the application and assessment process. To lead this work, a Grant Review Committee (GRC) was established, and recent meetings of both the Trustees and the GRC have now clarified several key directions for ministries in preparation for the 2026 grant round.
The Trustees endorsed the Grant Review Committee’s recommendations to adopt a Theory of Change (ToC) model as the preferred tool for assessing impact. This approach provides a clear pathway from the problem a ministry seeks to address, through the activities and outcomes, and towards the longer-term impact. While some ministries may find the language unfamiliar, the Trustees are committed to providing plain English resources, examples, and a user guide to make this a supportive and practical tool rather than an administrative burden.
A revised grant application form is being developed, designed to integrate the ToC approach. This will include online submission options and the ability for ministries to generate a draft ToC template from their application.
The selection criteria have been confirmed by the Trustees. They reflect the Trust’s priorities of direct service delivery, extending mission, measurable social impact, and co-design, alongside considerations of innovation, environmental responsibility, and projects not in receipt of other funding. Importantly, Trustees have emphasised that while these criteria guide decision-making, the Trust retains discretion to respond flexibly to the diverse range of ministries under Mercy Partners.
To help ministries prepare, case studies are being developed. These will draw on recent grants to show how the ToC approach can be applied in practice. The case studies will be available in written and multimedia formats through the Mercy Partners website.
The GRC has also recommended creating a dedicated online presence for the Nudgee Trust, either through a microsite or an enhanced section within the Mercy Partners portal, to ensure ministries can easily find information, resources, and guidance.
Looking ahead, the Trustees are keen to ensure the grant process is both transparent and supportive. Ministries will be invited to information sessions at the start of the 2026 round to walk through the new application form and the ToC approach.
Finally, the Trust exists to walk with ministries in extending mission, fostering innovation, and ensuring measurable impact for those most in need. As we look ahead to the 2026 grant round, the Trustees remain committed to supporting ministries with clear processes, so that together we continue to bring the Mercy mission to life in diverse and meaningful ways.
Patricia Bergin
Chair – Nudgee Trust Grant Review Committee
