The QBE Foundation has opened applications for its annual local grants program, with $360,000 available to Australian charities.

The nine grants of $40,000 each will support high impact community initiatives across the categories of climate resilience, inclusion and QBE employee choice.

“We’re stepping things up a notch this year and providing larger grants to better support grant recipients and help them have a bigger impact in the community,” QBE Foundation co-Chair Jason Clarke said.

“Climate resilience and inclusion are important to us at QBE and we want to do all we can to support charities creating a big impact in this space.”

Applications are open until March 11 and can be made here. Successful recipients will be announced in June.

Last year, the Australia Pacific QBE Foundation contributed over $1.6 million to community-based initiatives, including Sydney-based MedEarth which redistributes usable medical items destined for landfill in disadvantaged communities.