Changes to the Gambling Community Benefit Fund funding guidelines
Starting from round 104, the eligibility requirements for the Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF) will change for organisations applying for the grant.
The following changes have been necessary to encourage the fair distribution of funds and further support hard-working groups in providing services and activities to Queenslanders.
Organisation eligibility
State, private and independent schools are ineligible to apply in their own right or as a sponsored organisation. The fundraising arm of each school (i.e. parents and friends association or parents and citizens association) is eligible to apply if they meet the organisation eligibility requirements.
Application eligibility
- An organisation cannot submit a new application while awaiting the outcome of a previously submitted application (i.e. you cannot submit applications in multiple rounds).
- Organisations are excluded from submitting an application for one round from the date that OLGR has notified them that their previous successful application is considered closed. For example, if a previous application is closed by OLGR on 12 February, the organisation cannot apply in the next funding round that closes 29 February. The organisation is eligible to apply in the following round that closes 30 April 2020.
- Legal entities can only apply in their own right or sponsor one application within the same physical location, as determined by the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR). For example, a radio control model club has multiple sub-groups that all operate out of the same clubhouse—only one application for the club or a sub-group will be accepted in a funding round.
- Organisations cannot purchase items from overseas suppliers unless prior written approval has been obtained from OLGR. Approval must be obtained prior to the expenditure of grant funds and evidence must be provided that the requested item(s) cannot be purchased in Australia. The Queensland Government encourages organisations to buy local and support local suppliers.
Variations to approved applications
- Time extensions—any extensions more than 12 months past the original acquittal due date will not be considered unless there are extenuating circumstances as determined by OLGR (e.g. natural disaster).
- Variation to approved items—requested items considered not to be in line with the original intent of the grant as determined by OLGR will not be approved, unless there are extenuating circumstances (e.g. natural disaster).
Acquittal of grant funds
Audit of grant funds for acquittal purposes—if 15 or more invoices/receipts have been issued for grant expenditure, the organisation will be required to provide an audit by a qualified person to acquit their grant. Up to $500 from the organisation’s approved grant funds can be used towards the cost of the audit.