Community benefit funding programs
2019 is a special year for the Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF)—we are celebrating 25 years of providing grants to Queensland communities. And that means more funding opportunities for not-for-profit groups!
To increase access to funding, the GCBF will be having 5 funding rounds starting from the 2019–20 financial year, beginning with Round 102 (which closes on 31 August 2019). These will be the new closing dates each year:
- 28 February (29 February in a leap year)
- 30 April
- 30 June
- 31 August
- 31 October.
Find out who the recipients are for the Commemorative Grants community funding round.
Gambling Community Benefit Fund grants
If you wish to apply for a grant of $500 to $35,000, please read the following information and apply online via the grants portal.
The Gambling Community Benefit Fund round 103 is now closed. Round 104 will open mid-January and will close at 11.59pm on 29 February 2020.
About the Gambling Community Benefit Fund
Not-for-profit groups operating in Queensland can apply for grants from $500 to $35,000 through the GCBF. This fund is Queensland’s largest one-off community grants program, distributing approximately $57 million per year.
The fund allocates grants to not-for-profit community groups, to enhance their capacity to provide services, leisure activities and opportunities for Queensland communities.
The Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) Community Benefit Funds Unit (CBFU) administers the GCBF. We invite all eligible organisations to submit grant applications through the GCBF online grants portal. Please watch the tutorial videos below before applying through the grants portal.
Apply for funding
Step 1: Plan your application
Planning is an essential part of your grant application’s success. Take the time to identify the needs of your organisation so you have a clear idea of:
- what you’re applying for
- why you’re applying for it, and
- how much funding you require.
Once your needs are identified, read the current funding round guidelines. You will need to refer to these while writing your funding application.
Check out our video tutorials below on how to use the online grants portal. These tutorials will guide you from registration to submission, right through to management of your granted funds.
Before you register, you’ll need to determine if your organisation is a legal or sponsored entity (refer to the funding guidelines). For legal entities, follow the instructions to complete the bank verification form.
Step 2: Register your organisation
Now that you have completed your planning, it’s time to register your organisation, upload your bank verification form and get ready to prepare your application.
This is your opportunity to explain what activities and services your organisation provides to the people of Queensland.
Allocate enough time to complete your registration in one sitting (the registration process should take about 10 minutes to complete). You cannot save an incomplete registration and go back later.
Register your organisation using the online grants portal.
Step 3: Apply online for a Gambling Community Benefit Fund grant
Once you have registered and received your organisation number, you can log into the grants portal and start your application. You can exit the process at any time after clicking the Save button. When you next log in, you can easily access your draft application to complete and submit it.
Remember to be concise and convey your story on how the funds will benefit the organisation and the community.
When you’re ready, submit your application.
Step 4: Assess the outcome
An email will be sent to your accountable officer, advising if your application was successful or unsuccessful. If it is successful, log into the grants portal to review the funded item(s).
Make sure you review the funding guidelines as you purchase the funded item(s), ensuring all invoices or receipts are issued in the name of your organisation and kept in a safe place.
Step 5: Acquitting existing grants
You can acquit your approved grant (verify grant expenditure) online through the grants portal. This includes applying for extensions to acquittal due dates, submitting variations to approved items and checking the acquittal status of your application.
Once your acquittal documents have been accepted, your accountable officer will receive an email advising that the application is now complete.
Assessing applications for funding
Applications are processed and assessed by the OLGR and considered by the Gambling Community Benefit Committee on a quarterly basis. Independently appointed by the Minister, the committee has the responsibility of making recommendations to the Minister on funding to eligible community groups.