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 101 is now closed. Round 102 will open mid-July and will close at 11.59pm on 31 August 2019.
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 $55 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: Familiarise yourself with the grants portal
Step 2: Read the funding guidelines
Ensure you have a copy of the current funding round guidelines and refer to these while writing your funding application.
Note: From round 99, all sponsored entities and their relevant legal entity are now required to submit financial information when applying for a grant. This financial information must be recorded on the organisation registration details within the GCBF online portal. It is the responsibility of the organisation to log into the GCBF online portal annually to review and update the financial information for the organisation.
You can also access previous funding round guidelines.
Step 3: Register your organisation
Your organisation must register as either a legal entity or sponsored entity before being able to submit an application. Old ‘business partner’ numbers are no longer valid. A new ‘organisation number’ will be issued at registration.
To register your organisation visit www.gamblingcommunityfund.qld.gov.au.
Step 4: Provide your bank account details
When registering your organisation, you will be required to submit a completed ‘bank verification form’, that has been signed and stamped by your bank. You can update this if your bank account details change. (You do not need to submit a bank statement with each funding application).
Please note: If CBFU has already transferred your registration details to the system, you will be required to submit a bank form when you submit your next application.
Step 5: Apply online for a Gambling Community Benefit Fund grant
Once you have registered and received your organisation number, you can log in to the GCBF online 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.
To submit an application visit www.gamblingcommunityfund.qld.gov.au.
Step 6: Acquitting existing grants
You can acquit your approved grant 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.
Assessing applications for funding
Applications are processed and assessed by the CBFU 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.