Grants and Funding

The Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCFB) receives money from taxes on Golden Casket lotteries, wagering, keno, and gaming machines. It distributes these funds to not-for-profit community groups on a quarterly basis. One off grants of up to $35,000 are allocated to approved not-for-profit organisations to help them provide community services or activities that benefit the community. Grants of more than $35,000 are considered for more complex applications which have significant community benefit.

Fair Play Voucher is an initiative under the Queensland Government’s Activate! Queensland 2019–2029 strategy to support regular participation in physical activity, by reducing the cost for children and young people from low-income families. Parents, carers or guardians can apply for a voucher valued up to $150 for their child, which can be used towards sport and active recreation membership, registration or participation fees with registered activity providers.

An Australian Government initiative, Sporting Schools is designed to support schools to increase children’s participation in sport, and to connect them with community sporting opportunities.

The Local Sporting Champions program is an Australian Government initiative designed to provide financial assistance for young people aged 12-18 towards the cost of travel, accommodation, uniforms, or equipment when competing, coaching, or officiating at an official National Sporting Organisation-endorsed state, national, or international sporting championships or a School Sport Australia state or national championships. If successful, applicants will receive $500-$750 towards the cost of attending their championships  

Brisbane City Council’s Lord Mayor’s Suburban Initiative Fund supports community groups in recognition of their vital contribution made towards building stronger communities in Brisbane. Applicants must be a not-for-profit organisation. Projects must contribute to Council’s vision for the city’s future, Living in Brisbane 2026, by helping to achieve objectives such as a Friendly and Safe, Active and Healthy, Clean and Green, or Vibrant and Creative City.

The minimum grant amount is $250. There is a maximum funding amount of $10,000 per application.

Each year McDonalds gives a large number of charitable donations to support non-for-profit organisations. These donations are given to organisations that are endorsed by the Australian Tax Office as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR), projects, or events that take place in the communities which McDonalds operates.

The Emerging Athlete Pathways assists young athletes in Queensland who have competed at a State or State School Championship, National or National School Championship, or International Championship. Applicants eligible for support are those who have competed at one of the aforementioned levels in the past six months. All applicants must be under the age of 18 at the start of the tournament. As of April 1st 2022, some slight changes have been made to the funding amounts:

• $500 for state or state school events (previously $200)
• $600 for national or national school events (previously $400)
• $800 for international events (previously $600)