Funding up to $100,000 to support not-for-profit community groups to enhance their capacity to provide services, leisure activities and opportunities that benefit the Queensland community.
On this page you will find
What is the Gambling Community Benefit Fund?
The Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF) is Queensland’s largest one-off grants program, providing funding to not-for-profit community groups to enhance their capacity to provide services, leisure activities and opportunities that benefit the Queensland community.
Grants of up to $35,000 (and over, in special rounds) are available for eligible organisations seeking support for equipment, facility improvements, vehicles, community events, and more.
Gambling Community Benefit Fund level of support
- Minimum amount: No stated minimum
- Maximum amount: $35,000 per standard round
- Special rounds: May provide over $35,000 (e.g. disaster recovery or super rounds up to $100,000)
Co-contribution: A co-contribution is not required. However, the Gambling Community Benefit Committee considers value for money and any financial or in-kind contributions when assessing applications.
Gambling Community Benefit Fund important dates
- Round 126 (Standard Round): Open
- Closing date: Midnight, 28 February 2026
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
Gambling Community Benefit Fund objectives
This funding opportunity is designed to:
- Support community-based, not-for-profit organisations
- Enhance services, infrastructure, and access to activities that benefit Queensland communities
- Ensure equitable distribution of funding across regions, sectors and community priorities
Projects and expenditure eligible for Gambling Community Benefit Fund support
Organisations can apply for a wide variety of community-enhancing projects, including:
- community events/training
- equipment (including medical equipment)
- facility improvements
- machinery
- printing/publications/marketing
- solar
- vehicles/boats
- workshops/conferences.
Facility improvement requirements
If you’re applying for facility improvements for a building or land that you don’t own, you must have:
- written approval from the lessor/owner to make the proposed improvements
- written approval from your infrastructure advisor for land owned by Education Queensland
- quotes from a licensed builder or builder contractor, if applicable by law
- appropriate tenure whereby
- if the property is owned by the government or a not-for-profit organisation, you must have either (or a combination of):
- an instrument of tenure
- ability to demonstrate custom and practice (i.e. have the owner verify the relationship)
- if the property is privately owned, you must have tenure for at least 3 years after the date of your application.
- if the property is owned by the government or a not-for-profit organisation, you must have either (or a combination of):
Ineligible Items (will not be funded)
1. Items purchased before approval:
- Anything ordered, paid for, or committed to (including events occurring) before grant approval.
2. Fees for services:
- Grant writing or application assistance fees.
- Project management fees.
3. Certain purchases:
- From a grant writer or their associated businesses.
- Benefiting individuals.
- Alcohol, vouchers, gifts, prizes.
- From overseas suppliers (without prior approval).
4. Operating costs:
- Contingency budgets or costs not yet incurred.
- Recurring/general operating costs.
- Repayment of loans/debts.
- Overseas travel.
- Staff/member social events.
- Facility upgrades tied to retirement living, body corporate, or similar community schemes.
5. Income-generation aid:
- Subsidies or contributions aimed at unlocking other funding.
- Sponsorships.
Items Unlikely to be Funded (approval is rare)
- Salaries and wages
- Rent or lease costs
- Public liability insurance for events
- Administrative costs (e.g. stationery, postage)
- Consumables (e.g. food, petrol, uniforms)
- Catering
- Internal (non-third-party) training
- Prepaid/store cards
Overseas Purchases
- Must buy local wherever possible.
- Overseas purchases require prior written approval, including:
- A quote from the supplier.
- Justification for why the item isn’t available in Australia.
- Unauthorized overseas purchases will result in grant revocation and funds must be returned.
Other Gambling Community Benefit Fund important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Gambling Community Benefit Fund support
An application will be considered eligible if:
- It is submitted by an eligible legal or sponsored entity.
- The proposed project clearly demonstrates benefit to Queensland communities.
- The organisation has sourced multiple quotes for the proposed items or works.
While quotes do not need to be submitted with the application, applicants must be able to provide them if requested during the assessment or approval process.
Failure to source appropriate quotes may result in delays or the application being deemed ineligible.
Gambling Community Benefit Fund assessment criteria
Applications are assessed by the independent Gambling Community Benefit Committee, which makes funding recommendations to the Minister.
Applications are considered in the following order of priority:
- Essential repairs or replacements for items or facilities directly impacted by a declared natural disaster within the past two years.
- Equipment or facility improvements that enhance community services or infrastructure.
- Vehicles and large mobile assets, such as buses, boats, trailers and machinery.
- Community events and programs, including training, workshops, publications and community initiatives.
- Recent grant recipients, with priority given to organisations that have not received more than $15,000 in GCBF funding within the previous two years.
In addition to the above priorities, the Committee also considers:
- The breadth of community benefit, including whether multiple organisations or groups will benefit.
- Geographic spread, with attention to regional and underserved communities.
- The organisation’s financial position and demonstrated need.
- Value for money and cost-effectiveness of the proposed project.
- The organisation’s capacity and longevity.
- Any financial or in-kind contributions supporting the project.
- The project’s income generation potential, where relevant.
- The number of applications submitted by the same sponsor.
- Alignment with Queensland Government priorities identified by the Minister.
How do I get the Gambling Community Benefit Fund?
Applicants must:
- Read and understand the guidelines.
- Ensure eligibility for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria will not be considered.
- Deliver the project/s as outlined in the application.
- Provide complete information requirements.
Information to prepare for the Gambling Community Benefit Fund application
Before applying, organisations should ensure they have the following documentation prepared and up to date:
- Bank verification form completed by the organisation’s financial institution.
- Multiple quotes for proposed purchases or works.
- Financial information that accurately reflects the organisation’s current financial position.
- Financial records must be no more than two years old at the time the funding round closes.
- Audited financial statements must be provided where legally required.
- If audited statements are not required or available, the most recent balance sheet or income and expenditure statement must be supplied.
- Facility improvement approvals, where applicable (including written owner or lessor consent).
- Referee details (three referees are required).
- Conflict of interest disclosures, where applicable.
- Evidence of insurance coverage and regulatory compliance.
Applying for the Gambling Community Benefit Fund
Applications must be submitted online via the GCBF grants portal.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Gambling Community Benefit Fund resources
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