Gambling Community Benefit Fund injects capital into Queensland ECEC sites

The latest round of the Queensland Government’s Gambling Community Benefit Fund has seen $13.7 million in grants being allocated to not-for-profit (NFP) organisations across Queensland, including many early childhood education and care (ECEC) services.

Queensland Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath said the Gambling Community Benefit Fund was Queensland’s biggest one-off grants program, delivering up to $55 million each year for community groups.

Round 99 of the funding sees the $13.7 million shared amongst 643 ‘grassroots’ community services, to improve facilities, provide services, or purchase new equipment. Ms D’Ath said the grant would support services to access improvements and equipment which might otherwise be out of reach, were it not for the funding.

“It’s a $13.7 million acknowledgement of the vital role these organisations play in Queensland communities,” Ms D’Ath said.

Amongst the successful applications in round 99 of funding in the ECEC space are::

• $35,000 for Toobeah Kindergarten to install soft fall landscaping and move a sandpit

• $17,000 for Cairns TAFE Community Child Care Centre to purchase equipment and furniture

• $31,000 for Bracken Ridge Kindergarten to upgrade sewage pipes and playground

• $17,000 for Cairns Community Kindergarten to create a nature play space

• $34,000 for Home Hill Community Kindergarten to create storage space.

Applications are now open for the next round of grant funding, with Queensland-based community, NFP ECEC services encouraged to apply, with grants between $500 to $35,000 available for ‘worthwhile projects’.

“If your community-based organisation has a project in mind, the Gambling Community Benefit Fund wants to hear about it,” Ms D’Ath said. Applications for round 101 close on 31 May 2019.

To see the full list of successful applicants for round 99 funding, click here.

For more information or to apply for a Gambling Community Benefit Fund grant, visit:  http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/grants