Grants play a pivotal role in supporting community sports clubs and individual athletes. Understanding the landscape of sporting grants in Queensland (including where to find them!) can be a game-changer.
How Sporting Grants in Queensland Work
Sports grants are funds provided by various government bodies and private entities to promote athletic participation and performance at all levels. These grants are designed to help reduce the financial burden of training, equipment purchases, facility upgrades and other sports-related expenses, making sports more accessible to everyone in the community. Unlike other funding options, sports grants typically don’t need to be paid back.
Grants For Queensland Sports Clubs
What Items Can Clubs Use The Funds For?
While every grant is different, grants for sports clubs often focus on facility upgrades, equipment purchases, and community outreach programs.
Queensland sports grants might additionally cover training for coaches and safety improvements.
It’s important to understand the focus areas of any grant, and ensure your club’s project aligns well, before applying.
Who Provides the Funds for Queensland Sports Grants?
Sporting grants in Queensland are offered by all levels of government, including the Queensland government and local councils. Private organisations also sometimes offer sports grants to sports clubs and individuals. The trick is in working out how to find them!
Queensland Government Sports Grants
There are various opportunities for sports grants through the Queensland government.
Queensland Local Council Sports Grants
Local councils in Queensland often provide community grants which often take the form of sports grants. Here are links to grant opportunities for each Queensland local council:
State Sporting Organisations
Individual sport organisations sometimes provide sports grants. Below outlines a list of state-wide sports organisations for a range of sports:
Private Organisations and Companies
Sometimes, private companies offer sports grants in Queensland communities. For example, Woolworths sporting grants offer funds to sporting clubs.
Popular Queensland Sports Grants
The Gambling Community Benefit Fund
The Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF) is Queensland’s largest one-off community grants program and distributes approximately $60 million each year to not-for-profit community groups. The GCBF funding helps these groups to provide services, leisure activities and opportunities for Queensland communities.
The GCBF will have 3 funding rounds in 2024:
- Round 120—$35,000 standard grant round—closed 29 February
- Round 121—$100,000 30th Anniversary super round—closes 3 May
- Round 122—$35,000 standard grant round—closes 30 November.
To check eligibility requirements and understand your organisation’s responsibilities throughout all stages of the grant funding process, read the guidelines for GCBF applicants and instructions for applying for the GCBF grant.
ActiveKIT Super Round
The objective of ActiveKIT Super Round is to support innovative solutions within the active industry to increase physical activity opportunities for Queenslanders and contribute to system-wide capability improvements.
ActiveKIT will support the active industry, startups or small to medium businesses to develop, trial or implement new and innovative solutions that respond to the challenge; “Personalising the experience for all”; enable inclusive, social, flexible and/or commitment-free physical activity opportunities for all that helps to create a positive mindset and encourages physical activity involvement for life.
Key Dates:
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 Expression of Interest (EOI) submissions open | 1 May 2024 |
| Stage 1 EOI submission closes | 22 May 2024 at 5pm (AEST) |
| Stage 2 submissions open for invited organisations only | 12 June 2024 |
| Stage 2 submissions close | 3 July 2024 at 5pm (AEST) |
| Successful projects can commence upon execution of funding agreement | August 2024 |
| Program period complete | August 2026 |
| Outcome report and final acquittal | September 2026 |
Who can apply for ActiveKIT?
Organisations eligible for funding must be:
- Registered with an ABN
- Based or headquartered in Queensland (based on the physical address of the organisation provided in the Grants Registration Portal)
- At the time of program close, must:
- have no outstanding compliance issues with the Office of Fair Trading
- have met all obligations for projects currently funded by the department; and
- have no debt owing to the department.
Organisation types
Additionally, organisations are required to be one of the following organisation types.
- Active industry State Level Organisation or a peak organisation
- National Sporting Organisation operating in Queensland
- Regional or state-wide not-for-profit organisations (excluding regional sport and recreation organisations)
How to Successfully Apply for a Sports Grant Queensland
Securing a grant requires more than just meeting the eligibility criteria; it requires strategic preparation and effective grant writing. Here’s how to maximise your chances:
Understand the Requirements:
Make sure your purpose aligns with the grant’s objectives.
Prepare a Solid Application:
Include clear objectives, a budget, and demonstrate the impact the grant will have.
Prepare and Include Relevant Documentation:
Often, community sports grants will require letters of support from key stakeholders, like users of the facility. Ensure you gather this information well in advance, to avoid any delays.
Submit on Time:
Don’t miss deadlines, and avoid incomplete applications.
Write Clearly and Succinctly:
Grants will often have word counts, and it is important you convey important information whilst adhering to any limits. A professional grant writer can help if you struggle getting things down on paper.
Sports grants in Queensland are invaluable resources that provide financial support to clubs and athletes across Australia. By effectively utilising these grants, the sports community can foster significant development and achieve greater competitive success.
If you’re part of a sports club seeking financial assistance, and you’ve found a grant you think you may be eligible for, our expert grant writers can assist to prepare your application. Contact us for a quote.