Through the Community Donations Fund applicants can request funding up to $500 to support initiatives that contribute positively to the community that may not align with other funding streams within the Community Investment Policy.

This fund supports the sustainable delivery of community, cultural, sporting and environmental initiatives that demonstrate direct benefit to the Gladstone Region local government area.

Applications are open year-round with community organisations encouraged to apply, should they meet the eligibility criteria. Each applicant may receive one community donation per financial year, per initiative through the Community Donations Fund. This will enable the grant monies to be spread between eligible community organisations.

There are limited funds available and once this amount is reached, no further donations will be awarded until the following financial year.

The Community Donation Fund recognises that vibrant, engaged and resilient communities are developed through capacity building and partnerships with the fund aiming to:

• Support local causes including events, activities and initiatives through donations, sponsorships and purchase of goods or services. 
• Provide support to the region’s charitable institutions and not-for-profit community organisations. 
• Recognise the achievements of community organisations and volunteers for the contribution they make to the local community and council’s vision for the future through donations, prizes and awards.

Who can apply?

To apply to the Community Donations Fund applicants MUST:

• Be an incorporated organisation. Unincorporated community groups/organisations may apply through a community organisation (both of which must meet the eligibility criteria and not be an ineligible organisation) which is able to accept legal and financial responsibility for the project/initiative/event. 
• Must be based within the boundaries of Gladstone Regional Council Local Government Area or servicing the Gladstone region community. 
• Have successfully acquitted any previous Gladstone Regional Council funding, where applicable. 
• Be free of debt to Gladstone Regional Council. 
• Be financially solvent.

However, the following will not be considered eligible: 

• For profit organisations. 
• Retrospective costs, including reimbursement of costs already incurred and funding for initiatives which have already taken place or commenced prior to the request being approved by Council. 
• Top up funds, where Gladstone Regional Council already provides funds or in-kind support (including donations for prizes/awards). 
• Applicants that have failed to adequately acquit, manage or deliver outcomes from previous Council funding, where requested to do so.

Ineligible expenses

Projects or expenses that are not eligible to be supported include: 

• Management of day-to-day operating expenses (e.g., electricity bills, rates, insurance etc.). 
• Requests that have a commercial purpose; 
• Improvements to land and/or facilities owned and controlled by other levels of Government or ineligible organisation types; 
• Expenditure that is the core business of other levels of Government; 
• Alcohol; 
• Ongoing operational costs: Salary/wages, insurance, utilities, rates, administration and rent; and
• Retrospective projects or expenditure (projects or expenditure that have already taken place).

• Phone: (07) 4976 6300
• Email: Communityinvestmentprogram@gladstone.qld.gov.au