Council provides grant funding to community organisations to support projects that create measurable and meaningful outcomes aligned to the Council Plan. Through our community grants, we aim to support local community organisations in the important work they do for the Gold Coast community.
Funding is delivered through several key programs:
- Community Projects Program – supporting one-off community initiatives delivered within a single financial year.
- Community Arts Fund – supporting arts and cultural activities that enrich the city’s cultural life.
- Community Partnerships Program – supporting significant, city-wide, multi-year partnerships that deliver broad and lasting community benefit.
- Discretionary Grants Program – providing each Councillor with annual funding to support projects that benefit their local divisional community.
- Other one-off community grant initiatives – targeted, short-term funding rounds offered from time to time to meet emerging community needs (such as safety, resilience or equipment-based initiatives).
All programs are governed by Council’s Community Grants Policy, which outlines the objectives, eligibility requirements and the principles that ensure grants are administered transparently, consistently and in line with legislative obligations.
Eligibility Criteria
To ensure community funding is distributed fairly and achieves meaningful outcomes for the city, the following eligibility requirements apply across all City of Gold Coast community grant programs.
Eligible organisations
A community organisation is eligible to apply if it:
- is an incorporated association in Queensland; or
- is a registered P&C Association, Rural Fire Brigade or Neighbourhood Watch group in Queensland; or
- is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission; and
- is located in, or primarily provides services to, the City of Gold Coast.
Ineligible applicants
The following applicants are ineligible:
- State or Federal Government agencies or departments
- unincorporated entities
- political participants or advocacy groups.
Eligible projects
A project will only be considered if it:
- is aligned with one or more outcomes of the Council Plan; and
- is in the public interest; and
- demonstrates clear community benefit.
Projects must not provide a direct financial benefit to an individual.
Assessment considerations
Applications will be assessed based on:
- alignment with Council Plan outcomes
- value for money
- competing priorities
- expert advice
- historical funding levels
- consultation with the Divisional Councillor or Mayor.
How to apply
Applying for a community grant is simple and completed online through our portal, SmartyGrants.
What you’ll need before you start
- Your project outline, including purpose and expected community benefit
- A basic project budget (including quotes, if required)
- Any supporting documents
- Your organisation’s incorporation or charity certificate
Steps to apply
- Choose your program – Select the grant program that best fits your project.
- Read the Guidelines – Make sure you understand the funding thresholds and eligibility criteria.
- Complete your application in SmartyGrants – Fill in all required fields and upload your supporting documents. You can save and return to your draft at any time under My Submissions.
- Review and submit – Use the Review and Submit button to check your application, then lodge it once all required questions are complete.
- Receive confirmation – After submitting, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a copy of your application and unique reference number. If you don’t receive this email, your application has not been successfully lodged.
Community Defibrillator Initiative
The Community Defibrillator Initiative is a one-off extension of the Community Projects Program designed to improve community safety by increasing access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces across the city.
Apply now
Funding availability
Program budget: $67,200
Maximum project funding: $2,400
Projects must be non-ongoing and delivered within the same financial year as funding is provided.
2026 Round
- Round open: 11 February 2026
- Round close: 2 March 2026
Late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances.
There will be no further rounds.
Additional information
If unsuccessful, applications may be considered under the Community Projects Program.
Outcome
Applicants will be advised the outcome of their application the week commencing 2 April 2026.
Community Projects Program
The Community Projects Program provides funding to support community-based initiatives aligned to the Council Plan.
Apply now
Funding availability
Program budget: $1,500,000
Maximum project funding:
- Community services and development – less than $5,000
- Community activations – less than $10,000
- Equipment and resources – less than $5,000
- Capital works – less than $25,000
Projects must be non-ongoing and delivered within the same financial year as funding is provided.
2025–26 Round
- Round open: 1 July 2025
- Round close: 30 November 2025
- Round reopens: 1 January 2026
- Round close: 30 May 2026
Late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances.
The next round will commence on 1 July 2026.
Additional information
Applicants are encouraged to discuss their project with their local Councillor prior to applying.
Outcome
Applicants will be advised the outcome of their application within 4 weeks of applying.
Discretionary Grants Program
The Discretionary Grants Program provides annual funding for community organisations delivering projects that benefit a specific divisional area and its residents.
Funding availability
Program budget: $676,560
Maximum project funding:
- Community services and development – less than $5,000
- Community activations – less than $10,000
- Equipment and resources – less than $5,000
- Capital works – less than $25,000
Projects must be non-ongoing and delivered within the same financial year as funding is provided.
2025–26 Round
- Round open: 1 September 2025
- Round close: 21 September 2025
The next round will commence on 1 August 2026.
Additional information
Funds administered under the Discretionary Grants Program are considered discretionary funds in accordance with section 202 of the Local Government Regulation 2012.
The total amount budgeted for the 2025-26 financial year as discretionary funds is the maximum prescribed amount of $676,560 or $48,484 per Councillor. These funds are solely used for the Discretionary Grants Program (another community purpose).
Outcome
The following community organisations received funding in the 2025 round:
2025 Discretionary Grants Program Summary
Community Partnerships Program
The Community Partnerships Program provides multi-year funding to support significant, city-wide community projects that deliver substantial outcomes aligned to the Council Plan.
Funding availability
Program budget: $7,261,000 over four years
Funding was offered across four categories:
- Citywide community services and development – over $50,000 across four years
- Large-scale community activations – over $100,000 across four years
- Equipment and resources – over $50,000 across four years
- Major capital works – over $250,000 across four years
2024–28 Round
- Round open: 3 April 2024
- Round close: 3 May 2024
The next round will commence following the 2028 local government elections.
Additional information
The program receives applications following the local government election every four years.
Outcome
The following community organisations received funding in the 2024–28 round:
- Gold Coast Academy of Sport
- SLSQ South Coast Branch
- SLSQ Point Danger Branch
- Gold Coast Sporting Hall of Fame
- SWELL Sculpture Festival
- Everybody NOW!
- Somerset Storyfest
- Shock Therapy Arts
- The Farm Gold Coast
- Karul Projects Dance Theatre
- Corrina Bonshek and Collaborators
- Gold Coast Multicultural Arts Group In Collaboration
- Fight 4 Youth
- My Community Legal
- Men of Business Academy
- Oz Harvest
- Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Foundation
- Watergum Community
- Wildcare Australia
- Seed the Ground
- Ocean Connect
- Somerset College
- Friends of Parks Queensland
- Dolphin Research Australia
- North East Albert Landcare Group
- Humpbacks & High-rises
- Sea World Foundation
- Gold Coast Tropicarnival (Gold Coast Eisteddfod)
- Gold Coast Show Society
- Kokoda Youth Foundation
- Mudgeeraba Show Society
- RSL Currumbin Palm Beach Sub Branch
- Surf World Gold Coast
Contact us
For more information, please email communitygrants@goldcoast.qld.gov.au