One of the major benefits of poker machines in Australia is that the games provide generous funding for community groups. Clubs Australia (and its local state-based locations) offer pokie profits to local organizations and initiatives which better the community. This week, Clubs NSW opened its ClubGRANTS scheme to applications, so that groups can request funding.

Every year, millions of dollars are offered to local groups across New South Wales. The funding comes from profits derived from poker machines in pubs and clubs all over the state. Last year, ClubGRANTS awarded $92 million to local community groups in NSW. In 2014, it is hoped that funding will match or exceed the previous year’s donations. There are three different categories available.

Category 1 is for specific priorities, like welfare, social services, health services and employment assistance. Specific examples of programs that receive funding are health promotion initiatives, employment placement services, job creation schemes, community education programs and youth drop-in facilities. Category 2 offers funding for community development programs that are not covered in Category 1.

These include professional and amateur sports funding, tourism promotion, performing arts and visual arts. Category 3 is the newest category, which offers funding for large-scale sports, health and infrastructure projects. This year,  $12 million is available for Category 3 funding. The minimum available per project is $500 000 and the maximum is $2 million.

This year, priority for Category 3 funding will go to sports projects, including sports venues, parks and sports fields. For funding from ClubGRANTS, you can submit an application online at: http://clubgrants-hawkesbury-city-council.smartygrants.com.au. Applications are open until May 2, 2014 at 5pm. If you operate a community group or initiative in NSW, it is a good idea to apply for funding.

Millions of dollars are awarded every year to deserving groups that aim to better the local community and its residents.

About the Author

George Anderson
Author George, has over 25+ years’ experience in the Pokies and Casinos industry throughout Australia and New Zealand. Loves to research new Pokies games on the block and follows announcements from top industry providers about their upcoming releases. As soon as a new interesting pokie game appears on his radar, George is there to check it out and give you the scoop before anyone else and tell you about all casino sites where can play the latest game. Before this gig, George worked as Pokie game tester, making him an ideal candidate for this genre of work. He is also an animal lover and a proud owner of three dogs.