Finding the right grant often starts well before an application opens. For swimming clubs, one of the best places to begin is by building strong connections with your local, State and Federal Government representatives, as well as the Sport and Recreation teams who support clubs in your region.
Queensland Government Sport & Recreation regional staff can be one of your club’s most valuable connections. They can help clubs understand upcoming programs, eligibility requirements and whether a proposed project is suited to a particular funding stream before applying.
They are also an excellent resource for advice on governance, grant assistance, Play On! and infrastructure programs. We recommend every club connects with their local regional office and joins their mailing list to stay informed about upcoming opportunities. Queensland Government Sport & Recreation regional contacts are listed below.
Gubbi Gubbi (Kabi Kabi) Nation
Street address: 80 Currimundi Rd, Currimundi, QLD 4551
Phone: (07) 5459 6176
Taribelang Bunda Nation
Street address: 16 Enterprise Street, BUNDABERG QLD 4670
Phone: (07) 4131 2702
Butchulla (or Badtjala) Nation
Street address: First Floor, Brendan Hansen Building, 50-54 Main Street, HERVEY BAY QLD 4655
Phone: (07) 4336 7001
Build connections with your local council’s Sport & Recreation, Community Development and Grants teams, as well as your grants officer.
For infrastructure projects, you also want relationships with council’s facilities, property and planning teams, particularly where the club leases council land. Council support, permissions, co-funding and letters of support can make a major difference to infrastructure applications.
Queensland Government explicitly recommends clubs seek support from their local council sport and recreation officers. Each Local Council is different, and it is key to remember to subscribe to links provided in your region to access local grants and information sessions.
Discretionary funding is an annual allocation that some councils make available to elected representatives, such as councillors or the mayor, to support local community initiatives.
Unlike larger council grant programs, which may involve formal application rounds and assessment panels, discretionary funding can often be used for smaller, targeted or time-sensitive community needs.
It is important to recognise that every council operates its discretionary funding differently. Funding limits, eligibility, application processes and the types of projects supported can vary significantly from one council to another.
Clubs should check directly with their local council and councillors to understand what discretionary funding is available and how to apply. Local council discretionary funding is an annual budget allocation that elected councillors or mayors can distribute directly to eligible not-for-profit groups for local community purposes.
First up, subscribe to your local council’s grants newsletter or funding updates.
Every council offers different funding opportunities throughout the year, which may include sport and recreation grants, equipment funding, minor grants, major infrastructure grants, community grants and event funding.
By subscribing, your club will receive the most up-to-date information directly to your inbox, including new grant rounds, opening and closing dates, eligibility requirements and upcoming funding opportunities.
It is one of the simplest ways to make sure your club does not miss funding that may be available in your local area.
Their Major Grants program is particularly useful for sport. Offers up to $15,000 for projects, events and activities, or up to $30,000 for infrastructure projects under the community facilities category. There is a dedicated Sport and Recreation application stream.
For smaller funding needs, Sunshine Coast Council also offers Minor Grants of up to $3,000 for eligible not-for-profit community groups. These grants can support a range of community projects and activities, making them a useful funding opportunity for clubs to keep on their annual grants calendar.
Fraser Coast Regional Council’s Community Grants provide funding of between $1,000 and $5,000 per organisation per financial year. Funding may support a range of community initiatives, including projects, equipment, facility improvements and community activities. Clubs should check the current grant guidelines, eligibility requirements and application periods before applying.
The South Burnett Regional Council Community Grants Program provides financial assistance to local not-for-profit organisations for community programs, activities, and events.
Funding Rounds & Timelines:
The Bundaberg Regional Council Grants and financial assistance program supports local not-for-profit groups and organisations improving the quality of life in the region
Key Grant Programs:
Queensland Government Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF) — this should be on virtually every incorporated regional club’s radar. It funds items such as equipment, facility improvements, community events, workshops and training.
Queensland Government Grants Finder + Sport Grant Registration Portal — make sure the club is registered rather than scrambling when a grant opens. Organisations applying for Queensland Sport funding generally need to be registered in the Sport Grant Registration Portal.
Federal Government GrantConnect and Sport Australia — especially for larger infrastructure, participation, inclusion and national initiatives. Queensland Government directs community organisations to GrantConnect for Australian Government opportunities and identifies Sport Australia as another funding source.
GrantConnect provides centralised publication of forecast and current Australian Government grant opportunities and grants awarded.
The Grants Hub is Australia’s leading online funding directory designed to help individuals, businesses, non-profits, and schools find and track grants. It functions as a centralized, search-friendly database that aggregates thousands of funding opportunities from government, corporate, and philanthropic sources.
The Community Grants Hub is an official Australian Government initiative that centralises the administration of community-based government grants.
Sunshine Coast Marathon Festival runs the “Ray White Volunteers” program, explicitly stating that every sporting club, school, or community organisation providing a group of volunteers receives a direct financial donation back to their club.
IRONMAN Group Events (e.g., IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast, Cairns, and Gold Coast). These events rely extensively on community groups to run heavy-duty zones like aid stations and bike transitions.
Local non-profit organisations and sporting clubs can apply for specific IRONMAN Foundation Volunteerism Grants by coordinating directly with the local event’s Volunteer Director.
Bendigo Bank Community Bank branches can be another valuable funding avenue for local sporting clubs and community organisations.
Many Community Bank branches reinvest a portion of their local profits back into their communities through grants, sponsorships and community investment programs. Funding may support projects such as sporting equipment, facility improvements, community infrastructure, events and other grassroots initiatives.
It is important to understand that each Bendigo Community Bank operates differently. Funding priorities, grant rounds, eligibility requirements and the amount of funding available can vary significantly from one region or branch to another.
Do not assume that because one Bendigo Bank branch offers a particular grant, another branch will offer the same program.
Clubs should contact their local Bendigo Community Bank branch directly, introduce the club and ask what community grants, sponsorships or funding opportunities are available in their region.
Please note: This is an evolving resource and will continue to be updated as new grant and funding opportunities become available across the Swimming Wide Bay region. While we aim to keep the information current, opportunities, eligibility requirements, funding rounds and closing dates may change. Please check directly with the relevant funding provider for the latest information.
Know of a grant, funding opportunity or useful resource we’ve missed? Please get in touch with Swimming Wide Bay so we can continue building and improving this resource for clubs across our region.
The information on this page was kindly collated by Kyleigh Metcalfe from Fraser Coast Swim Club