Applicants to Grassroots, Elevator and Strategic project grants must align to the following funding objectives. These funding objectives align to Councils Community Development Strategy which aim to strengthen and enhance the health and wellbeing of the region:

• Capacity - The Capacity Objective aims to foster community led collaboration and partnerships, initiatives, programs and projects that help communities develop their own solutions to local areas of need. Initiatives and activities under this objective will generally strengthen and build the skills, knowledge, and capacity of community members and groups which can then be applied and shared. One of the key outcomes of the Capacity initiative is to advance the communities aspirations of collective action, co-operations, and shared goals.
• Place - The Place Objective aims to foster the development of accessible, fulfilling, and engaging places and spaces for community. This will be achieved through supporting the delivery of community led Initiatives, projects and activities that activate Council controlled or community owned and operated facilities, parks, and open spaces to provide safe and accessible social infrastructure that meets the community’s diverse needs.
• Connect - The Connect Objective aims to foster community led initiatives and projects that strengthen relationships, community connection, civic participation and understanding across all sectors of the community.  
• Wellbeing - The Wellbeing Objective aims to foster healthy, safe, and supported communities through the delivery of community led partnerships, programs, activities, and resources that promote healthy lifestyles, positive wellbeing, and safe communities. 
• Planning - The Planning Objective aims to foster and support the development of programs, plans and strategies that strengthen the community’s ability to deliver well planned and sustainable organisations, facilities, and activities across the region.

The Elevator Fund is intended for higher cost, higher risk proposals of over $10,000, which will involve a more detailed application and acquittal process than the Grassroots Fund. Applicants will need to demonstrate a high level of competency, capacity and planning capability to deliver the stated outcomes for Elevator proposals.

• Applicant’s proposals will have to align with one or more of the five Elevator Fund Objectives.
• Applicants can apply for funding over $10,000 (excluding GST) 
• Before starting an application, please read the Guidelines.

To view all current and upcoming fund information, visit https://gladstone.smartygrants.com.au.

Through the Grassroots Fund applicants can request funding up to $10,000 to strengthen their community or organisations to develop and/or deliver initiatives, programs, or projects that meet one of the Grassroots Fund objectives.   

• Applicants can apply up to a maximum of $10,000 (excluding GST) 
• Before starting an application, please read the Guidelines.

To view all current and upcoming fund information, visit https://gladstone.smartygrants.com.au.

The purpose of the Strategic Projects Fund is to strengthen not for profit organisations through the provision of financial support to upgrade existing or build new facilities where the organisation has suitable land tenure as defined in the supporting guidelines.

• Projects must align to one of the funding Objectives.
• Applicants can apply up to a maximum of $100,000 (excluding GST)
• Applicants must attend an information session to be eligible to apply.
• Detailed application and acquittal process.
• Before starting an application, please read the Guidelines.

To view all current and upcoming fund information, visit https://gladstone.smartygrants.com.au.

The purpose of this Fund is to provide Gladstone Regional Council area educational institutions with funding to recognise and reward excellence in the areas of academic success, attitude, attendance and community contributions. Council liaises directly with educational institutions to manage this fund.

• Primary $200
• Secondary $500
• Combined (primary/secondary) $500
• Technical College $500
• CQ University Gladstone $500
• CQU TAFE Gladstone $500

Col Brown Memorial Award

The purpose of this Fund is to recognise excellence and achievement for a local apprentice or trainee engaged through Apprentices and Trainees Queensland. Annually, Council will provide $1,000 directly to Apprentices and Trainees Queensland to administer and decide the award.

CQ University Gladstone Campus Scholarships

The purpose of these Scholarships is to encourage Gladstone Regional Council area students to remain in the Region and further their education at a CQ University Gladstone Campus with the objective of strengthening the future regional workforce. Seven scholarships of $2,000 will be awarded annually to one Year 12 student from each of the seven participating regional secondary schools to contribute to the cost of studying on a CQ University Gladstone Campus. Funds will be provided directly to CQ University to administer and award the scholarships.

The Charity Waste Fund aims to assist charitable organisations that accept pre-loved household belongings from the burden of having to process and dispose of general waste deposited at their facilities.

• Applications open 1 July – 31 August annually.
• This is a donation; no acquittal process is required following approved applications.
• There is no maximum amount.
• Funds credited to Charity debtor account to be used at Council Waste facilities.

Before starting an application, please read the Guidelines.

The Community Hall Funding provides support by means of a financial donation to assist local organisations who own, lease, or manage a Community Hall within the Council area with operating costs.

• Applicants can apply up to a maximum of $2000 (excluding GST).
• Funding applications accepted all year round.
• This is a donation; no acquittal process is required following approved applications.
• Before starting an application, please read the Guidelines.

To view all current and upcoming fund information, visit https://gladstone.smartygrants.com.au.

Community Led Investment Fund (Our Place Our Wellbeing) is a participatory budgeting pilot designed to enable localised projects that impact on the wellbeing of the LOCAL Community to be funded.  The fund aims to support community led ideas, projects, or events that bring people together and build stronger neighbourhoods, whilst strengthening the connection between Council and community through engaging the community in the decision-making process for allocating funding.

The community will be empowered to make the final decision and to vote on their preferred initiative/s following the initial eligibility assessment.  The fund will have set objectives that applicants must meet, which will be determined each year based on identified community needs.

This is an innovative pilot initiative which will see the community decide where $25,000 of funding is awarded through an interactive voting system.

• Total funding pool of $25,000 ($5,000) per project.
• Before starting an application, please read the Guidelines.

To view all current and upcoming fund information, visit https://gladstone.smartygrants.com.au.

This fund provides for an annual donation to the Gladstone and District Sports Foundation to support young people who reside in the Gladstone Regional Council area to compete at a State or National level. The donation is provided directly to the Trust to administer. Contact the Gladstone and District Sports Foundation by Email: gladstone.sport@gmail.com.

Support for events that attract up to 2,500 participants and contribute to community pride, social outcomes and regional economy.

• Applications must be received no less than 12 weeks prior to the event. 
• Applicants can apply up to a maximum of $10,000 (excluding GST). 
• Before starting an application, please read the Guidelines.

To view all current and upcoming fund information, visit https://gladstone.smartygrants.com.au.

Support for events that demonstrate tourism and regional economy benefits by attracting 2,500 to 5,000 participants, with 10% out-of-region visitor attendance.

• Applicants can apply up to a maximum of $25,000 (excluding GST) 
• Before starting an application, please read the Guidelines.

To view all current and upcoming fund information, visit https://gladstone.smartygrants.com.au.

Support for events that are well established, well designed, and clearly demonstrate return on investment through building community pride, return visitation, increase regional profile, and generate economic stimulus.  Events attract over 5,000 participants, with 15% out-of-region visitor attendance.

• Applicants can apply up to a maximum of $50,000 (excluding GST) 
• Before starting an application, please read the Guidelines.

To view all current and upcoming fund information, visit https://gladstone.smartygrants.com.au.

Support for events that drive the primary criteria of destination profile, economic impact and overnight visitor expenditure. Attracting visitors that invest in the region and target over 25% out-of-region visitor attendance.

• Applicants can apply all year round but must submit application six months prior to the event.
• Before starting an application, please read the Guidelines.

To view all current and upcoming fund information, visit https://gladstone.smartygrants.com.au.

Support for community led events that are run by community organisations for broad public benefit.

• Applicants can apply all year round but must submit application eight (8) weeks prior to the event.
• Before starting an application, please read the Guidelines.

To view all current and upcoming fund information, visit https://gladstone.smartygrants.com.au.