NSW ClubGRANTS is one of the largest community grant schemes in Australia. Registered clubs — RSL clubs, sporting clubs, bowling clubs, and others with gaming machines — are required to contribute a percentage of gaming revenue to community grants under the ClubGRANTS scheme. Understanding how ClubGRANTS works is essential for community sport and welfare organisations in New South Wales.
The NSW ClubGRANTS scheme requires registered clubs with gaming machines to distribute a portion of gaming revenue to community projects:
- Clubs contribute 1.5% of gaming profits to ClubGRANTS
- Funds are distributed in three categories with different rules
Participation in ClubGRANTS is mandatory for clubs above a certain gaming machine revenue threshold.
Category 1 grants are given directly by individual clubs:
- The club decides which local organisations to fund
- Typically community sport, welfare, health, and education
- No central application process — approach your local club directly
- Focus is usually local to the club's geographic community
Most community sport clubs access Category 1 by approaching their local registered club (RSL, bowling club, football club with a registered club).
How to apply for Category 1:
1. Identify registered clubs in your area with gaming machines
2. Contact the club's general manager or community grants manager
3. Submit a written request or application as directed by the club
4. Clubs have discretion on who they fund — relationship matters
Category 2 grants go to state-approved grant schemes managed by industry bodies:
- Funding is pooled across many clubs and distributed through approved schemes
- Examples: ClubsNSW community grants schemes, Leagues Club community grants
- Application processes managed by the relevant scheme administrator
Category 2 schemes vary — some are administered by ClubsNSW directly, others by sector bodies.
Category 3 contributions are paid to state and local government for community infrastructure:
- Road safety, law enforcement, or other government priorities
- Not directly accessible to community organisations
ClubGRANTS funds community benefit purposes:
- Community sport: Playing equipment, uniforms, facilities, junior programmes
- Health and welfare: Community health, disability services, aged care
- Education and youth: Youth development, scholarship programmes
- Infrastructure: Community buildings and sporting facilities
ClubGRANTS explicitly does NOT fund:
- Individuals (except via approved schemes)
- Commercial or for-profit activities
- Political activities
- Religious worship (though community services by religious organisations may qualify)
Build club relationships first:
- Visit your local registered clubs and introduce your organisation
- Attend club events and community functions
- Club managers often fund organisations they know
Show local community benefit:
- Specifically benefit the local area of the club (usually within 20km)
- Quantify the community members who benefit
- Show that your organisation serves the same community as the club's members
Be specific about the need:
- Name the equipment: "15 size 4 netballs at $50 = $750" not "netballs"
- Explain why you need it and who will benefit
Understand the club's priorities:
- Some clubs have specific community priorities (veterans, women's sport, youth)
- Ask the club manager what they funded last year and what they prioritise
Follow up and report:
- Send photos of funded activities
- Report outcomes back to the club
- Relationship with the club manager is long-term
Major registered clubs (large RSLs, major leagues clubs) may have significant ClubGRANTS budgets — $100,000+ per year. Smaller clubs may have $10,000–$50,000.
Large clubs often have formal community grants programmes with applications, assessment panels, and published guidelines. Small clubs often have informal processes.
After receiving ClubGRANTS:
- Provide acquittal documentation (receipts, photos)
- Report to the funding club on outcomes
- Good reporting leads to repeat funding
ClubGRANTS (NSW) is distinct from gaming trust grants:
- ClubGRANTS: Funded by club gaming revenue; clubs direct the grants
- Gaming trusts (Four Winds, Pub Charity, etc.): Pool gaming revenue from venues; apply to trust
In NSW, organisations often apply to both — ClubGRANTS through their local club, and gaming trusts through the trust's online portal.
Tahua's grants management platform helps community organisations manage grant applications across multiple funding sources including ClubGRANTS and gaming trusts — tracking applications, reporting, and community outcomes across all funders.