2026/27 Community Projects Program - Above Project Threshold

Submissions are now being accepted. Submissions close at 12:00am 30 June 2027 (AEST).

2026/27 COMMUNITY PROJECTS PROGRAM 

ABOVE PROJECT THRESHOLD

APPLICANT GUIDE

Applications are invited under the Community Projects Program for projects that deliver a demonstrated benefit to the Gold Coast community and align with one or more of the program categories outlined in these Guidelines.

Applications received above the project threshold will generally be determined within 12 weeks of receipt.

Funding is limited and the submission of an application does not guarantee funding.

BEFORE YOU APPLY

Before commencing an application, applicants are encouraged to:

  • Review these Guidelines in full.
  • Obtain any required quotes, approvals and supporting documentation.
  • Ensure the project can be completed within the financial year.
  • Consultation with the relevant Divisional Office, or the Office of the Mayor for Whole of City projects

 Early preparation will assist in ensuring your application can be assessed efficiently.

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for funding, applicants must:

  • Be an incorporated association registered with the Queensland Government; or
  • Be auspiced by an incorporated entity; or
  • Be a Queensland P&C Association; or
  • Be a Queensland Rural Fire Brigade; or
  • Be a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC); and
  • Be located in, or primarily provide services to, the City of Gold Coast Local Government Area; or
  • Primarily provide services outside the City of Gold Coast Local Government Area where the proposed initiative is in the public interest of the Gold Coast community; and
  • Deliver a project that aligns with an outcome of the Council Plan; and
  • Deliver a project that demonstrates a clear and measurable benefit to the Gold Coast community.

Applicants must provide evidence of their eligibility by attaching the following documentation to their application:

  • Incorporated Associations – A copy of a current Incorporation Certificate issued by the Queensland Government under the Associations Incorporation Act 1981 (Qld).
  • Queensland P&C Associations – A letter from the School Principal confirming the organisation is the recognised P&C Association of the school.
  • Queensland Rural Fire Brigades – A letter of support from the relevant Area Manager, Rural Fire Service Queensland.
  • ACNC Registered Charities – A copy of the organisation's current ACNC registration certificate.

The following organisations are not eligible to apply:

  • State or Federal Government agencies or departments.
  • Unincorporated entities (unless auspiced by an incorporated organisation).
  • Political participants and advocates.

Failure to provide the required supporting documentation at the time of application will result in the application being deemed ineligible.

PROGRAM CATEGORIES

Please ensure the category selected aligns with the primary purpose of your project, as applications will be assessed against the category chosen. Applicants should review the category descriptions and project examples below to determine the most appropriate funding stream. 

Community Services and Development

Projects funded to develop and build capacity within the community may include, but are not limited to:

  • CPR and First Aid courses
  • Referee courses
  • Citizen science initiatives
  • Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation 

Community Activations

Projects funded to deliver a community activation may include, but are not limited to:

  • Commemorations
  • Local events
  • Community celebrations
  • Cultural activities

Equipment and Resources

Projects funded for the purchase of minor equipment and resources may include, but are not limited to:

  • Computers and software
  • Sports equipment
  • Defibrillators
  • Whitegoods

Equipment purchased through this program must primarily benefit the Gold Coast community and remain the property of the funded organisation.

Capital Works

Projects funded for minor capital works may include, but are not limited to:

  • Strategic asset planning
  • Air conditioning systems
  • Security systems
  • Investigations and planning reports

ASSESSMENT

Criteria applied to the assessment of projects may include:

  • Alignment to the Council Plan
  • Demonstrated community benefit.
  • Value for money and competing priorities.
  • Previous funding received through City of Gold Coast grant programs and compliance with funding conditions.
  • Advice provided by subject matter experts.
  • Consultation with the relevant Councillor.

Once your application has been successfully submitted, it will undergo an assessment process. Assessment timeframes may take up to to twelve (12) weeks for above-threshold applications. Applicants will be notified of the outcome via the email address provided in the application form.

ACQUITTAL

All grant funds must be acquitted within one calendar month of project completion.

Organisations with overdue acquittals may be deemed ineligible for future funding until all acquittal requirements have been satisfied.

A program summary will be published on the City of Gold Coast website.

SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION

You will find a Review and Submit button at the bottom of the navigation panel. Your application must be reviewed before it can be submitted.

Once reviewed, click Submit at the top or bottom of the screen, or via the navigation panel. You will not be able to submit your application until all mandatory questions have been completed and any validation errors have been resolved.

Once submitted, no further editing or uploading of supporting documentation will be possible.

Upon submission, you will receive a confirmation email containing a copy of your application.

If you do not receive a confirmation email, you should assume your application has not been successfully submitted.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

Depending on the nature of your project, you may be required to provide:

  • Certificate of Incorporation or ACNC registration
  • Quotes or estimates
  • Proposed Project Form (where applicable)
  • Evidence of landowner consent or approvals
  • Project plans or supporting documentation

Files can be uploaded directly through the application form.

Please allow sufficient time for files to upload before attaching additional documents. Individual files can be up to 25MB; however, applicants are encouraged to keep file sizes below 5MB where possible to minimise upload times.