Funding is now available for community organisations in the Great Lakes area through the ClubGRANTS Grants program, administered by Great Lakes Council.

Under the program, NSW clubs (that earn over $1 million annually in gaming machine revenue) give money to community projects and services.

In turn they receive dollar-for-dollar gaming tax deductions.

Applications for funding opened on 9 March and close at 5pm on Friday 24 April.

All applications need to submitted online via Council’s website www.greatlakes.nsw.gov.au

“This funding is important to the community because it’s administered by representatives who know the local area well. It’s effective in ensuring that local needs are funded,” said Council’s Community Development Coordinator Lyndie Hepple.

“Our Clubs will continue to demonstrate commitment to the Great Lakes community by providing funding that is spread as far as possible across a wide variety of local projects and activities whilst providing the greatest tangible benefit to our area,” assured the club representatives from the ClubGRANTS Local Committee.

Last year’s process in the Great Lakes resulted in 62 applications for funding and more than $75,000 in grants being handed out to 32 organisations across the community.

Previous program recipients can’t get further funding unless their project reports have been completed and submitted to the donating club.