What You Need to Know About Updates to ClubGRANTS Online

While these changes don’t constitute a full system overhaul, they will streamline key processes, leading to smoother operations and clearer workflows for managing funding and approvals.

Updated Dropdown for Local Committee-Recommended Grants

An update has been made to the local committee-recommended projects feature. The previous checkbox function has been replaced with a more efficient dropdown menu, which allows local committee conveners to clearly indicate whether a project has been recommended by the committee. This will simplify the tracking process and helps clubs easily differentiate between committee-approved projects and others. Additionally, this data is automatically included in the club’s annual return to Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW).

Only Clubs Can Change the Status of an Application

A significant update now restricts the ability to change the status of funding applications to clubs only. Only clubs will be able to modify the status of their submitted applications. This update ensures that the integrity of the approval process is maintained and that only the clubs directly responsible for the funding can make status adjustments.

Role of Local Committees: Assessment and Advice, Not Approval

Local committees play an important role in providing advice, but it’s important to note that they do not have the authority to approve, decline or veto Category 1 applications. The primary responsibility of the local committee is to assess whether funding applications align with community service priorities and, when requested by clubs, develop a priority list of recommended applications to guide clubs in their funding decisions.

Local committees do not determine the eligibility of the expenditure—this responsibility lies with the clubs and L&GNSW.

Reminder for Local Committees: Compliance with ClubGRANTS Guidelines

L&GNSW has updated the guidance on the formation and requirements for local committees administering ClubGRANTS Category 1 funding to make it clear that:

• A local committee is mandatory when the total Category 1 funding for clubs in a Local Government Area (LGA) exceeds $30,000 in a given tax year.
• The committee must include representatives from qualifying clubs, the local council, the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ), a community organisation endorsed by the Office of Responsible Gambling (ORG) and, where appropriate, Aboriginal community representation.
• If the total Category 1 funding in an LGA is below $30,000, a local committee is not required, however clubs must still ensure their funding allocations align with the objectives of ClubGRANTS.

In situations where a local committee cannot be formed due to unavailable representatives, clubs must contact ORG for local funding priorities and independently allocate Category 1 funding based on these priorities. 

A report detailing why the committee could not be formed, as well as how the funding decisions were made, must be submitted to L&GNSW within 45 days. Compliance with these guidelines is essential to avoid penalties, particularly if less than 75 per cent of Category 1 funding is allocated in line with committee recommendations.

These minor updates to ClubGRANTS Online, including the enhanced dropdown feature for committee recommendations and the restriction on who can change the status of applications, offer important improvements to clarity and control for clubs managing their funding. 

Additionally, clubs are reminded of the local committee requirements set out by L&GNSW to ensure compliance. 

While these changes are minor, they contribute to a more intuitive and secure system, helping clubs navigate their ClubGRANTS responsibilities with ease and confidence.