Incorporated not-for-profit community groups in Queensland can share in a $41 million dollar fund that can be accessed to help install solar power systems – but they’ll need to act soon.
The Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF) is Queensland’s largest one-off grants program; using cash from a percentage of state revenue raised through gambling taxes.
To be eligible, organisations must be registered with the Community Benefit Funds Unit (CBFU) as a legal entity or sponsored organisation prior to submitting an application form.
Applications can be submitted for a maximum grant of $35,000 (including GST). Solar panel systems are eligible under the GCBF.
With electricity prices biting into the activities of non-profit groups; going solar is a great way to free up funding for other purposes.
Among the criteria, funding priorities go to applications for the purchase of equipment and facility upgrades and those that will provide an opportunity for the applicant to generate income. Solar panels can tick both those boxes, with the latter relating to feed in tariffs.
Currently, the solar feed in tariff incentive in Queensland pays 8 cents + in some cases a 6-8 cents retailer contribution per kilowatt hour for surplus electricity exported to the mains grid.
Previous successful applicants that have installed solar power systems with a GCBF grant include Australia Huntington’s Disease Association Qld Inc, Charleville Bowls Club Inc, Department of Community Safety and Endeavour Foundation.
There are four GCBF funding rounds per year and the next deadline for grant applications is November 30, 2013.
Commercial solar provider Energy Matters says community groups interested in installing a system under the program should contact the company on 1300 553 213 for further details. Additional information can also be found on the Queensland Government’s Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation web site.
