The grant writer service will help local businesses and community groups identify and apply for funding grants and administer grant funds. 
 
Council and Shell’s QGC business are both funding the pilot project to a total of $50,000. 
 
The concept evolved last year during discussions regarding opportunities to support both local businesses and community groups affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. 
 
Following an EOI process conducted in October, Gladstone-based business NFP House were selected to deliver the service, which is now open for applications. 
 
Gladstone Region Councillor Chris Cameron said grant writer support had emerged as an important tool of support given the impact COVID-19 has had on the profitability of local businesses and both the fundraising and volunteering capacity of community groups. 
 
“COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the fundraising and volunteering capacity of community groups, not only in our region but across the state and country,” Councillor Cameron said. 
 
“The grant writing program is designed to assist both not-for-profit organisations and small to medium businesses in the Gladstone Region to successfully apply for funding grants, including government and private sector offerings. 
 
“Grant funding not only benefits the recipient organisation but the broader community by bringing community projects to life.” 
 
NFP House co-CEO Lyndal Hansen said they will be offering both one-to-one support and group workshop opportunities to assist businesses and community groups build their grant writing capacity and improve their chances of success when applying for funding. 
 
“This collaborative support will meet a need that we consistently hear from businesses and community groups who often miss out on funding opportunities due to limited in-house experience in grant writing,” Ms Hansen said. 
 
“As a local not-for-profit business ourselves, we are thrilled that this collaborative initiative of GRC and Shell’s QGC business will enable us to meet our NFP House goals, to support capacity building in our community to achieve great things for the Gladstone Region.” 

Shell’s QGC business Acting LNG plant manager, Carolyn Au, said it was exciting to see the Grants Writer initiative, a concept which Shell’s QGC business has developed and funded in the Western Downs, being brought to Gladstone. 
 
“The feedback from our communities beyond Gladstone, who utilise a similar service, is they have been able to upskill and more successfully access grants funds,” Carolyn said. 
 
“In turn, they have seen the social benefits associated with local community projects coming to life, and the economic benefits of additional local spend opportunities. 
 
“We’re excited to see how this new opportunity for Gladstone, being delivered by NFP House, benefits our region.” 
 
To be eligible to apply for assistance NFPs or small to medium businesses must: 

• Be located within the Gladstone Region Local Government Area
• Complete an expression of interest form, available from NFP House.  

Please visit www.nfphouse.org.au/programs to register your interest. Alternatively, you can email NFP House via admin@nfphouse.org.au or call 0460 792 812.

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