Eighteen local community groups and charities will this week receive a combined $182,177 in funding for projects and initiatives through the 2026 Category 1 ClubGRANTS scheme.
The ClubGRANTS scheme is a state-wide initiative that provides the framework for registered clubs to directly fund local priority projects and services.
Wagga Wagga City Council coordinates the Category 1 ClubGRANTS local committee, comprising of representatives from Wagga RSL Club, Rules Club Wagga, Department of Communities and Justice and a local community representative.
Council’s Director Community, Environment & Partnerships Christine Priest said the funds will be shared between 18 successful recipients.
“The funding provided by the ClubGRANTS scheme assists groups that may not have been able to secure financial assistance through other means and helps to ensure valued services and projects are delivered,” Mrs Priest said.
Clubs that earn more than $1 million annually in gaming machine revenue provide funding for community projects and services, and in turn receive dollar-for-dollar gaming tax deductions.
The presentation of the Category 1 2026 ClubGRANTS to these 18 successful recipients was held at the Wagga RSL Club on Thursday 20 August 2026.
The 2026 ClubGRANTS will fund 18 projects include:
- Ashmont Public School – Breakfast Bar.
- Boys to the Bush Ltd – Supporting Wagga Wagga boys through 1:1 mentoring.
- Cancer Council NSW – Wagga Wagga Relay For Life 2026.
- Child Abuse Prevention Service – Safe Communities Safe Children (SCSC) – Primary Prevention and Early Intervention of child Sexual Abuse.
- Clontarf Foundation – Engage and support Aboriginal & Torres Strait islander young men to complete school and transition into employment or study.
- The Trustee for the Country Hope Trust – Support for Wagga Wagga children to attend Country Hope Camp.
- Escabags Ltd – Escabags – Escape Bags.
- Frontline Mental Health Alliance – Struggle Well – Wagga Wagga Pilot Program.
- Little Wings Limited – Little Wings Children’s Hospital Flight Program.
- Mental Health Carers Support – Mental Health Carers Support.
- NSW Service for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS) – Reclaiming Strength in Community Ezidi Women Survivors Recovery Program.
- Quest For Life Foundation – Regional Resilience & Wellbeing Initiative – Wagga Wagga.
- Ronald McDonald House – Keeping Families Together.
- The Sebastian Foundation – Open Parachute.
- SHINE for Kids Co-Operative Ltd – Connecting Kids.
- Stewart House – Supporting vulnerable public school children in the Wagga Wagga LGA to attend Stewart House.
- St Vincent De Paul Society NSW –Wagga Wagga Vinnies Van Outreach Service.
- St Vincent De Paul Society NSW – 2026 Edel Quinn – Supporting transitional housing in Wagga Wagga for residents exiting Edel Quinn.
