About us - Jupiters Casino Community Benefit Fund
The Queensland Government established the Jupiters Casino Community Benefit Fund (JCCBF) in 1987 to provide funding to community groups in Queensland.
One-off grants of up to $150,000 are allocated to approved not-for-profit organisations to help them provide community services or activities that benefit the community. These grants are not intended to replace existing sources of support for these organisations.
Where does the money come from?
The JCCBF receives money from taxes on casinos. It distributes these funds to community projects on a quarterly basis. The JCCBF is just one way the Government returns taxes from gambling activities. In redistributing gambling taxes through its grants program, the JCCBF plays an important role in ensuring, on balance, the whole State benefits from gambling in Queensland.
Who can apply?
Applications must be from Queensland-based organisations, located within the geographical jurisdiction from the Queensland and New South Wales border, to the northern boundaries of Boulia, Winton, Barcaldine and Isaac.
For further information see the jurisdiction map.
Funding Rounds
The JCCBF has four annual funding rounds. Applications are accepted at any time and there are no set closing dates. It is recommended that organisations should allow approximately six months from the date of submission for an outcome of their application.
JCCBF Board of Trustees
An independent community-based Board of Trustees considers all applications for funding and makes recommendations to the Minister on allocations from the JCCBF. The Trustees consider applications on a quarterly basis throughout the year.
The Community Benefit Funds Unit publish an Annual Allocations Report, which profiles the work of the fund throughout the year. It contains statistical information about grants distribution and gives examples of funded projects. This report, and previous years, are accessible from the publications and resources section.
Sarina Russo - Chairperson
Ms Russo is the Founder and Managing Director of the Sarina Russo Group. The Group includes Sarina Russo Schools Australia, Sarina Russo Job Access, Russo Recruitment, Russo Higher Education and Sarina Investments. She was a recipient of the Centenary Medal in 2003 for distinguished service to education and is co-author of Meet Me at the Top! (a motivational business text) launched in December 2002.
Ms Russo was recognised as one of the forty Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World in 2002 and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Owner/President Management Program. Sarina is a member of several boards including the Queensland Premier’s Business Advisory Board, Tourism Queensland, Council for Multicultural Australia, Queensland Education and Training Export Board, Women’s Leadership Board of the John F Kennedy School of Government and is chairperson of the Jupiters Casino Community Benefit Fund.
David Ford
David Ford has been Deputy Under Treasurer of Queensland Treasury since August 2005, following a period as Deputy Director-General in the Department of Tourism, Fair Trading and Wine Industry Development. Prior to this, he was Executive Director of the Queensland Office of Gaming Regulation within Queensland Treasury for more than a decade. Mr Ford is also a member of the South Bank Corporation, the International Association of Gaming Regulators, Chairperson of the Golden Casket Foundation Committee and trustee of the Breakwater Island, Jupiters and Reef Hotel Casino Community Benefit Fund.
John Lyons
Founder and former Chairman of Marketshare, John Lyons is now an independent Company Director and businessman, with a special interest in high-growth, seriously innovative companies: Chairman library technology company Softlink International Ltd, Director of O'Reilly's Rainforest Guesthouse and Canungra Valley Vineyard and Advisory Board Director of on-line human resource management technology company Onetest Pty Ltd. He is also a Trustee and Board member of the Royal Children's Hospital Foundation and Queensland Councillor of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Early in his career, John Lyons topped Australia in marketing with a global chemical company, Bayer. He then founded and built national market research and marketing company, Marketshare, selling it after 20 years. He is co-author with Dr Edward de Bono of the recently released best-selling book and video website Marketing Without Money, which examines the different thinking skills of top entrepreneurial innovators.
Graeme Downie
Graeme Downie is a Chartered Accountant whose business interests include ownership of the Charlies Restaurant in Surfers Paradise and partnership in Charlies Broadbeach. He continues to consult with Worrells, Gold Coast, his former practice. He currently sits on the boards of the Brisbane Bears/Brisbane Lions, Surfers Paradise Central Management Ltd/Surfers Paradise Management Ltd and is a Commissioner (appointed 1999) with AFL Queensland. Mr Downie brings extensive experience with sporting clubs to the Board of Trustees.Nicholas Xynias
Mr Xynias dedicates his time to community organisations such as the Australian Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) and to the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland. He is a member of the Queensland Commemorative Events and Celebrations Committee, Chairman of the Lord Mayor's Multicultural Round Table and is a committee member of a number of community organisations.Last reviewed 24 July 2009
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