The Mossman Pony Club and Port Douglas Surf Life Saving Club have joined the Douglas Cricket Association in receiving funding from the State Government's Community Benefit Fund.

The Pony Club has been given $34,187 to purchase equestrian equipment while the PDSLSC will receive $5,757 for new rescue boards and a mannequin for training.

Cook MP Jason O'Brien recently announced more than $367,000 worth of funding and more than $42,300 of Reef Hotel Casino Community Benefit Fund grants would be delivered to provide much needed services within the Cook region.

“Community groups in the Cook electorate work hard to support our communities and assist those in need,” Mr O'Brien said.

“Unfortunately income for community groups can be difficult to predict and cause a challenge when planning budgets and prioritising work."

Mr O'Brien said some community groups would use the grant money to go green.

“I am pleased to say that $12,300 worth of funding has also been approved for the Mareeba United Football Club in solar sport and community group grants,” Mr O'Brien said.

“By switching to solar energy, sporting and community groups can not only help reduce Queensland’s carbon foot print, they can also make great savings on their electricity bills."

The Gambling Community Benefit Fund offers grants of up to $35 000, or more for complex applications, to assist community organisations throughout Queensland to meet the ongoing demand for their services.

The Reef Hotel Casino Community Benefit Fund offers grants of up to $15 000, or up to $25,000 for complex applications, to assist community organisations in far north Queensland to meet the ongoing demand for their services.

To apply for a grant visit the OLGR website.

Applications for the next round of funding close on 31 August 2011.