Twenty-three projects received between $1000 and $20,000 from the 2018-19 funding allocation, which totalled $121,730 and was handed out late last month.

ClubGrants funding is made available by clubs that earn more than $1 million annually in gaming machine revenue, and is distributed to projects or services that contribute to the welfare and social fabric of the community, and improve the living standards of low-income and disadvantaged people.

Local clubs including Cessnock Leagues Club, East Cessnock Bowling Club, Greta Workers Club, Kurri Kurri Bowling Club and Weston Workers Club work together with Cessnock City Council to identify and fund valuable community programs.

"The ClubGrants program continues to fund local projects that deliver positive social outcomes for our communities," Cessnock Leagues Club CEO and Cessnock ClubGrants Committee spokesperson Paul Cousins said.

This year's focus areas included Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, homelessness, mental health and wellbeing, social isolation, education, employment programs, access and inclusion, and youth.

Hunter Prelude Early Intervention Centre at Kurri Kurri was one of this year's major beneficiaries, receiving a total of $20,000 for its Play Strong Playgroup program.

Hunter Prelude general manager, Kimberley Lewis said this funding will support the centre to continue to operate the playgroup,a free and inclusive program for children with developmental delay difficulties, which creates opportunities for children and their families to learn and develop new skills.

"With this additional funding Hunter Prelude will have the ability to link our families to speech pathologists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists during the program to further assist families," Ms Lewis said.

"We are grateful for the investment clubs continue to make to support families in our local community."

Cessnock's Hunter Hands of Hope received $10,000 in funding for their ongoing support of homeless and underprivileged people in the local area.

Hunter Hands of Hope president Melissa Gontier said the funding will enable the service to continue operation from its current location.

"This will ensure the continued provision of services to the homeless, disadvantaged and vulnerable sector of the Cessnock community," Ms Gontier said.

"The service includes provision of an evening meal six nights a week supplemented with breakfast and snack packs for the following day."

The Cessnock LGA ClubGrants Committee received 60 applications for this year's program.

Cessnock City Council's community and cultural engagement officer Jo Miller said it was a "great achievement" to be able to partially and fully fund 23 projects out of these applications.