Request for Applications: Community Events Grants (Australia)

The City of Greater Geelong Community Events Grants provide funding of up to $10,000 to support public events that deliver social, cultural, and economic benefits across the Greater Geelong region. With a total funding pool of $150,000, the program encourages inclusive community events, supports local businesses, and activates public spaces through festivals, sporting events, and cultural celebrations.

Community Events Grants Overview

The Community Events Grants program, offered by the City of Greater Geelong, provides financial assistance to organizations and businesses delivering public events that strengthen community connections, celebrate local culture, encourage tourism, and generate economic activity.

The program supports moderately sized public events that are open to the community, publicly promoted, and held within the Greater Geelong municipality. The grants aim to enhance community participation while contributing to the region’s cultural vibrancy and economic growth.

Purpose

The Community Events Grants aim to:

• Support the delivery of new and innovative community events.
• Generate economic benefits for local businesses and traders.
• Promote tourism and visitor engagement across Greater Geelong.
• Celebrate the region’s diverse cultural identity.
• Encourage inclusive and accessible community participation.
• Activate community hubs, halls, sporting facilities, cultural venues, and public open spaces.
• Strengthen community connections through public events.

Funding Information

• Maximum funding per application: Up to $10,000
• Total funding pool: $150,000
• Funding is awarded through a competitive assessment process.
• Meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee funding.

Eligible Expenses

Funding may be used for event-related costs, including:

• Contractors and professional services.
• Equipment hire.
• Event-specific insurance.
• Security services.
• Stage hire.
• Additional event-related staff wages.
• Toilet hire.
• Venue hire.

Eligible Events

The grants support moderately sized public events that:

• Are open to the general public.
• Are publicly advertised.
• Occur as one-off or recurring events.
• Attract 300 or more attendees.
• Deliver community and economic benefits.

Examples of eligible events include:

• Community festivals.
• Food and wine festivals.
• Music festivals and concerts.
• Cultural celebrations.
• State sporting events.
• National sporting events.
• Community gatherings.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Incorporated not-for-profit organizations.
• Unincorporated community groups with an auspice organization.
• Registered charitable organizations.
• Businesses.
• Sole traders with an active ABN.
• Schools and learning institutions for non-curriculum-based community participation activities.

Applicants should demonstrate that the proposed event:

• Benefits the Greater Geelong community.
• Aligns with the objectives of the grant program.
• Is publicly accessible.
• Encourages community participation.

Funding Priorities

Priority may be given to:

• Applicants that did not receive Community Events Grant funding during the previous year.
• Organizations that do not receive income from electronic gaming machines (EGMs) or gambling.
• New or unique events introduced to the Greater Geelong region.
• Events held during the off-peak period (April to September).
• Events with strong community and economic impact.

Application Process

Applicants should:

• Review the program guidelines and eligibility criteria.
• Develop an event plan and budget.
• Gather supporting documentation.
• Complete the application form.
• Submit the application before the closing date.
• Await assessment and funding notification.

How the Grant Program Works (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Ensure your organization and proposed event satisfy the program requirements.

Step 2: Plan Your Event

Develop an event that:

• Is open to the public.
• Attracts at least 300 attendees.
• Delivers community and economic benefits.

Step 3: Prepare Your Budget

Estimate project costs and identify eligible expenses for grant funding.

Step 4: Complete the Application

Provide detailed information about:

• Event objectives.
• Activities.
• Expected attendance.
• Community benefits.
• Budget.
• Project timeline.

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Submit the completed application with all required supporting documents before the deadline.

Step 6: Assessment

Applications are assessed competitively based on:

• Eligibility.
• Community benefit.
• Economic impact.
• Event quality.
• Alignment with funding priorities.

Step 7: Funding Decision

Successful applicants receive grant funding to deliver approved public events within Greater Geelong.

Why It Matters

The Community Events Grants help to:

• Strengthen community engagement.
• Support local tourism.
• Increase economic activity for local businesses.
• Celebrate cultural diversity.
• Activate public spaces across Greater Geelong.
• Encourage community participation and inclusion.
• Build a vibrant and connected municipality.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Proposing events that are not open to the public.
• Estimating attendance below 300 participants.
• Including ineligible project expenses.
• Submitting incomplete applications.
• Providing unrealistic budgets.
• Failing to demonstrate community and economic benefits.
• Assuming eligibility guarantees funding.

Tips for a Strong Application

To improve your chances of success:

• Clearly explain the community benefits of your event.
• Demonstrate how the event supports local businesses and tourism.
• Highlight inclusivity and accessibility.
• Prepare a realistic and detailed budget.
• Show evidence of community demand and expected attendance.
• Align your event with the program objectives.
• Review the application thoroughly before submission.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the maximum grant available?

Applicants may request up to $10,000 per event.

2. What is the total funding pool?

The Community Events Grants program has a total funding pool of $150,000.

3. What types of events are eligible?

Eligible events include community festivals, food and wine festivals, music events, cultural celebrations, and state or national sporting events that are open to the public.

4. How many attendees should an event attract?

Eligible events are expected to attract 300 or more attendees.

5. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, registered charities, businesses, sole traders with an active ABN, schools for non-curriculum activities, and unincorporated groups with an auspice organization.

6. What expenses can the grant fund?

Funding may support contractors, equipment hire, event insurance, security, staging, venue hire, toilet hire, and additional event-related staffing costs.

7. What types of applications receive priority?

Priority may be given to applicants that did not receive funding in the previous year, organizations without gambling-related income, new or unique events, and events held during the off-peak period from April to September.

Conclusion

The City of Greater Geelong Community Events Grants provide valuable funding to support public events that strengthen communities, celebrate cultural diversity, stimulate local economic growth, and activate public spaces across Greater Geelong. By investing in inclusive and high-quality events, the program helps create vibrant community experiences while supporting tourism, local businesses, and long-term regional development.