Council’s Event Grants and Sponsorship Program in Australia

Deadline: 10-Jul-25

The Northern Beaches Council is seeking applications for Event Grants and Sponsorship Program to supports businesses and community groups to deliver a rich and diverse calendar of events on the Northern Beaches.

The Grant Program is designed to enable the delivery of new or expanded events by assisting with start-up or one-time costs associated with the event such as purchase of equipment or seed funding to get an event off the ground. Grants are not recurring or ongoing and are designed to underwrite the costs of specific expenses in launching or growing your event.

Goals

• Council aims to support events that contribute towards the following goals and strategies:
  • The Council leads by example in environmental sustainability and resilience.
    • Develop a culture of commitment to environmental sustainability and lead by example.
  • The community has access to a diverse range of cultural activities and events.
    • Support innovative ideas and build the capacity of local cultural and creative communities.
    • Expand cultural events and creative opportunities, to enable social interaction and cohesion, and stimulate wellbeing.
    • Encourage a broad range of activities that enable social interaction, stimulate wellbeing, and support people at each stage of their lives.
  • The community is inclusive and connected.
    • Build capacity of the social sector, community groups, recreational groups and facilitate volunteer opportunities.
    • Build an inclusive and resilient community and break down institutional and social barriers to enable all people, irrespective of age, gender and identity, to participate in community life.
    • Recognise and honour Aboriginal culture and heritage.
    • Celebrate diversity in all forms as essential to an inclusive and engaged community.
  • Their centres are sustainable, encompassing a diverse range of businesses that attract visitation and provide work, education, leisure and social opportunities.
    • Enhance and extend opportunities for a sustainable visitor economy throughout the area.
    • Facilitate active, safe and welcoming centres for residents and visitors during the day and into the evening.

Priorities

• Strategic framework and priorities The Event Grants and Sponsorship Program aims to address Council’s vision and values outlined in the Community Strategic Plan and achieve the following community outcomes:
  • Environmental sustainability – aspiring to be leaders in managing their resources sustainably and for the long term to ensure that development is balanced with their lifestyle and environment.
  • Community and belonging – aspiring to be resilient, ensuring that people feel safe, supported, included, and have diverse opportunities for a rich cultural and social life.
  • Vibrant local economy – aspiring to create a thriving and vibrant local economy where traditional and new industries are supported.

Funding Information

• The total funding pool for the Event Grants and Sponsorship Program for 2025/26 is $114,490 excluding GST.
• If all available funding is not allocated in the first round, Council will look to open a second round if timing permits. Once all funding has been allocated, no further assessments will be conducted until the next round is announced for the following year.
• A grant or sponsorship request can be for any amount but must be able to provide justification for the amount requested within the context of the budget and event plan. Event funding is generally capped at $10,000, and the average grant is approximately $4,000.
• Where events attract significant attendance, have stakeholder partnerships with State Government like Destination NSW, and demonstrate measurable, high-impact economic, social and community outcomes, funding of up to $50,000 may be negotiated.

Expected Outcomes

• Project outcomes This grant and sponsorship program supports projects that contribute to one or more of the following outcomes:
  • Community
    • Promote cultural connection
    • Increase community satisfaction
    • Encourage cultural diversity and inclusiveness
    • Promote a more active lifestyle
    • Promote awareness of environmental programs and initiatives
    • Encourage the protection of environmental values
  • Social
    • Strengthen local cohesion
    • Promote a sense of belonging and wellbeing
    • Encourage community participation and involvement
    • Enhance the sense of place and promote liveability for local residents
  • Arts and culture
    • Boost creativity and innovation
    • Promote opportunities to work collaboratively in partnerships
    • Build capacity in the community and local leadership
  • Economic
    • Support local businesses and job creation
    • Increase tourist visitation and spend
    • Showcase local industries
    • Enhance the profile of key destinations
  • Project outcome indicators
    • The assessment panel will consider the following indicators for how well you address the project outcomes:
      • applicant has outcomes that are clear
      • applicant has outcomes that are achievable
      • application shows consideration for how the success of the project will be measured, by including key indicators to demonstrate that the stated outcomes have been achieved.

Eligible Activities

• A number of activities associated with events require approval from Council and other agencies such as the Police. These can include but are not limited to:
  • Public reserve bookings
  • Waste management & cleaning
  • Liquor licence
  • Fireworks
  • Aquatic licence
  • Environmental health (food related)
  • Machinery/vehicle access
  • Temporary structures
  • Public Address systems
  • Musical performances
  • Lighting
  • Power/generators
  • Road closure/traffic management
  • Car parking
  • Community centre bookings
  • Filming and photography
  • Busking

Ineligible Activities

• Recurring or ongoing operational expenses not directly related to the event – grant and sponsorship funding must only be applied to costs associated with the proposed event
• Payment of debts
• Funding of prizes or trophies
• Fundraising for political parties or religious groups
• Projects/events that contravene one or more Council policy
• Events that are seen to be in competition or conflict with Council activities
• Regular events such as gatherings, markets or sport
• Events that fit better in another Council grants program
• Online events, unless an in-person event is not possible

 Eligibility Criteria

• Organisations must: be one of the following:
  • incorporated
  • an individual or other type of entity operating a business (with an ABN)
  • individuals, community groups and unincorporated associations that are sponsored/auspiced by an entity that is eligible to apply for a grant under these Guidelines
  • demonstrate significant benefits to the local community, businesses and/or Council for assessment
  • be able to demonstrate their entity type, for example, registration with NSW Fair Trading, ASIC or the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission (ACNC)
  • not owe any outstanding rates or debts to Council
  • be up to date or have completed and adequately acquitted of any previous grant/sponsorship funding from Northern Beaches Council
• acknowledge if the event is for the purpose of fundraising either for itself, or a third party, hold a current “Authority to Fundraise” from NSW Fair Trading and must identify the beneficiaries which must be:
  • An eligible organisation in its own right
  • Based on the Northern Beaches
  • Provide primary benefit to the Northern Beaches community
  • Agree to provide additional information in the final report and acquittal.
  • Applicants and/or events which have previously received financial support from Council will be assessed on past performance. Existing events must demonstrate innovation and/or expansion to be considered under additional grant applications.
• Events must:
  • be open to the public to attend and/or participate
  • be held within the Northern Beaches LGA
  • be held by 31 August 2026 and payment must be made by 30 June 2026
  • provide an opportunity for measurable economic, social, environmental and/or cultural benefits to the Northern Beaches community
  • provide opportunities for the community to participate in and contribute to activities/events in the Northern Beaches LGA
  • be as accessible and inclusive as possible
  • promote the Northern Beaches and contribute to its reputation as a great place to live, visit, work and invest
  • promote environmental sustainability and adhere to Council’s policy
  • support local businesses and boost the local economy where possible
  • promote effective transportation and connectivity for people to get to and from the event
  • not be overtly religious or political, nor fundraise for political or religious parties
  • not be divisive or offensive to the general community
  • not promote tobacco products or gambling.

Ineligibility Criteria

• You can submit more than one application if you have more than one project eligible for Northern Beaches Council grants, however, you cannot be funded for the same application/project under multiple grant programs
• Northern Beaches Council does not provide grants to projects that:
  • duplicate existing services or programs unless there is a demonstrated additional need
  • have already occurred (no retrospective funding)
  • are already funded by another Northern Beaches Council grant program.

For more information, visit Northern Beaches Council.