Festival and Events Grants Program

Key dates

• Assessment of applications: April to May 2024
• Recommendations considered by Council: June 2024
• Applicants notified: July 2024

Types of events supported through this program

• Community festivals and events
• Art festivals and events
• Cultural festivals and events
• Agricultural shows and major events

What won't be funded

• Activities held outside Cardinia Shire
• Costs related to ongoing operations and core business including staff salaries to include the words including administration and project management costs.
• Requests for retrospective funding, where an event has already been held, or is scheduled to be held before, or after, the annual (based on financial year) funding period
• Festivals and events that seek to promote, launch or expo an organisation or service
• Fundraising activities
• Catering
• Prize money or competitions
• Markets
• School events
• Capital works or facility maintenance costs
• Festivals and events that benefit a specific audience to the exclusion of the broader community
• Organisations that have failed to comply with the terms and conditions of previously awarded grants.

Is my group eligible?

To be eligible for this grants program, groups and organisations must be:

• not-for-profit
• locally based and/or servicing Cardinia Shire residents; and
• a Community Asset Committee of Council; or
• incorporated (or be auspiced by an incorporated organisation – please note, Community Asset Committee's cannot take on the function of an auspice)

If a licence, lease or funding agreement exists between Council and the community organisation, then the agreements need to be signed and current in order for applications to be considered.

Community groups with incomplete or outstanding projects are not eligible to apply for further projects and applications will not be considered.

Individuals, community organisations who are not incorporated and commercial organisations are not eligible to apply.

Questions?

For more information contact the Risk, Health and Safety team on 1300 787 624 or events@cardinia.vic.gov.au

Benefits of festivals and events

Festival and events grants support a comprehensive and diverse mix of festivals and events so that all members of the community have access to, and may participate in activities that reflect and celebrate local identity, interests and diversity.

Festival and events aim to:

• increase the vibrancy and cohesiveness of a community
• meet the diverse and changing interests of a community
• positively promote the host community
• provide an opportunity for fun and enjoyment
• recognise and profile local artists and/or community members who make a substantial contribution to their community
• provide opportunities for skill development through organisation and/or participation
• lead to economic benefits for local businesses and increased employment
• lead to the development of partnerships between community groups, local businesses, government and other agencies.