Applications Open for Community Event Sponsorship Fund (Australia)

Deadline: 30-Sep-2026

The Bellingen Shire Council Community Event Sponsorship Fund (CESF) provides funding to support local events that raise awareness of Bellingen Shire and contribute to a connected, sustainable and creative community. The fund supports events that align with the vision outlined in Our Plan for the Future, while encouraging partnerships between community organisations, innovation, creativity and broader promotion of Bellingen Shire. Eligible applicants can receive up to $5,000 per project for approved event-related costs during the applicable funding period.

About the Community Event Sponsorship Fund

The Community Event Sponsorship Fund is designed to help local events strengthen the profile of Bellingen Shire while creating positive community outcomes.

The program aims to:

- Promote Bellingen Shire to broader regions. - Foster partnerships between community organisations. - Encourage innovation and creativity. - Strengthen community connections. - Support a sustainable and creative local community. - Generate measurable economic, social or community benefits. The fund is particularly suited to events that can demonstrate benefits beyond the immediate event itself and contribute to the broader profile and development of the Shire. How Much Funding Is Available? Council will consider funding of up to: $5,000 per project For the second funding round, the grant expenditure period runs from November 2026 to June 30, 2027. Applicants should ensure that their proposed expenditure falls within the applicable funding period. What Activities Can Be Funded? The Community Event Sponsorship Fund can support several event-related expenses.

Eligible activities include:

- Purchase of equipment. - Hire of equipment. - Promotional materials specifically related to the event. - Venue hire. - Entertainment. However, these costs must not be the major component of the funding requested. Applicants should therefore demonstrate a balanced and clearly justified event budget rather than requesting funding primarily for one of these expenditure categories. Who Can Apply? The fund is open to several types of organisations and community groups.

Eligible applicants include:

- Incorporated not-for-profit organisations with a registered ABN. - Unincorporated groups with an eligible auspicing body. - Registered charities. - Social enterprises with a mission-driven structure and goals. Applicants should be able to demonstrate that their organisation or group has a genuine community-focused purpose.

Eligibility for Social Enterprises

Social enterprises can apply where they can demonstrate a mission-driven structure and goals. However, the proposed event must not be designed primarily to generate commercial profit or deliver solely commercial outcomes. The community benefit and alignment with the objectives of the Community Event Sponsorship Fund should be clearly demonstrated. Where Should the Event Benefit the Community? The fund is intended to support events connected with Bellingen Shire and its broader community. Applicants should demonstrate how their event contributes to the profile of the Shire and supports the vision of a connected, sustainable and creative community. Events that can demonstrate wider regional awareness or promotion of Bellingen Shire may be particularly relevant to the objectives of the program. Commercial Activities and Outcomes Projects must not be undertaken for commercial gain or deliver solely commercial outcomes. This means applicants should clearly explain the broader community, social, economic or promotional benefits associated with their event. Social enterprises may be eligible, but the event must still meet the community-focused objectives of the fund. Community Need and Support Applicants are required to demonstrate community need and support for the proposed event.

A strong application should explain:

- Why the event is needed. - Who will benefit. - How the community has been consulted. - What evidence of community support exists. - How the event will contribute to Bellingen Shire. - What measurable benefits are expected. Demonstrating genuine local support can help show that the proposed event has meaningful community value. Alignment With Program Objectives Applicants should clearly demonstrate how their event aligns with the objectives of the Community Event Sponsorship Fund and the broader vision outlined in Our Plan for the Future. Projects should contribute to a community that is: - Connected. - Sustainable. - Creative. - Inclusive. - Innovative. - Accessible. Applicants should make these connections clear rather than assuming the alignment will be obvious to assessors. Social Inclusion and Accessibility Council gives preference to projects that encourage social inclusion and accessibility. Applicants should consider whether the proposed event creates opportunities for participation by a broad range of community members. Applications should explain how the event can reduce barriers to participation and create an inclusive experience for residents and visitors. Innovation and Creativity Innovation and creativity are also important considerations under the fund. Applicants should describe any innovative or creative elements of their event and explain how these features contribute to the event’s overall value. Creative approaches can also help events stand out while supporting the broader vision of a creative Bellingen Shire. Economic, Social and Community Benefits Applications are assessed partly on the benefits the proposed event can generate.

Applicants should identify measurable:

- Economic benefits. - Social benefits. - Community benefits. - Promotional benefits for Bellingen Shire. Where possible, applicants should explain how these benefits will be measured or demonstrated. Event Budget Requirements Applicants are required to submit a comprehensive budget.

The budget should clearly show:

- Expected event costs. - The amount being requested from Council.