Submit Applications for Events Grants Program Round-2 (Australia)

Deadline: 25-Sep-26

Mount Alexander Shire Council is inviting local groups, organisations, and businesses to apply for its Event Grants Program, which provides funding and in-kind support for public events that benefit communities across the shire. The programme supports events that strengthen community connection, participation, social cohesion, cultural engagement, local identity, and economic activity. Funding is available through several streams, including grants of up to $5,000 for strategic events and quick response grants of up to $500 for small or time-sensitive events.

About the Event Grants Program

The Event Grants Program is designed to support public events that deliver measurable benefits to the Mount Alexander Shire community.

The programme aims to encourage:

- Community connection and participation. - Social cohesion. - Activation of local townships. - Stronger local identity. - Cultural participation. - A diverse and locally connected arts and cultural environment. - Local economic activity. - Support for local businesses. - Visitor attraction and tourism outcomes. - Environmental sustainability. Events should demonstrate a clear benefit to the local community and align with the objectives and priorities of Mount Alexander Shire Council. How Much Funding Is Available? Funding is available through several grant streams based on the scale and nature of the proposed event.

The available streams are:

- Tier 1 Local Community Events: Up to $1,000.

- Tier 2 Community and Regional Events: Up to $3,000.

- Tier 3 Strategic Events: Up to $5,000.

- Quick Response Grants: Up to $500 for small or time-sensitive events.

The programme may also provide in-kind support for eligible events. Tier 1 Local Community Events Tier 1 grants provide up to $1,000 for local community events. This stream is intended to support smaller events that contribute to community connection, participation, and local engagement within the shire. Tier 2 Community and Regional Events Tier 2 grants provide up to $3,000 for community and regional events. Events supported through this stream should demonstrate broader community benefits and contribute to participation, connection, cultural activity, or other outcomes aligned with the programme. Tier 3 Strategic Events Tier 3 grants provide up to $5,000 for strategic events. These events are assessed against additional criteria, including their potential economic and visitor impact, community and cultural significance, governance, financial strength, and sustainability. Multi-Year Funding for Strategic Events Multi-year funding is available for up to two Tier 3 events per year. Funding may be provided for up to three years, subject to annual review and reporting requirements. This provides eligible strategic events with the opportunity to develop longer-term planning and delivery arrangements. Quick Response Grants Quick Response Grants provide up to $500 for small or time-sensitive events. This stream is intended to provide support for eligible events where funding is needed quickly or where the scale of the event is relatively small. What Can the Funding Be Used For? Grant funding can support a wide range of costs associated with planning and delivering eligible public events.

Eligible event-related costs may include:

- Venue hire. - Equipment hire. - Event production and delivery. - Safety and risk management. - Accessibility improvements. - Waste management and sustainability initiatives. - Marketing and promotion. - Engagement with local suppliers. Applicants should ensure that proposed expenditure is directly connected to the delivery of the event and supports its objectives. Who Can Apply? The programme is open to a range of organisations and event organisers that meet the eligibility requirements.

Eligible applicants include:

- Not-for-profit organisations. - Community groups, with an auspice where required. - Schools. - Local businesses. - Commercial event organisers. - External organisations delivering events within Mount Alexander Shire. What Events Are Eligible?

To be eligible, events must:

- Be public events. - Be held within Mount Alexander Shire. - Demonstrate a clear benefit to the local community. - Align with relevant programme and Council priorities. Events should demonstrate how they will contribute to community, cultural, economic, visitor, or environmental outcomes as relevant to the particular funding stream. Who Is Not Eligible? Certain applicants and activities are excluded from funding. Ineligible applicants or activities include: - Applicants with outstanding acquittals. - Events held outside Mount Alexander Shire. - Private or closed events. - Activities that are the responsibility of other levels of government. Applicants should ensure that any previous grant obligations have been completed before applying. Community and Cultural Outcomes A major focus of the programme is strengthening community connection and participation. Events can contribute by creating opportunities for people to come together, participate in community activities, celebrate local identity, and engage with arts and culture. The programme also encourages the development of a diverse and locally connected arts and cultural environment within the shire. Economic and Tourism Outcomes Events may also support the local economy by encouraging visitor activity, attracting tourists, supporting local businesses, and engaging local suppliers. However, applicants must demonstrate a clear benefit to the Mount Alexander Shire community. Economic or tourism benefits should therefore complement the wider community outcomes of the proposed event. Environmental Sustainability Environmental sustainability is another potential area of benefit under the programme. Applicants can incorporate sustainability measures into their events through activities such as waste reduction and other environmentally responsible event practices. Funding can support eligible waste and sustainability initia