Community Events Grant guidelines

1. Before you start

Please read all the information contained in these guidelines and the application form before applying. This will give you the best chance of success by making sure your application meets each of the selection criteria.

The application form is required to be completed online through SmartyGrants. This is explained in Section 8.

We’re here to help! Call Council’s events team on 4474 1247.

2. Closing date

All applications must be submitted online by the advertised closing date and time.

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

3. Do you have a great idea for a community event?

The aim of the Community Events Grant is to support local organisations to plan and deliver successful community events.

We are seeking community events that generate community participation, create a positive community identity, celebrate the cultural and social life of our community and can adhere to current COVID-19 guidelines.

4. Funding availability

Community Event Grants of up to $2,000 are available to support not-for-profit community groups and organisations.

Funding will be provided on a once-off basis without a commitment to ongoing funding.

Applicants may only receive grant funds from Council’s Community Grant Fund once per financial year.

Funds may be spent only on approved items and activities specified in the grant application, and any alterations must be discussed with the Council’s Event Coordinator. Please be aware that the amount of Community Event Grants requested each year may outweigh the available budget, therefore, not all requests will be funded.

5. Assessment criteria

Please check each point listed in the three sections below to ensure your project meets all relevant criteria.

Funding eligibility criteria

• Must hold public liability insurance to the value of $20 million and provide a copy of certificate of currency for Public Liability Insurance to the Council prior to receiving funds
• The event must be held in the Eurobodalla and benefit the local community.
• Must not have already received a grant from the Eurobodalla Shire Council in this current financial year
• Have satisfactorily acquitted any Eurobodalla Shire Council funding, donation or grant allocation from previous years if applicable
• Have the capacity to successfully plan, deliver and acquit a compliant event

Community event criteria

• Applicant can effectively describe the expected outcomes of the community event
• The proposed community event generates community participation, creates a positive community identity and celebrates the cultural and social life of our community
• The proposed community event does not duplicate an event already available in the local area and does not clash with other Eurobodalla planned community events

Projects NOT considered for Community Event Grant funding

• Fundraising events that donate all their surplus funds at the cost of being financially sustainable
• Capital works and facility maintenance projects
• Retrospective applications
• Community events with a political campaign focus
• Travel, accommodation costs or any costs associated with local, national or interstate representation of any programs, projects and services considered the responsibility of other government departments, individuals and private-for-profit groups

6. Funding Agreement

The Funding Agreement will also outline how you will need to acknowledge the contribution made by Eurobodalla Shire Council to your event. This may include but is not limited to:

• Create, update and maintain an event listing on www.eurobodalla.com.au
• Council having the opportunity to display banners (as supplied by Council) at events
• Council having the opportunity for a stall at the events
• MC/PA announcements acknowledging Council’s support on the day of event
• Including the Council logo or a suitable statement of Council’s support on all marketing material and advertising associated with the event

If the event is cancelled, the funds will be required to be repaid to Council.

7. Acquittal of funds

Successful applicants are required to provide to Council, within two months of the completion of the event, a post-event report and a brief financial statement detailing how the funds were expended.

The post-event report should include:

• a brief evaluation report which clearly demonstrates key outcomes achieved for the Eurobodalla economy
• examples of promotional materials acknowledging Eurobodalla Shire Council as a funding partner
• a financial summary providing details of income and expenditure.

Applicants that do not complete evaluation reports will be ineligible for future funding.

8. How to apply

Use our online application tool to prepare and submit your application:

• Get started on SmartyGrants.

SmartyGrants allows users to work on their application progressively and securely. If you’re a new user, you will need to start by registering a new user account at the above address. You will need an email address that you have regular access to, and all written notifications relating to your application will be provided via email.

Select the Community Events Grant Program application. Once registered and logged in you will be redirected to the “Before you Begin” page, which will have important information that will help you through the process of submitting an online grant application. Please read this, and then select “Fill Out Now” button located at the top of the page. This will take you to the application form where you can commence your application. Applicants can only apply online when funding rounds open.

Support or access to computers and the internet can be provided if required.

Contact us

Prior to preparing your application, we encourage you to discuss your application with Council’s events team.