All applications must meet the eligibility criteria, as listed below.

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:

a. an eligible organisation in its own right

b. based on the Northern Beaches

c. provide primary benefit to the Northern Beaches community

d. agree to provide additional information in the final report and acquittal – further information is in the FAQ section.

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.

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

General exclusions

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.

Grant funding cannot be used for operational expenses, such as rent, ongoing staff wages, insurance, utilities, day-to-day general office supplies not directly related to the project, travel or accommodation expenses.

Please contact Council’s Events Team at events@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au if you are not sure if you meet the eligibility requirements.

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 be 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 their 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. 

Council aims to support events to become financially sustainable in future. Therefore, please keep in mind that events which request funding to cover the total event expense budget are highly unlikely to be awarded full funding unless they can demonstrate how they will become financially independent in future. Signature event applications may be negotiated on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Council’s Events Team at events@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au for further information.

Grant applications will be assessed against the following assessment criteria:

The application form will be scaled commensurate with the value of the funding you are requesting from this grant and sponsorship program. However, the panel will be looking for evidence that your application:

• has a sound basis for the event concept that aligns with the character and culture of the local area
• has a clear event plan detailing the event structure, operational processes and risk management
• has a well-structured and organised event management committee or company with appropriate skills to deliver and market the event
• has strategies for measuring visitation and the visitor experience
• demonstrates sound financial management in budget planning
• has relevant approvals from Council and/or other authorities
• has considered whether the event is complementary to the proposed location.

For signature events whether your application:

• demonstrates capacity to attract significant participation/attendance numbers 
• attracts destination visitors and the potential for multiple night stays in local accommodation
• demonstrates clear marketing strategies for raising awareness of the event outside the Northern Beaches
• demonstrates measurable economic
• benefits to the local business community.

Useful questions to consider:

• Why are you proposing this project?
• What outcome(s) do you want to achieve?
• How does this project address a key priority or multiple key priorities of Council?
• How does this project involve community members and build their capacity?
• How is the activity inclusive of people from diverse backgrounds?
• Do you or your organisation have the skills and capacity to deliver this project?