Cardinia Shire Council is committed to supporting a vibrant, inclusive, and growing calendar of festivals and events that celebrate local identity, reflect the Shire's cultural diversity, and activate communities across the region.
Through the Festival and Events Grants Program, Council invests in grassroots and community-led initiatives that deliver lasting cultural, social, and economic outcomes for residents and visitors alike.
The 2026–2027 Program supports events to be held between July 2026 and June 2027.
The 2026-2027 Festival and Event Grant Guidelines have changed from previous years. Please ensure that you read the guidelines before commencing this application.
Festival and Event Grant Guidelines
There is no guarantee that previously funded festivals and events will be successful.
Funding Options
Small Community Grant | $1,000–$5,000 Designed for recognised civic and cultural celebrations. Eligible applicants may access up to three years of support. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until 30 June 2027, or until funds are fully committed.
Festivals and Events Grant | $5,001–$30,000 Open to one-off or recurring community festivals and events. Applications are accepted during the annual round and assessed by an Independent Assessment Panel.
Applicants must demonstrate a co-contribution toward the event, separate from the requested grant — for grants under $5,000, an in-kind contribution is sufficient; for grants of $5,001 or more, both a financial and in-kind contribution is required. Applicants must show how their event will remain financially viable and sustainable.
Funding Schedule
Small Community Grant: 100% of the grant is paid upon signing of the funding agreement. For multi-year funding recipients, subsequent years are paid following satisfactory acquittal of the previous year.
Festivals and Events:70% paid upon signing of the funding agreement and 30% paid upon completion of the event and all acquittal requirements
Important Note: Funding does not guarantee permission for your event.
It is your responsibility to secure the location of your event and obtain confirmation and/or a permit. It is your responsibility to complete required risk assessments, traffic management and waste management requirements with the relevant teams within council.
Event Permits: All events on Council managed land will be required to complete the event permit process. This is a separate application process which can be completed once you received the outcome of your grant application.
Risk Assessments: All events will require a risk assessment which will be approved by the risk team. This is a separate process and is your responsibility to action with the Risk Team directly.
Traffic and Waste Management: Must be managed independently between yourself and the relevant teams. Please ensure you have allowed adequate time for these requests to be actioned in time for your event to occur.
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