The Minor Event funding stream is for smaller sized events. Grants are available from $500 up to $2,000 for a one-off event.

The event grant application should align with, and address the following objectives:

• Economic benefit: to bring economic activity and benefits to our community via the events through activation and engagement of local suppliers and contractors.
• Celebration: to encourage a diverse range of events and celebrate the visitor economy product strengths in the region.
• Wellbeing and community pride: encourage groups/organisations to deliver events that increase participation and contribute to the well-being of the Greater Shepparton community.
• Capacity Building: help develop event coordination skills of the Greater Shepparton community.
• Social Benefits: To build social relationships for our culturally diverse region by fostering and strengthening supportive inclusion between individuals and diverse groups.

The Major Event Funding grant is for larger events that attract visitors from outside of Greater Shepparton and increase community participation. Grants are available from $2,000 up to $5,000.

The event grant application should align with and address the following objectives:

• Economic benefit: to maximise the economic benefits to our community from scheduled festivals, cultural events, business events, major events and sporting activities.
• Event visitation to the region: to sustainably build the profile of events in the region, to increase visitation and yield and to sustainability build the volume of the region’s visitor experience product. A minimum attendance of 350 is required for this category for a single day event however events that run over multiple consecutive days and have overnight stays can have less numbers.
• Regional profile: to generate interest and raise the profile, brand, liveability and reputation of Greater Shepparton throughout Victoria.
• Celebration: to encourage a diverse range of events to celebrate the visitor economy product strengths in the region.
• Wellbeing: encourage groups/organisations to deliver events that contribute to the participation and wellbeing of the Greater Shepparton community.
• Social Benefits: to build social relationships for our culturally diverse region by fostering and strengthening supportive inclusion between individuals and diverse groups.
• Education: to develop general public and community awareness and understanding about the benefit of the visitor economy and create tourism opportunities in the region.
• Capacity Building: Help develop event coordination skills of the applicants and the Greater Shepparton community

Applicants may apply for funding for more than one event however each event may only receive funding once in each financial year. You can apply for an additional grant only if it relates to a separate event.

No. Council must comply with the Local Government Act in regards to making information available to the general public. Your application outcome will form part of the Council report which is publicly available on Council’s website.

Applications are reviewed by an internal assessment panel and a summary of the recommended applicants is reviewed by the Grants Coordinator and the relevant Director. Recommendations are then presented to Councillors for their information.

Payments will be made once your signed agreement is received, which can take up to four weeks.

Council is committed to ensuring the assessment process is fair and equitable. Recurring annual funding is not guaranteed. Your application will be assessed in a competitive round against all applications received.

• Seek additional funding from other sources. Council will not fund the entire cost of your event.
• Consider the location of your event and ensure you have considered all
  permit and booking requirements
• Make your event accessible to a broad audience and consider delivering a free component

Applying for a Minor or Major Event Grant does not prevent you from applying for other Council grants. However if you are applying for the same project via two different streams, if successful, you will only be successful in one stream which Council will feel is the best fit for your project.

Consideration will be taken to ensure fairness across Council’s grant opportunities.

You can approach a larger organisation to partner with your community group or organisation to receive funding. The ‘auspice organisation’ takes responsibility (legal and financial) of the funding on your groups behalf. They will sign your agreement, receive and distribute the funds under the agreement, ensure events are completed and submit accountability and evaluation reports on your behalf.