Event Grants

Grant Objective

To support event organisations to ensure all residents and visitors have access to a range of recreational, social and cultural activities and events.

Events held in Indigo Shire will be a celebration of place and foster town vibrancy. Events will be inclusive, accessible and be open to local community members and visitors alike. Commercial or not for profit organisations can host events which are available either free or through ticket purchases.

Indigo Shire Council is committed to working in partnership with local clubs, community groups, committees, service providers and businesses to deliver place-based events that consider:

• Volunteerism and opportunities for participation
• Economic yield
• Township vibrancy – celebration of place
• Resilience through connectivity
• Building place profile
• Creativity and innovation
• Inclusion and accessibility
• Environmental sustainability

Grant Aims

• To ensure fair and transparent access to Council funding for groups meeting the grant eligibility criteria.
• To ensure grant funding is used to support Council Plan objectives, with a particular emphasis on disadvantaged and specific need groups and organisations.
• To ensure all grant applications are considered in a consistent and objective manner.
• To provide access to funding for groups who may be unable to secure funding through alternative grants streams.

Application Process

Before you get started:

1. Read these Guidelines and check your eligibility.
2. Attend drop in session to ask any questions about your application.

How To apply:

Applications must be submitted online at www.indigoshire.vic.gov.au/Community/Grants

Please contact our Event Grants Team on 1300 365 003 if you require assistance to apply.

Key dates:

• Applications are open 1 July.
• Applications close 4 August at 4.00pm: Late applications will not be considered.
• Applicants will be notified of assessment outcome in September.

Grant Eligibility

Discuss the proposed project with relevant council staff.

• The event is to take place within Indigo Shire.
• The event must take place in the 2025-2026 financial year.

Must Haves:

ð Groups must demonstrate a significant contribution in the form of cash, voluntary service or in-kind support.

ð Groups must have an ABN or be willing to complete an ATO Statement by Supplier Form.

ð The applicant must have appropriate public liability insurance.

ð All funded projects must obtain relevant permits and approvals prior to project commencement.

Who Can Apply

• All applicant organisations must either be incorporated, a registered business, be auspiced by another group or become incorporated as a condition of funding.
• Group or organisation open to or accessible by Indigo Shire residents.

Who Cannot Apply

• Events from commercial entities in the 4th year of receiving event grant funding.
• Groups already in receipt of significant Councilsupport.
• Applications from organisations with outstanding acquittals from previous Council grant rounds will not be considered.

What Will Be Funded

• Events which respond to one or more of the aforementioned program objectives.
• An event which is to take place within Indigo Shire.
• An event which is to take place in the 2026-2027 financial year.
• Road closures.
• Municipal reserve hire.
• Permit from council.
• Cleaning and Toilet/Bin hire.
• Town signage.

What Won’t Be Funded

• Events supporting causes not aligning with Council values.
• Events which take place outside of Indigo Shire.
• An event which does not take place in 2026-2027.
• Programs and projects considered the major responsibility of State or Federal Government.
• Unreasonable event coordinator salary or project management fees beyond industry rates.
• Prize money and charitable donations.
• Assets and equipment.

Additional Information

• Only ONE application per group can be submitted

General Conditions

Volunteers

Volunteers may be required to obtain Police Checks and Working with Children Check for certain events. These checks are free and are mandatory if there are young people attending your event.

Funding acknowledgement requirements

Where appropriate, Indigo Shire Council must be acknowledged as a sponsor and the Indigo Shire Council logo must be included in marketing and event collateral including but not limited to printed promotional material (brochures, signage, flyers), newspaper and television advertising and digital media. Councillors may be invited to events where relevant. A funding acknowledgement plan will be agreed to by Council and noted on the funding agreement.

Funding agreement

All grant recipients will be required to sign and funding agreement with Council. Non- compliance with the funding agreement conditions, may result in Council requiring the return of Council funding. Other costs Unless agreed otherwise through the grant provision, all other costs associated with the event are the responsibility of the organising committee.

Available Funding 2026/2027

A total of $60,000 is available for community events in 2026-2027.

Successful grants will range from $1000 to $10,000.

If your event requires a financial investment that is less than $1000 please speak to a Council Officer.

Council is unable to provider further financial support for any event costs. Applications from commercial businesses will be able to apply for financial investment for up to 3 years. Past this, an event will need to demonstrate significant innovation that satisfies the objectives of the grant program to be eligible.

Grant Assessment

The assessment of Indigo Event Grants applications is the responsibility of the Indigo Event Grants Assessment Panel who is made up of representatives from the following organisations:

• Indigo Shire – Councillor
• Indigo Shire Council – Community Development Manager
• Sports North East
• Local health services
• Tourism North East
• Murray Arts

Each question in the application will be scored against the following criteria:

• Alignment with Council Plan Themes of Community, Liveability, Prosperity and Environment.(score 0-3 per theme).
• The capacity to deliver the event by the applicant (score 0-3).
• Evidence of a logical and well supported budget (score 0-5).

Applicants must provide a demonstrated need for Council’s investment and support. The Panel will make a recommendation to Council on the distribution of the grant fund.

Conflict of Interest

For the protection of grant applicants and those involved in the assessment process, including Council officers, community members and other external parties involved in the grant assessment process are required to identify and declare their interest prior to assessing any grant applications or reviewing project evaluations and reports. A panel member who declares a conflict of interest in a matter being considered in a meeting must absent themselves from any discussion of the matter. All declared interests will be recorded in the meeting Minutes and provided to Council in writing.

Grants Governance Policy

These grant guidelines align with Indigo Shire Council’s Grants Governance Policy https://www.indigoshire.vic.gov.au/Council/Council-documents/Policies/Grants-Governance-Policy

Alternatively, the policy can be accessed in hard copy at our customer service centres.

Acquittal and Reporting Requirements

Successful grant recipients will be required:

• To fill out and submit an acquittal form to Council by June 30 2026, failing to do this may impact your ability to obtain grants in the future.
• To submit appropriate invoice/proof of expenditure documentation and photos to demonstrate project delivery.
• Any changes to your grant or project need to be in writing and will be approved at the discretion of the Director Community and Economic Development.