Community Grants - Events

The objectives of the Flinders Shire Council’s Community Grants Program - Events Stream, is designed to build relationships with community organisations to provide benefits to the Flinders Shire residents and visitors by ensuring Flinders Shire is a vibrant active community.

This program aims to support community organisations in Flinders Shire by:

• Providing funding opportunities to community organisations to strengthen their organisation and develop their future events;
• Promoting community awareness and value of cultural and community events and festivals;
• Enhancing the profile and appeal of the region and attracting new visitors to the region by a diverse events and festivals program;
• Facilitating community interaction and stakeholder relationships with Flinders Shire Council;
• Generating local economic activity and development.

The Events Stream Funding categories: 

• Event Support - Up to $2,500.
  • Focusing on supporting local events.
  • Applications are limited to one per community group/organisation per event.
  • Applications are open all year round and must be received 8 weeks prior to the project start date.
• Event Development - Up to $10,000.
  • Focusing on the development and building capacity of events and seed funding for new and developing initiatives. 
  • Applications are limited to one per organisation per financial year.
  • Applications must be received a minimum of 8 weeks prior and no later than 6 months before the event.
• Event Special Request (Major Events) - Up to $20,000.
  • Focusing on supporting major events that demonstrate a strong social / community and economic development benefit. 
  • Applications are limited to one per organisation per financial year.
  • Applications must be received a minimum of 8 weeks prior and no later than 6 months before the event.

• No applicant can be guaranteed sponsorship nor can any applicant be guaranteed to receive the full amount requested.  The level of assistance available is limited by Council’s budget decision and its priorities.  Council's decision on funding applications is final.
• Financial Support from the program may require compliance with specific conditions before payment. Should these conditions not be met by the specified date, Council reserves the right to revoke the offer of support.
• All funds must be expended in the financial year they are granted or up to three months after event. No further funds will be considered until previous outstanding funds are acquitted.
• Flinders Shire Council requires relevant acknowledgement of financial support for sponsorship.
• All successful recipients will be recorded in a sponsorship register which Council will have the right to publish as they see fit.
• Council will not approve in-kind support or the waiver of hiring of Council facilities and associated plant/equipment. These costs are to be included in the amount that  clubs/organisations are seeking sponsorship for.
• If approved, organisations will be required to sign a formal agreement and submit an invoice to Council for the approved amount within 60 days of offer.  If not received the sponsorship may be cancelled and reallocated.
• Events which are undertaken with the purpose of making a profit without plans for future growth and reinvestment or raising funds for charities will not be funded. If your annual event raises funds for charity, you are encouraged to retail sufficient funds to cover expenses for the following year.

• Be a Community Organisation – An incorporated non-profit organisation / club or charity consisting of people having common interests. Includes sport and recreation clubs, social clubs, school P&F / P&C associations, arts and cultural groups, hospital foundations, religious orders and service organisations. Schools may apply for the Events and Donation Stream only.
• Community Events Stream is for events only - Equipment, facilities, etc. are covered under the Infrastructure and Equipment Stream.
• Provide a copy of current Audited Financial Statements and Annual General Meeting (AGM) Minutes.
• Have a valid public liability certificate of currency with a minimum $20 million coverage.
• Have not lodged an application under the Quick Response Stream for the same event / project.
• Be based in the Flinders Shire or, if based outside the Flinders Shire, provide a particular activity, service or event which will have significant positive impact on Shire residents.

• Organisations are ineligible if previous Council allocated funds are not satisfactorily acquitted.
• Organisations / Clubs that have an outstanding payment owed to Council.
• Individuals, unincorporated groups, political, businesses and for-profit groups.

The following will not be considered for funding:

• Events which are undertaken with the sole purpose of making a profit without plans for future growth and reinvestment.
• General operating costs (e.g. electricity, rates, phone, rent, and maintenance).
• Private/commercial ventures.
• Support for an individual pursuit.
• Commercial activities.
• Ongoing salaries/wages for staff (a position created for the length of a project is considered eligible).
• Projects that do not involve the Flinders Shire community.

Applications must demonstrate:

• The funding request directly supports a demonstrated need within the community, or the project provides a direct or indirect benefit for residents in the community.
• If the funding application is for the Development Tier, the application clearly outlines the new event details or how the event will be expanding by adding new elements and building capacity.
• If the funding application is for the Event Special Request Tier, the application must clearly and strongly demonstrate that the event is a major event (demonstrated regional significance and economic benefits).
• The applicant organisation is making an adequate contribution to the event.
• All eligibility criteria have been met.
• Proposals should be consistent with Council’s Corporate Plan outcomes and strategies -
  • A strong and diverse economy.
  • A cohesive and growing community.
  • A high performance council.
  • A protected and productive natural environment.

• All applications are to be submitted via SmartyGrants.
• In determining the level of assistance required, Council shall:
  • Ensure applications are eligible.
  • Assess application against the Selection Criteria (see above).
  • Establish the level of funding available in terms of its’ coming budget requirements.
  • Apportion such funding across each application eligible for funding.
• Applicants will be advised of outcomes after the relevant Council meeting.

Successful applicants:

You will receive a Letter of Offer and a purchase order for the sponsorship amount within 2 weeks of approval. Your Community Organisation will be required to submit an invoice for payment and return your signed Letter of Acceptance. If your event is occurring in a new financial year, payment may be requested to be held off until 1 July. Conditions will be outlined in your Letter of Offer.

All funds must be expended, and acquittal reports completed via SmartyGrants as per your Letter of Offer.

Further funding will not be given until acquittal reports are received and approved.

Unsuccessful applicants:

Failure to receive funding is not necessarily due to a poor application but may be the result of the demand for funds. Council reserves the right to offer a smaller amount if total budget is over subscribed.

For feedback on your application, please refer to the contact phone number given in your notification letter. You may wish to consider submitting another application at a later date.

Community Development Officer - Health and Wellbeing

Flinders Shire Council

PO Box 274

HUGHENDEN QLD 4821

P: (07) 4741 2900

E: sportandrec@flinders.qld.gov.au