Council supports event organisers and community groups to deliver events, festivals, sporting celebrations and conferences across the City which benefit the community.

The program aims to fund meaningful, creative and high-quality events for our community and visitors. The Event Funding Program has three funding categories with applications accepted twice a year.

Sponsored events and festivals (up to $20,000)

These types of high-profile events and festivals encourage visitation to the City from outside the region, help raise the City's profile and drive economic development. Sponsored events provide residents and visitors with opportunities across sporting, recreational, cultural or community-based activities. Applicants can apply for up to $20,000.

Community events (up to $10,000)

Community events foster community pride and connectedness between residents and local businesses. They should make a positive and ongoing contribution to the community. Funding is provided to assist event organisers to develop new events or improve existing ones while working towards event sustainability. Applicants can apply for up to $10,000

Local events and celebrations (up to $2000)

Local events and activities for smaller audiences may be funded to support local businesses or sporting clubs and increase community participation. These may be one-off activities or new events that celebrate a location or themes relevant to the local population. Applications can apply for up to $2,000.

Funding is prioritised for events and festivals that:

• Celebrate community and Lake Macquarie’s unique culture and identity
• Assist in building a diverse and economically strong communities
• Are attractive to visitors
• Are engaging, surprising and entertaining

Funding eligibility

To be eligible for all funding categories, the following criteria must be met:

1. Conduct the event/activity within Lake Macquarie City.
2. Contribute to one or more of the key themes in Council’s Event and Festival Strategy and Action Plan 2019-2024.
3. Demonstrate social, economic and environmental benefits to Lake Macquarie City, as per the assessment criteria.
4. Provide an event budget (income and expenditure) and demonstrate that the event/activity is financially viable with or without Lake Macquarie City funding. (Tip: your budget should be realistic, viable and make good use of the funding)
5. Obtain all regulatory approvals for the event/activity such as an event license.
6. Hold current and relevant Public Liability Insurance to the value of $20 million.
7. Commence the event/activity between six* and 12 months from the application cut-off date (retrospective funding is not available).
8. Organisations/individuals must have the ability to provide evidence of experience in delivering events.

* Community Events or Local Events may commence between three and 12* months from the application cut-off date.

To be eligible for Community Event or Local Event funding, the above criteria must be met plus the following:

1. Be a not-for-profit entity or have a not-for-profit entity manage the funding on your behalf.

Funding assistance will not be considered for the following:

• capital expenses
• ongoing operational or administrative costs
• individuals
• government agencies
• payment of debt or insurance premiums
• committees of Lake Macquarie City Council
• religious ceremonies
• the core business of educational, religious and medical organisations
• organisational programs
• activities that duplicate existing services
• political parties
• academic research, coursework or fees, or projects seeking financial support for research, studio work or activities that will be submitted for academic assessment
• Events that are primarily driven as fundraisers

• Phone: 02 4921 0333
• Email: council@lakemac.nsw.gov.au
• Website: https://www.lakemac.com.au/council/contact-us