Events Financial Assistance Program

⁠⁠⁠Council is committed to supporting the development, growth, improvement, and sustainability of local and destination events.

Events play an important role in our community, providing a diverse range of vibrant experiences contributing to the Shire's social cohesiveness and wellbeing, heighten our community's pride of place and promote the Shire as an attractive place to live and visit.

To maintain a consistent, transparent, and equitable approach to the consideration and distribution of donations and to address substantial growth within the events industry across the Parkes Shire, Council has introduced an event grant funding initiative, known as the "Events Financial Assistance Program".

The Events Financial Assistance Program includes two separate funds:

Community Events Fund

The Community Events Fund recognises the vital connection that not-for-profit organisations and groups play in the development of a strong and resilient community.

Community events should make a positive and ongoing contribution to the community. This funding is provided to assist event organisers to develop new events or improve existing ones whilst working towards event sustainability. Funding is provided for events that:

• Promote a safe, inclusive, and growing community.
• Assist in building a diverse and economically strong Parkes Shire.
• Appeal to a wide demographic.

Destination Events Fund

The Destination Events Fund recognises the importance of events that deliver significant visitation and economic benefits to the Parkes Shire and wider Central West region.

Funding is provided for events that:

• Promote a safe, inclusive, and growing community.
• Attract overnight visitation from outside the Parkes Shire.
• Engage with the local tourism industry.
• Be held at a desirable time of year (outside of peak visitation periods).

Events Financial Assistance Program documentation

As part of the Events Financial Assistance Program, Council has devised a set of protocols that apply to community groups, non-profit organisations, and charitable entities, ensuring a systematic, fair and transparency approach to granting funds for events.

Guidelines - Events Financial Assistance Program(PDF, 336KB)

Council Policy - Financial Assistance(PDF, 171KB)

Funding rounds

Community Event Fund

Round 1 (for events from August - December 2026). Applications open Friday, 17 April 2026 and close 5pm on Monday, 18 May 2026.

Destination Event Fund

Applications are now open for the 2026/27 Destination Events Fund. Please note that applications must be submitted at least four months prior to the event date. Late applications will not be accepted. The Destination Events Fund does not operate in set rounds. However, once the total funding allocation has been exhausted, the program will close for the financial year.

Funding limits

Applicants can apply for up to $10,000 in funding for either Community or Destination events

Application process

Applications must be submitted online via the below links:

Application Form - Events Financial Application Program - Community Events Fund

Application Form - Events Financial Assistance Program - Destination Events Fund

Further information

For further information on the Events Financial Assistance Program, please contact Council's Events and Festivals team on:

Email: events@parkes.nsw.gov.au

Phone: 02 6861 2333