The City of Charles Sturt offers a range of funding opportunities to support events that bring people together, celebrate culture, activate local places and contribute to a vibrant and connected community.
Through our Event Grants and Event Sponsorship Program, we support a diverse range of community events that align with our Community Vision and create positive outcomes for residents, visitors and local businesses.
Before you apply, we strongly encourage you to contact our Place Making Team to discuss your event and the most appropriate funding stream. Early conversations can help ensure your application meets the program requirements and has the best opportunity for success.
Funding through the Event Grants and Event Sponsorship Program is competitive, with applications assessed against the relevant criteria and considered alongside other submissions received within the funding round. As available funding is limited, not all eligible applications may be successful. For further information, please refer to the Event Grants and Event Sponsorship Policy and relevant guidelines.
Summary of Grants
We offer three funding streams, each designed to support different types of events and outcomes.
- Community Event Fund - Supports established community events that hold cultural significance and have become valued traditions within the City of Charles Sturt. This funding helps ensure important community events can continue to bring people together and contribute to the cultural life of our city
- Event Grants - Supports community-led events that encourage participation, celebrate local identity, strengthen social connections and activate local places. This stream is designed to help new ideas grow and support events that deliver meaningful benefits for the community.
- Event Sponsorship - Supports events that deliver broader community, economic and promotion benefits for the city. Sponsorship opportunities are considered where there is a strong alignment with Council's strategic objectives and a clear return on investment for the City of Charles Sturt
Application dates and timeframes
Community Event Fund and Event Grants applications are accepted through three funding rounds each financial year.
- Round 1 - 1 August 2026 to 30 September 2026
- Round 2 - 23 November 2026 to 17 January 2027
- Round 3 - 1 April 2027 to 31 May 2027
Please note that application rounds may be subject to change due to Local Government Election caretaker period requirements.
Event Sponsorship applications are accepted throughout the financial year and will be considered until the available budget has been fully allocated.
Following the close of each round, applications are assessed against the relevant guidelines and assessment criteria. Recommendations are then considered by the Strategic & Engagement Committee before being presented to Council for a final funding decision.
As funding is limited, Council may receive more eligible applications than can be supported within the budget.
Applicants can expect to be notified of the outcome of their application approximately 6–8 weeks after the funding round closes.
We encourage event organisers to factor assessment and approval timeframes into their event planning. The earlier you engage with the Place Making Team and prepare your application, the better positioned you will be when the funding round opens.
For advice before applying, contact placemakers@charlessturt.sa.gov.au.
Event Grants
Purpose
Competitive grants for initiatives that spark creativity, social connection, and local pride. These grants support the seeding of new ideas and nurture emerging community-led events.
Event Grants Applications Currently Closed
Applications for the 2026-27 Event Grants program are currently closed. Round 2 applications will open on 23 November 2026 and close on 17 January 2027. In the meantime, we encourage you to contact the Place Making team to discuss your event and begin preparing your application.
Council’s Event Grants will be limited to:
- Event organisers delivering an event within the boundaries of the City of Charles Sturt and be open to the public
- Eligible applicants must be a legal entity with an ABN and appropriate public liability insurance. Individuals or entities without an ABN will not be eligible.
This includes:
- Individuals who reside within the City of Charles Sturt
- Owners of properties within the City of Charles Sturt
- Community based groups, organisations and services operating within the City of Charles Sturt.
- Event Grants allow for applications of up to $15,000, with recommended amounts for small events up to $2000, medium events up to $10,000 and large events up to $15,000.
- More detail can be found within the Event Grant Guidelines, and Council staff will guide you through the application process.
- Funding is available for up to five years, with a reduced amount of funding each year in year 4 and 5
- Funding is only available for up to 50% of the overall event budget. The event budget can include financial and in-kind contribution of the event organiser.
Applications are assessed according Assessment Criteria outlined in the Event Grant Guidelines.
All decisions of funding are approved by Council. Applicants will need to provide a number of documents in support of their submission including but not limited to an event concept, site plans, event risk management plan and event budget.
Applications Currently Closed
Applications for the 2026–27 Event Grants Program are currently closed and will reopen for Round 2 on 23 November 2026.
Before submitting an application, we encourage event organisers to review the supporting documentation, including the application form and the risk assessment and budget templates.
Due to the competitive nature of the program, we strongly encourage event organisers to contact the Place Making Team before applying. Early discussions can help identify the most appropriate funding stream, clarify application requirements and ensure your proposal aligns with the objectives of the program.
For advice before applying, please contact placemakers@charlessturt.sa.gov.au.
Community Event Fund
Purpose
For established, culturally significant community events that have demonstrated long-term value and are recognised in the City’s calendar.
Community Event Fund Applications Currently Closed
Applications for the 2026-27 Community Event Fund program are currently closed. Round 2 applications will open on 23 November 2026 and close on 17 January 2027. In the meantime, we encourage you to contact the Place Making team to discuss your event and begin preparing your application.
Council’s Community Event Fund will be limited to:
- Event organisers delivering an event within the boundaries of the City of Charles Sturt and be open to the public
- Eligible applicants must be a legal entity with an ABN and appropriate public liability insurance. Individuals or entities without an ABN will not be eligible
- Event organisers of events that have been well established and successfully running over several years within the City of Charles Sturt.
This includes:
- Individuals who reside within the City of Charles Sturt
- Owners of properties within the City of Charles Sturt
- Community based groups, organisations and services operating within the City of
- The Community Event Fund allows for applications up to $10,000 per year
- Funding is available for up to five years
- Funding is only available for up to 50% of the overall event budget. The event budget can include financial and in-kind contribution of the event organiser.
Applications are assessed according Assessment Criteria outlined in the Event Grant Guidelines.
All decisions of funding are approved by Council. Applicants will need to provide a number of documents in support of their submission including but not limited to an event concept, site plans, event risk management plan and event budget.
Applications Currently Closed
Applications for the 2026–27 Community Event Fund Program are currently closed and will reopen for Round 2 on 23 November 2026.
Before submitting an application, we encourage event organisers to review the supporting documentation, including the application form and the risk assessment and budget templates.
Due to the competitive nature of the program, we strongly encourage event organisers to contact the Place Making Team before applying. Early discussions can help identify the most appropriate funding stream, clarify application requirements and ensure your proposal aligns with the objectives of the program.
For advice before applying, please contact placemakers@charlessturt.sa.gov.au.
Event Sponsorship
Purpose
Event Sponsorship supports commercial-style partnerships that deliver measurable value and return on Council's investment, including through audience reach, visitation, economic benefit and promotion of the City of Charles Sturt.
Event Sponsorship is different from Council's Event Grants Program and is not an alternative funding pathway for events primarily seeking financial support to deliver a community event.
If you are unsure which funding stream is appropriate, please contact the Place Making team at placemakers@charlessturt.sa.gov.au before preparing or submitting a proposal.
Council’s Event Sponsorship will be limited to:
- Event organisers delivering an event within the boundaries of the City of Charles Sturt that is open to the public
- Eligible applicants must be a legal entity with an ABN and appropriate public liability insurance. Individuals or entities without an ABN will not be eligible.
Meeting the eligibility requirements does not necessarily mean an event is suitable for Event Sponsorship. Proposals must also demonstrate that the event meets the purpose and Assessment Criteria outlined in the Event Sponsorship Guidelines.
- The Event Sponsorship allows for applications up to $10,000 per year
- Funding is available for up to three years
- Funding is only available for up to 50% of the overall event budget, not inclusive of in-kind contribution of the event organiser.
Applications are assessed according to the Event Sponsorship Guidelines, including:
- Vision and brand alignment
- Strategic economic impact
- Audience reach and demographics
- Community benefit
- Organisational capability
- Sponsorship value and return on investment
- Budget and financial sustainability.
Event Sponsorship requires a detailed, formal sponsorship proposal.
Your proposal should clearly address the Assessment Criteria and provide the supporting evidence indentified in the Guidelines, including information about the event concept, audience, economic impact, marketing and promotion, organisational capability, sponsorship benefits and measurable return on investment, and event budget.
All funding decisions are approved by Council.
Applicants should contact the Place Making team before submitting a sponsorship proposal to discuss whether Event Sponsorship is the appropriate funding pathway for their event.
Before preparing a proposal, contact the Place Making team at placemakers@charlessturt.sa.gov.au to discuss your event and its suitability for Event Sponsorship.
If Event Sponsosrship is considered an appropriate pathway, you will need to submit a formal sponsorship proposal that directly addresses the Assessment Criteria outlined in the Event Sponsorship Guidelines.
Proposals should clearly demonstrate the value of the proposed partnership to Council, including the sponsorship benefits and measurable return on investment being offered. The Guidelines specify that applications are made via a formal sponsorship proposal addressing the Assessment Criteria.
Proposals can then be submitted to placemakers@charlessturt.sa.gov.au.
Need help?
Contact our Place Making Team via email placemakers@charlessturt.sa.gov.au