Venue hire support grant

Assists community groups and organisations accessing our spaces.

The inside of a building with panelled walls and large windows.

Grants team

Before applying please contact the team to arrange a call back to discuss your project.

: 02 9265 9333
: [email protected]

Applications are open

This grant program is open all year to applications until the value-in-kind budget is exhausted.
All applications should be made online at least 8 weeks before the event.
The first activity must take place within 12 months of the application date.

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About this program

We have venues available for hire. The venue hire support grants and sponsorship program helps community and cultural groups and organisations access these venues for events, concerts, fundraisers, conferences, meetings and community gatherings.

The grant is intended for groups and organisations that demonstrate financial hardship.

Support is available in 2 categories:

community venues
landmark venues.

The grant covers venue hire fees only. Applicants must meet all standard conditions of hire and pay all additional charges such as deposit and bond, security/key deposit, public liability insurance, cancellation, audio visual, additional employees such as ushers, cloakroom and security, and any food and beverages.

Our funding will prioritise projects that:
- increase numbers of programs, events and activities that contribute to social wellbeing, social inclusion and increased cultural participation
- increase services and initiatives for residents, workers and visitors that contribute to the social, cultural, economic and environmental health of the city
- increase capacity of the cultural, environmental and community sector due to the sharing of knowledge and resources.
We encourage applications from organisations, groups and individuals that support Aboriginal and Torres and Strait Islander communities and culture, including Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and networks.
Proposals are assessed against:
- evidence of the need for the project and proposed outcomes
- capacity and experience of the applicant to deliver the project
- demonstrated connection and benefit to the local area and community
- evidence of diversity, inclusion and equity in the planning and delivery of the project
- how the project delivers against the funding priorities.
For comprehensive information, including definitions and other details, refer to the grants and sponsorship program guidelines.

To see what projects have been awarded our grants and sponsorships in the past, please search for grants in our statutory returns annual reports.

Sustainable Sydney 2030-2050 Continuing the Vision outlines the goals we have set to make the city green, global and connected.

Support available

Support is available in the form of one-off or multi-year reduced rates for community and landmark venue hire, subject to availability.

Not-for-profit organisations are eligible for a 25% reduction on equipment hire fees at landmark venues (for equipment owned by the City of Sydney).

Eligibility

To be eligible for funding an applicant must operate within the City of Sydney’s area or be able to demonstrate benefits for the area’s residents, workers and/or visitors.

Applicants must demonstrate that payment of standard rates would cause financial hardship.

Applicants working with an auspicing organisation are encouraged to choose an organisation that is relevant to the sector and can support the development of the proposal.
Community venues
These individuals and organisations can apply:
- Not-for-profit organisations
- Unincorporated community group
- Individual auspiced by a not-for-profit eligible to apply in its own right.
Landmark venues
These individuals and organisations can apply:
- Not-for-profit organisations
- For profit event management companies facilitating an eligible not-for-profit’s event
- Individual auspiced by a not-for-profit eligible to apply in its own right.
For more information on eligibility see the eligibility section of the grants and sponsorship program guidelines.
Funding is not available for:
- fees and charges associated with event personnel or staffing at venues
- projects that directly contravene the eligibility and ethics framework or our existing policies.
If an applicant has already received funding for the same project under a different grants and sponsorship program, this may impact on the decision to support the application.
Venue hire and equipment fees and charges are set for the facilities each year by the City of Sydney.

The grant covers venue hire fees only. Applicants must meet all standard conditions of hire and pay all additional charges such as deposit and bond, security/key deposit, public liability insurance, cancellation, audio visual, additional staffing such as ushers, cloakroom and security, and any food and beverages.

How to apply

Before applying please contact the grants team to discuss your eligibility and suitability to the program, on 02 9265 9333 or email [email protected].

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PoliciesGrants and sponsorship policyPublished 30 August 2022

Council governance & administrationGrants and sponsorship program guidelinesPublished 22 July 2024

Venue hire support grant

Grants team

Applications are open

Help with grants in your language

About this program

Funding priorities

Assessment criteria

Further reading

Support available

Eligibility

Eligible for funding

Not eligible for funding

Further conditions

How to apply

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