Festivals and events sponsorship

Major festivals and events must contribute to at least three of the following priorities:

• celebrate and acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and culture
• strengthen social inclusion, enable connectedness and reduce social isolation
• support the visitor economy through attractions, events and promotion
• attract intrastate, interstate or international visitation and investment in Sydney
• represent the cultural and social diversity of our community
• activate local precincts with creative programming
• encourage cultural organisations and artists to locate and operate in Sydney.

We encourage applications from organisations, groups and individuals that support Aboriginal and/or Torres and Strait Islander communities and culture, including Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and networks.

These questions are asked in the application that align with the assessment criteria used at assessment stage:

• Why is there a need for the project and what are the proposed outcomes?
• What is your experience in delivering projects?
• How have you included the local diverse community and how will they benefit and/or being engaged?
• How does the project rate against the funding priorities?
• What is the track record evidence, organisational viability for multi-year funding, large scale audience and market reach, and national or international brand awareness?
   

• $100,000 or more a year. Funding is available for up to 4 years in this funding tier.
• Value-in-kind in the form of street banner and venue hire fee waiver, and other negotiated City of Sydney services and resources. Not-for-profit organisations are also eligible for a 25% reduction on equipment hire fees at Landmark Venues (for equipment owned by the City of Sydney).
• Major festivals and event sponsorships will usually include both cash and value-in-kind contributions.
• For-profit organisations are required to match the funding requested with cash (value-in-kind will not be accepted) and are not eligible for street banner value in kind.
• Applicants can apply for up to $10,000 worth of capital expenditure or equipment purchase.

The City of Sydney wants to support applicants to provide fair pay to the artists and creative professionals working on funded projects, including child performers. Fees for artists and creative workers should be clearly included in your application budget and you are encouraged to set these fees in accordance with industry standards and/or awards.

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

These organisations can apply for both Tier 1 and 2:

• Eligible Not For Profit Organisation
• Incorporated Association
• Unincorporated Community Group auspiced by an Eligible Not For Profit Organisation
• Corporation
• Co-operative
• Trustee of a Trust
• Government Entity

These individuals and organisations can apply for Tier 1 only:

• Individual auspiced by an Eligible Not For Profit Organisation
• Sole traders

If you work with an auspicing organisation, we encourage you to choose one that is relevant to the sector and that can support the development of the proposal.

For more information on eligibility see the eligibility section in the grants and sponsorship program guidelines.

Funding is not available for:

• operational costs or overheads for the core business of an organisation
• fees and charges associated with event teams at landmark venues
• projects that directly breach the eligibility and ethics framework or existing City of Sydney policies.
• Outdoor venues aren’t available for value-in-kind requests. For outdoor events contact [email protected].