External Grants

Exciting news for the regions! Applications for the Destination NSW Regional Event Fund (REF) are officially open, providing valuable support for regional event organisers across NSW. This funding program supports events that drive visitation, extend overnight stays and contribute to the visitor economy across regional NSW.

With a four-week application window, we strongly encourage event organisers to start preparing early and allow sufficient time to gather supporting information, data and endorsements.

Applications will close at midnight, Sunday 12 April 2026 for Incubator and Flagship streams.

Below, you'll find a concise summary of the fund along with helpful resources to support your application. Be sure to review the guidelines for each funding stream carefully, as they contain important details to help make your application a success.

Summary of the fund

The NSW Government has announced $1.5 million in funding to support regional events across the state. Funding is available across three streams for events held between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027. We recommend reviewing the guidelines for each stream carefully before submitting an application.

1. Incubator Event Stream

Supports new events in their first or second year, providing up to $20,000 in seed funding to help establish events that can drive visitation. Read the Incubator Grant Guidelines. 

Applications close midnight, Sunday 12 April 2026. Apply here.

2. Flagship Event Stream

Supports emerging events with a track record of more than two years, offering grants of $20,000 to help grow profile and visitation. Events that have exhausted their annual grant limit are eligible for up to $30,000 over three years. Read the Flagship Grant Guidelines.

Applications close midnight, Sunday 12 April 2026. Apply here.

3. Event Development Stream

Established and proven events that have received and completed triennial funding through the Flagship Event stream can apply for up to $50,000 to boost growth initiatives in the event’s strategic plan. Read the Event Development Guidelines.

Applications close 31 December 2026, or whenever funds are exhausted. Apply using the online application form.

Explore your passion, benefit your community.

A Churchill Fellowship offers Australian citizens and permanent residents a life-changing opportunity to travel overseas.

You don’t need an academic qualification to apply; in fact you don’t need to have completed school. You can do a Churchill Fellowship on any topic, provided there is a benefit to Australia and your community by you sharing your knowledge or skills.

Apply Now

Supports the work of community bands in regional NSW with the goal of increasing access to music activities and education, building strong network of bands and increasing community connection. Grants up to $2,500 are available. Applications close19 May 2026. Learn more and apply today.

Key information

Program objective

Through on-demand, quick response funding, the program will address challenges in sustaining community bands in regional NSW due to limited access to funding, dispersed populations from which to draw membership and travel required for members to participate.

The intended outcomes of the Program are:

• Increased access to music activities and education in regional communities
• A stable or increased number of active regional community bands across NSW
• Increased community connections in regional communities
• Increased youth engagement and participation in regional NSW community bands.

Image: Warren Chamber Music Festival. Photo credit: Belinda Dimarzio-Bryan, supplied by Outback Arts

This program is administered by Create NSW.

Apply Now

Your local Country Education Foundation (CEF) supports youth in your area through financial grants for education and employment expenses. Our grants contribute towards apprenticeships, traineeships, cadetships, diplomas, certificate level studies, university qualifications or employment.

Eligibility Criteria
- Demonstrated financial need
- Aged 16-25 years
- Attended school in or currently live in the region covered by your local CEF
- Commitment to achieving your goals

Key dates

Applications close: These rounds are ongoing however generally open in the second half of the year.

Click here for more information and to apply.

Provides support for a specific event, project, item, or initiative that helps, grows, and enriches our communities.

For more information go to Harcourts Foundation – To provide support that helps, grows and enriches our communities.

As part of the Community Partnerships Program, Newcrest distributes funding each year that aims to support and enhance the community groups, organisations and infrastructure that provide a sustainable foundation for the communities of the Blayney, Cabonne and Orange Local Government Area's (LGAs).

Newmont has partnered with Orange360 to establish the Newmont Orange360 Regional Tourism Event Fund to help bolster the tourism industry within the region. The fund will help build on the success of the region's festivals to stimulate the visitor economy and diversify the events across the calendar, positioning the Orange region as a leading destination. 

Applications NOW OPEN for FY25/26

Applications are now open for the Newmont Orange360 Regional Tourism Event Fund for FY 25/26.

Fund Guidelines

To apply, please ensure you read the following key documents to make sure your event is eligible for funding:

1. Fund Guideines 

2. Fund Terms & Conditions

3. Applications must align with Orange360's Strategic Priorities

Application Resources

The following resources have been made available to assist your funding application: 

1. Event Budget Template

2. Marketing Budget Template

3. Marketing Plan Template

4. Visitation Data Template

5. Application Key Questions

How to apply

Applications need to be submitted via an online portal. Before accessing the portal, please refer to the Application Key Questions document to assist your submission.

To access the portal, click on the application link below:

SUBMIT APPLICATION HERE
 

For further queries about the Newmont Orange360 Regional Tourism Event Fund, please contact Mali Williams at Orange360: mali@orange360.com.au