Nillumbik Triennial Festival and Event Program

Applications now closed

Each year, our community benefits from a diverse range of festivals and events that take place across Nillumbik.

The Triennial Festival and Event Program aims to support and fund local events that foster community connection, drive economic development, and enhance Nillumbik’s profile as a tourist destination. Through this program applicants can access funding from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $65,000 per annum for each annual event over the three year period.

About

This program is designed to support not-for-profit events that meet the following criteria:

• A large scale event that will attract attendance from the local community and those living outside Nillumbik.
• Event held within the Nillumbik Shire municipal boundary, except where townships overlap municipal boundaries and a proven benefit to the Nillumbik community can be demonstrated.
• Demonstrate significant economic and/or community benefit to the Nillumbik community.
• Majority of the event must be free and accessible.
• First of the three annual events will be held between 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.

Applications must include:

• A complete event budget highlighting elements to be funded by Council.
• An event plan for the program of activities providing a schedule of all activities, including location, timing, descriptions, target audiences, expected attendance, and logistical requirements such as staffing and equipment to support smooth event execution and resource management.
• A marketing and promotion plan that includes acknowledgement of Nillumbik Shire Council support.
• Financial statements from previous 1-2 year/s.
• Assurances from the President/Director/Treasurer around the financial viability of the group seeking the grant.
• One quotation from suitable suppliers for any expenditure items between $1,000 and $9,999 to be funded.
• Two quotations from suitably qualified suppliers for any expenditure items over $10,000 to be funded.
• All income and expenditure related to the event for which you are requesting support (if previous events have been held of a similar nature provide the final accounts for the most recent event delivered).
• Demonstration of a co-contribution to holding the event, either through in-kind support or cash. The value of contribution demonstrated must be at least 30 per cent of the funding request. For example, if you request funding of $60,000, you must show a co-contribution of at least $20,000 (cash or in-kind). 

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be a not-for-profit organisation or have a valid Australian Business Number (ABN).
• Hold a minimum of $20 million in public liability insurance.
• Include a minimum 30 per cent co-contribution (either in-kind support or cash value).
• Submit only one application per event.

Ineligibility

Applications will be ineligible if any of the following apply:

• Event not occurring within the Nillumbik Shire municipal boundary, except where townships overlap municipal boundaries and a proven benefit to the Nillumbik community can be demonstrated.
• Funding to be used for capital works or day to day operational expenses, remuneration, or core business costs (such as administrative, maintenance, utilities, organisational operating costs, ongoing salaries, volunteer salaries, infrastructure, storage fees, uniforms, and purchase of event infrastructure).
• Event has a primary purpose to raise funds, where the majority of profits generated are distributed to third party organisations, agencies or charities, without direct benefit to Nillumbik communities.
• Funding requests for competitions or recreational excursions (eg camps, holidays, tours, etc).
• Event is the responsibility of other agencies (eg charities, government bodies).
• Event has a sole political or religious purpose that could be perceived as divisive within the community.
• Events that denigrates or excludes any groups in the community.
• Event is primarily seeking to promote or launch organisations or services.
• Applicant is in debt with Council or has not complied with grants previously awarded.
• Applicant is an employee of Nillumbik Shire Council.
• Applicant undertakes canvassing or lobbying of Councillors, Council officers or any members of the Selection Panel in relation to the grant funding request during the application and assessment period. 

Support

Event organisers are encouraged to read the Planning an Event in Nillumbik Guide(PDF, 3MB) which provides a comprehensive overview of the requirements to host events in Nillumbik. Included within this document is a range of templates and useful information to assist in preparing to run an event. 

For a range of other helpful resources and important information visit the Grants page.