Festival and Events Grants Program

Closes in 13 daysSubmission deadline: 26 October 2026, 04:00 PM Australia/Melbourne

About this tender

Overview Cardinia Shire Council is inviting applications for its Festival and Events Small Grants Program, supporting community-led events, festivals, celebrations and activities across the shire. Applications are submitted online through Council's SmartyGrants grant application service. Funding Funding of up to $5000 is available to support eligible community-led events The 2026–27 Festival and Events Small Grants Program supports events held between November 2026 and 30 June 2027 Council anticipates this will be a highly competitive round, and it is unlikely that all applications will be funded at their requested amount. Objectives Cardinia Shire Council invests in community-led festivals and events that: Bring people together Celebrate local culture and community spirit Support local businesses and townships Attract visitors to the region Create social, cultural and economic benefits for the community Eligibility Community groups, clubs, not-for-profit organisations and volunteers are encouraged to apply for funding to help deliver events that bring people together, celebrate local identity and contribute to a vibrant and connected community. How to Apply Applications must be submitted online through Cardinia Shire Council's SmartyGrants grant application service. First-time applicants should click 'Start a Submission', then 'Register here'. It is essential that applicants make time to speak with a grants officer prior to submitting their application. A meeting can be booked here: Book your required meeting with the grants officer Council's Privacy Policy can be viewed here: Privacy Policy Applicants needing help using the online form can refer to the following resources: Help Guide for Applicants Applicant FAQ's Enquiries For queries about the guidelines, deadlines, or questions in the application form, contact Cardinia Shire Council on 1300 787 624 during business hours, or email arts@cardinia.vic.gov.au and quote your submission number.

How to respond to this tender

A strong tender response is clear, compliant, and backed by evidence. These steps apply to most Australian and New Zealand public tenders.

Read the requirements in full

Open the official listing and download the full tender pack. Note the response schedules, evaluation criteria, mandatory conditions, and the exact closing time and lodgement method.

Confirm you are eligible and it is worth bidding

Check licences, insurances, certifications, and any conformance requirements before you commit. A quick bid or no-bid decision saves days of wasted effort on a tender you cannot win.

Answer every criterion with evidence

Respond to each evaluation criterion directly and back your claims with concrete examples, referees, and past performance. Address the buyer’s stated need, not a generic capability statement.

Lodge early through the official portal

Submit through the source portal well before the deadline. Late or incorrectly lodged bids are almost always rejected, so leave time for uploads, portal errors, and last-minute questions.

Ready to write winning tenders?

Sign up today, what a relief.

Sign up