Funding and Grants
Grant or funding opportunities may be available to support the development of your business, project or event.
Make sure you read the program guidelines, and entity and project eligibility carefully to ensure that your project meets the program criteria. Some grants are highly competitive with short application time frames.
The grant and funding opportunities displayed on this page are NOT administered by Destination Southern NSW. Please refer to the information provided on who to contact for guidance and support for each opportunity.
Destination Southern NSW may be able to provide a Letter of Support for your project if it aligns with the Southern NSW Destination Management Plan.
Destination Southern NSW cannot determine if your organisation or project is eligible for funding. You must confirm your organisation and project eligibility under the relevant fund or program before requesting a letter of support.
Please complete this form to request a Letter of Support for your project.
For tips and guidance on writing grant applications check out our video library here.
For general enquiries and support for your application, Contact Us.
Destination Southern NSW, and our fellow Destination Network partners, are not required or permitted to provide a letter of support to applicants for the Regional Events Fund Program. You are encouraged to contact your IDM if you plan to submit an application. Please ensure you have read the program guidelines, the relevant section of the application form, and accessed a copy of the Destination Southern NSW Destination Management Plan before doing so.
Current Grant Opportunities
Qantas Regional Grants Program
The Qantas Regional Grants program is offering $2 million in support to Australian-based communities and projects that are looking to benefit regional areas.
In its third year, the Qantas Regional Grants program is designed to help these communities sustain brighter futures by providing financial, flight and marketing support to charities, organisations, projects and individuals.
Applications close on 10th May 2024
Find out more here.
Lights On, Doors Open Stipend Program
Financial support for volunteer-led museums in NSW.
The ‘Lights On, Doors Open’ stipend program has been established to relieve the pressures faced by volunteer-led museums and Aboriginal cultural spaces in NSW.
Funding of $2,000 is available to provide crucial financial support to cover essential expenses like rent, electricity bills and more. The program is not for organisations developing new ideas; rather, it is aimed at supporting organisations to cover small operational items difficult to cover through other grant programs.
The application process is designed to be hassle-free, ensuring a smooth experience for all applicants.
Funding will be allocated based on the order of eligible applications received until funds are exhausted.
Find out more here.
Open Streets Program
The Open Streets Program (the Program) is a $4.5 million non-competitive grant program open to all councils across NSW. The Program aims to energise our streets with free activities and events.
The Open Streets Program aims to:
- Temporarily close streets to vehicles and open them for people, with projects over a day, or series of days, and provide safe spaces for community events and activities.
- Bring vibrancy to our streets by creating a sense of excitement and discovery with creative events and activations that are inviting and inclusive to the community.
- Support job creation in local businesses and the cultural sector.
- Support the development of longer-term place management outcomes, through projects that encourage private-public partnerships.
Funding of up to $150,000 is available to support the temporary closure of streets for placemaking activations for people. Events and activations are to be delivered by January 2025.
Applications are now open and will close once the total program funding has been allocated, or by the application close date of 30 April 2024, whichever is first.
Find out more here.
NSW Grants and Funding Finder
Search the NSW Grants and Funding Finder, a platform providing information on grants, savings, rebates and budget relief from 46 separate government websites.