Council provides financial assistance to local not-for-profit organisations to support them in delivering projects that will provide a broad benefit to communities across the Southern Downs region. Council's Grants to Community Policy can be found here (PDF 582.4KB).
Everything an applicant needs to know about Council's Events Sponsorship can be found in the Community Event Sponsorship (PDF 725.9KB), Hallmark Event Sponsorship (PDF 726.5KB), Regional Event Sponsorship (PDF 722.7KB) and Signature Event Sponsorship (PDF 726.8KB) Guidelines. Council encourages all applicants to read the guidelines prior to completing an application form online.
Council would like to inform prospective grant applicants that they should not rely on Council as a continual or sole source of income and should actively pursue other avenues of funding to aid in their development of projects.
Available Funding
The Community Event Sponsorship funding available per not-for-profit organisation is:
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Round One Opens
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Closing
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For events taking place between
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1 August 2026
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28 August 2026
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1 January 2027 to 30 June 2027
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Round Two Opens
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Closing
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For events taking place between
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1 February 2027
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28 February 2027
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1 July 2027 to 31 December 2027
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Applications must be submitted a minimum of twelve (12) weeks prior to the commencement of the event or project to provide adequate time to process the grant application.
Event Sponsorship Application
Applications for Event Sponsorship are made on-line via SmartyGrants and will be available for completion in accordance with the dates shown above.
To access the application form, please click the link below:
2026/27 Application Form
A SmartyGrants - Help Guide for Applicants is available, and the SmartyGrants - Applicant FAQ's may also be of assistance. Applicants may telephone SmartyGrants - Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm AEST on (03) 9320 6888 or via email to service@smartygrants.com.au.
Applicants may also contact Council - Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm on 1300 697 372 (1300 MY SDRC) or via email to mail@sdrc.qld.gov.au.
Auspicing
If an organisation is required to be auspiced, it is the responsibility of the applicant being auspiced to ensure that a clear agreement is reached between the parties before applying for funding. The Auspicing Agreement (PDF 38.7KB) is to be completed and attached to the grant application in SmartyGrants.
Grant Acquittal
Funding acquittals are to be completed online via SmartyGrants. The SmartyGrants Acquittal Form link will also be emailed to each successful applicant. Applicants will need to login to their SmartyGrants account to view their acquittal form.
Successful Event Sponsorship recipients are welcome to Book & Borrow a Council Banner (PDF 312.4KB)to use for their projects. This provides another avenue for the purposes of acknowledging Council's contribution to your project to be included in your Event Sponsorship Acquittal Form. Please allow a minimum of five (5) working days before collection.
Letters of Support
Requests for a Letter of Support from Council (PDF 138.6KB) to accompany a grant funding application external to Council need to be made by completing the form and returning it to Council via email to mail@sdrc.qld.gov.au. Please allow ten (10) working days for completion.