Community Events Fund

The Community Events Fund provides financial and in-kind support to eligible organisations delivering events that strengthen community connections, celebrate local culture, encourage participation and contribute to the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of Livingstone Shire.

Whether you're organising a local community event, a regional event or require assistance with venue or park hire, Council offers a range of sponsorship options to help bring your event to life.

Support Available

Council offers three sponsorship streams:

Tier 1: Community Venue and Market Fund (In-Kind)

  • Council venue hire waivers or reductions
  • Park hire support
  • Access to Council-managed facilities
  • Use of approved public spaces

Examples may include:

  • Yeppoon Town Hall
  • Emu Park Cultural Hall
  • Council parks and reserves
  • Community event spaces

In-kind support is provided through waived or reduced venue/site hire fees. The value of support is determined in accordance with Council’s adopted Fees and Charges Schedule.

Applications are assessed as received until annual funding allocations are exhausted. Applicants should apply well in advance of their event date.

Tier 2: Community event - up to $5,000

Activities that support individuals, organisations and collectives seeking smaller levels of funding for public events that strengthen community pride by enhancing cultural and social benefit. Examples include local sporting competitions and financial support for community markets and fetes.

Tier 3: Regional event - from $5,001 - $10,000

Activities that support organisations and collectives seeking medium levels of funding for public events that strengthen community pride and have a demonstrated real or perceived local or regional economic benefit. Examples include financial support for regional or state-wide sporting competitions, regional shows, and large annual events such as Carols By the Beach.

Tier 1 (In-Kind) applications are accepted year-round, subject to available funding.
Tier 2 and Tier 3 applications open through scheduled funding rounds each year.
Applications for Round 2 2026-2027 for events hosted from 1 January - 30 June 2027 are open from Monday 3 August until Monday 31 August 2026.

Guidelines

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include:

  • Not-for-profit organisations
  • Sporting clubs
  • Community groups
  • Event organisers delivering a demonstrated community benefit

What can be supported?

Support may be available for:

  • Community festivals
  • Sporting events
  • Cultural celebrations
  • Markets and fetes
  • Family and community events
  • Regional events
  • Entertainment
  • Marketing and promotion
  • Equipment hire
  • Event infrastructure
  • Traffic management
  • Venue and site hire at eligible Council facilities
  • Event delivery costs

What won't be supported?

Support is generally not available for:

  • Private functions
  • Commercial events
  • School-only events
  • Events that have already been delivered
  • Permanent equipment purchases
  • Prize money
  • Events with no demonstrated community benefit

How to apply

  1. Read the Community Events Fund Guidelines which provides essential information on the program, eligibility and assessment criteria.
  2. Confirm your organisation and event are eligible.
  3. Prepare your event information, budget and supporting documentation.
  4. Submit your application through SmartyGrants before the closing date.
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 Please note: If you have been successful in a previous round of the Event Sponsorship Program and have not completed the acquittal process, you will not be eligible to apply in this round. No Acquittals are required for In-Kind sponsorships. 

Need help?

If you require assistance with your application or further information about the Livingstone Community Events Fund, please contact the Community Development and Events Team:

Phone: 1300 790 919
Email: sponsorships@livingstone.qld.gov.au

 


Children in a sack race on a beach during an Australia Day event, with cliffs and a road in the background.

Children in a sack race

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Children in red costumes with reindeer props performing on stage at a Carols by the Beach event.

Children in red costumes with reindeer props

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Crowd gathered at Yeppoon Main Beach for the 20th Carols by the Beach event, with palm trees and banners in the background.

Crowd gathered at Yeppoon Main Beach

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People walking through a sunny outdoor market with food trucks, including Yeppoon Lions Club and Mr. Whippy, and a sign reading “Cold drinks here.”

People walking through a sunny outdoor market with food trucks

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People gathered on a sunny day in a grassy area with colourful kites flying overhead, likely at a kite festival.

Colourful kites flying

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Four people holding a large cheque for $500 from The Secret Weapon Tackle World at a Capricorn King Kings event, with sponsor banners in the background.

People holding a large cheque for $500

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People gathered outdoors at night holding blue, yellow, and white lanterns during a lantern festival.

People gathered outdoors at night holding blue, yellow, and white lanterns

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Two people in cowboy hats and checkered shirts holding a green ribbon next to a brown cow, with another cow and tents in the background.

Two people in cowboy hats and checkered shirts holding a green ribbon next to a brown cow

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People in colourful costumes with leaf skirts and animal prints standing on a decorated vehicle with trees and traffic cones in the background.

People in colourful costumes during Pinefest

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Street parade with decorated vehicles and people walking, watched by crowds along a road lined with palm trees, parked cars, and an IGA store.

Pinefest street parade

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Sandy beach with small sailboats near the shore, people enjoying the water, and a modern building nearby, with a bridge and hillside houses in the background.

Sandy beach with small sailboats near the shore

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Band performing on a brightly lit stage with orange and yellow lights, as a large crowd raises their hands at a live concert.

Salty Hops Festival Band performing on a brightly lit stage

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Group of people outdoors holding a $6,795.70 cheque from the Salty Hops Festival to Yeppoon Surf Life Saving Club, with palm trees and a blue sky in the background.

Group of people outdoors holding a $6,795.70 cheque from the Salty Hops Festival

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Group of people in western-style clothing standing on grass with a black calf, holding a ribbon that reads “The Caves Show – Champion Female.”

“The Caves Show – Champion Female.”

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Aerial view of a park near the water with people gathered on the grass, some near tents and small buildings, suggesting a community event.

Aerial view of Village fest

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Band performing on a stage lit with purple and orange lights, with LED screens and a large crowd watching at a live concert.

Band performing on a stage lit with purple and orange lights village fest

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Group of people in red shirts and medals posing in front of a “Queensland Yeppoon Running Festival” backdrop near the beach.

Queensland Yeppoon Running Festival

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People gathered on a grassy area near the beach for an outdoor event with tents, banners, and a large curved-roof structure in view.

Yeppoon Running Festival aerial view

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Person in a Santa hat holding a child while watching colourful fireworks at night, with others nearby enjoying the display.

Person in a Santa hat holding a child while watching colourful fireworks at night

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