Community Events

This program is open to not-for-profit groups, organisations or individuals who are organising an event in the Wollongong City Council area that can be shown to benefit the community.

Events must be held within the 2026-2027 financial year.

Events are classified into three groups for this program:

• Citywide events, which attract attendees from across the Wollongong area
• Local community events with a focus on attendance from a suburban area
• Sporting events of state or national significance.

Council may consider an event under a different category than what's listed on your application if we believe another category is more appropriate.

You must apply for this program using our online form, which will be available on this page when applications are open.

You will need to provide detailed information about your event including:

• A  description of your event, target audiences, location, etc.
• A budget showing all expenses and sources of income. This should also include information about any other sponsors of the event.
• A copy of your group or organisation's Constitution or Articles of Association if available.
• A copy of your public liability insurance for at least $20 million. If your event will be held on Council land, Council must be noted on the policy as an interested party.

If your application is successful, you'll need to sign a funding agreement with Council.

Out of round applications

Council may consider applications for sponsorship of community events after the main application round if we still have funds available. If you'd like to ask about making an out of round application, email or call us on (02) 4227 7111.

The following activities are not supported through this program:

• Local events that target a specific sector or group within the community, and are not aimed at the general broader community.
• Fetes.
• Conferences or dinners.
• Award presentations.
• Political events.
• Any event including fundraising events that are only available to paid ticket holders.
• Any event that Council considers to be an actual, possible or perceived conflict of interest. This can include a conflict between Council and the event organiser, or Council and another sponsor/supporter of the event.
• Any event that is considered to have a risk management cost to Council.
• Events organised by anyone who has previously received sponsorship from Council, but did not meet all the requirements of the past sponsorship agreement.
• Events that have already happened.
• Ongoing operational, maintenance or administrative costs.

The following sponsorship amounts are available for events under this program:

• City-wide events up to $15,000 + GST
• Local general community events up to $5,000 + GST
• Sporting events of state or national significance up to $5,000 + GST.

Support may be provided through a payment by cheque or direct deposit for an amount agreed on by Council.

If provided, in-kind support will be given as a dollar value used to cover the cost of services provided directly by Council.

Sponsorship is provided on a one-off basis. For annual or ongoing events, Council may also consider multi-year funding for up to four years.