A Community Event is a festival or event staged for residents as a celebration of local culture, sports or activities that reflect our city and its people.
These events are open to the general public and generate civic pride, add to the city’s vibrancy, and encourage residents to feel included within their community.
A national or regional event staged in Dunedin may be considered for a DCC Community Event Grant if a strong level of local participation can be demonstrated.
Funding for events is governed by two different processes:
- Community Event Grants for smaller, community-oriented events.
- Major Community and Premier Events Funding for larger events that focus on attracting visitors to the city and have larger audiences / participation.
The Dunedin City Council’s vision and strategic framework for events is set out in the Dunedin Festivals and Events Strategy 2018 - 2023
Community Event Grants of up to $10,000 are allocated in two funding rounds each year, with applications closing on the last Friday of March and the last Friday of September at 5.00pm sharp.
Please check the Grants Calendar for application dates - DCC Grants Calendar (PDF | 155kb | new window)
While Community Events grants applications from incorporated societies or trusts are preferred, applications are accepted from individuals or commercial organisations. However, the events themselves cannot be commercial.
The Grants Subcommittee reserves the right to fund two separate events held by the same organiser within a 12-month period.
As well as the DCC grants funding general criteria the following criteria apply.
The event must:
- Be staged within the boundaries of Dunedin city.
- Build a sense of community or respond to an identified community need.
- Add vibrancy and diversity to the range of events held in Dunedin.
The event must not:
- Be a conference, seminar or meeting. However, funding may be applied for in the case of any free-of-charge public access component of a conference or seminar.
Event costs that do not qualify:
- General salaries, except as a proportion of the total event costs.
- Maintenance or development of facilities.
- Research, feasibility studies, event evaluation projects or seed funding.
- Prize money.
- Catering.
Applicants must complete the Community Events Grant application form and provide:
- A comprehensive event concept and event programme.
- Evidence of the event organiser’s skills and experience.
- A full and detailed project budget including information on other funding being sought or already obtained and ticketing income.
- At least 50% of the funding of the event for which they are applying – this can include donated materials, professional services or other in-kind contributions. However, where special circumstances can be demonstrated the Grants Subcommittee reserves the discretion to waive this requirement
Accountability:
The DCC requires all successful Community Events grant recipients to complete a brief report outlining how the grant was used, if the event was successful, what was achieved and learned.
- Grants Report Back Form (new window)
Review - Clarity in regard to Grants Policies and Food
In February 2025 a review was undertaken, to provide clarity for Dunedin City Council (DCC) staff and Councillors about whether food costs can be supported through the DCC’s contestable grants funds.
Recommendations
Following the findings of this review, that:
a) The DCC’s Grants Funding General Criteria is amended to include a reference/criteria to “food”, “catering”, and “alcohol”, and which is consistent with the criteria for individual grants;
b) Publicly available information about the DCC’s Small Project Grants is amended to include the line “Food is excluded for Small Project Grants only. This restriction does not apply to other DCC grant types which have their own criteria”.
Memo - Community Partnerships Clarity On Grants Policies and Food