Event Fund

The Event Fund operates three times per year, with the funding rounds being open in June, September and March annually.

Total funding available is determined through Council’s Annual Plan and Long Term Plan processes.

Applications must be submitted through Council’s online portal.

It is preferred that applicants are legally incorporated societies or charitable trusts registered with the Charities Commission. However, applications from individuals, volunteer-led groups, community organisations, schools, clubs, and community networks will also be considered where there is clear community benefit.

To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate:

• That the event will take place within the Manawatū rating district.
• A sound financial plan and realistic event budget.
• The ability to safely and successfully deliver the event.
• Appropriate planning, including health and safety considerations where required, and
• That the event provides a clear benefit to the Manawatū rating district and its residents.

The Event Fund will not normally support:

• Events held outside the Manawatū rating district, unless there is clearly demonstrated impact and benefit to the district and its residents.
• Private functions or invitation-only events.
• Activities primarily intended for commercial or private profit.
• Events where the primary purpose is to raise money and the event budget shows the event is expected to make a profit which will be returned to the applicant.
• Ongoing organisational operational costs unrelated to the event.
• Capital works or significant asset purchases.
• Debt repayment.
• Prize money or trophies.
• Alcohol purchases.
• Retrospective costs (work already completed).
• Political activities or events where the primary purpose is political advocacy,
• Events that duplicate an existing Council-supported event without demonstrating additional community benefit, or
• Activities inconsistent with Council policies or legislation.

The following costs may be supported where they are directly related to the delivery of the event:

• Venue hire.
• Materials and consumables.
• Equipment hire.
• Promotion and marketing.
• Accessibility measures.
• Safety-related costs, and
• Approved traffic management expenses.

All applications will be considered at the same time to adequately divide the available funding within each round, and in accordance with Council’s Delegations Manual.

Applications will be assessed against:

• The overall community benefit of the event.
• Contribution to community connection, participation, wellbeing, local identity, or vibrancy.
• Alignment with Council strategies and community outcomes.
• Accessibility and inclusiveness of the event.
• The need for funding and whether the budget is realistic.
• Organisational capability and event planning.
• Health and safety considerations.
• Potential social, cultural, or economic benefits to the district.
• Avoidance of unnecessary duplication with existing events.
• Performance against accountability requirements for previous Council funding, and
• The overall mix and distribution of funded events across the district.

Priority may be given to events that:

• Are free or low-cost to attend.
• Support rural communities or smaller settlements.
• Encourage broad community participation.
• Celebrate local culture, heritage, or identity.
• Support diverse communities and audiences.
• Demonstrate strong volunteer involvement, or
• Contribute positively to community resilience and connection.

Successful applicants must:

• Use the funding only for the approved purpose.
• Provide a short accountability report within two months of the event taking place.
• Provide evidence of expenditure if requested by Council.
• Acknowledge Manawatū District Council support in promotional material or event communications where appropriate, and
• Provide photographs, attendance numbers, or event outcome information if requested.

Where traffic management funding has been supported, applicants may also be required to provide confirmation that all required approvals were obtained and that the approved Traffic Management Plan was implemented.

The Manawatū District Council logo will be provided to successful applicants where acknowledgement of Council support is required.