Six community organisations have shared in more than $18,000 in funding under Round 1 of the Events Support program run by Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC).
TRC has injected more than $360,000 back into the community through Round 1 of the 2024/25 grants program, which provides funding across a range of activities including the environment, culture and the arts, sport, youth and community support.
TRC Community Development, Facilities and Tourism portfolio spokesperson, Councillor James O'Shea, said it was great that regional groups were accessing this funding to assist towards marketing and event development.
"We love to support local organisations that make our region shine through a range of imaginative events," Cr O'Shea said
"In this first round for 2024 we have attracted applications from across the region from local community groups and organisations which make positive contributions to the quality of life in our communities," he said.
"At the centre of all these events is local people and Council is pleased it can contribute to encouraging our events to grow and making our communities richer for the experience.
The groups which received funding in this round for Regional and Major Events were:
- Clifton and District Progress Association for Clifton Country Week.
- Peranga Community Association for a community participation day.
- Pittsworth District Alliance for Christmas in Pittsworth.
- Toowoomba and District Old Machinery Society for its annual Expo in Oakey.
- Goombungee-Haden AH & P Society for the Goombungee Rodeo.
- Youth With A Mission Toowoomba Inc for the Streets and Lanes Festival.
Cr O'Shea said Council's website promotes a number of funding programs available at different times of the year.
"Funding grants require applicants to first register for a SmartyGrants account. Sign up is free and access to the SmartyGrants portal is via Council's website, which lists all available funding opportunities," he said.
"Regular grant subscribers may already be familiar with SmartyGrants, and for those that aren't, we are willing to meet with community groups and organisations to provide a simple overview of the system.
"It is a one-stop shop that makes it easier for community organisations to apply and provides them with a better online experience when completing an application."
Council funding is open to events that provide substantial economic and social benefit to the region with regional events classified as attracting crowds of more than 1,000 and major events attracting more than 5,000 attendees.
