Funding & Grants

Funding and Grants

Nelson City Council provides annual funding to support community and economic events through various funding channels.

ECONOMIC EVENTS FUND

The Nelson Events Fund is allocated according to the Nelson City Council Events Strategy. The strategy aims to support a diverse range of events that provide both community wellbeing and economic benefits, strengthen the region and its identity, stimulates a prosperous, vibrant and engaged community and delivers value at the right time. These events normally have a portion of visitors attending from outside of the region and generate an economic impact.

For more information visit the Nelson Tasman Funding webpage. 

COMMUNITY EVENTS FUND

Funding allocations will be guided by the priorities set out in the Nelson City Events Strategy to prioritise funding for events that contribute community wellbeing benefits, and the Arts and Heritage Activity Management Plan to prioritise funding towards events that contribute to:

  • A rich events calendar providing a diverse range of events for people to enjoy.
  • A sense of identity providing opportunities for community groups to celebrate and share
    their culture.
  • Partnership – Building the capacity and visibility of the community sector and promoting
    local creativity.
  • Community Wellbeing – Promotion of the wellbeing and cohesion of the local
    community.

To apply for the community Events Fund visit the Nelson City Council Smartygrants website. 

 

VENUE HIRE FUND 

Nelson City Council supports a wide range of community events within its venues. A venue community rate is available to many groups that qualify, nonetheless, requests are sometimes made for further financial support or sponsorship.   

Commercial or for profit events are outside the scope of this fund.  Events of this nature may be eligible for support under Councils Economic Events Fund. Council Facilities Venue Hire Fund supports community events at any time of the year, and provides discount for venue hire only. 
Events which are ineligible under this fund may still be eligible for a ‘community hire’ rate at Council facilities.    

Discounts will be capped at a maximum for each event.  The cap is based on two days hire at the community rate, for each hireable venue.

  • Applicants are considered for a discount on venue hire against the following criteria. 
  • The organisation must be a legal entity such as a trust, company, charity or incorporated society and must be able to provide evidence of this status.
  • The principle intent of the event is not for private or commercial financial gain, though such gains may occur as a consequence of the event. 
  • The event should be for the benefit of the wider community rather than an existing membership.
  • The event makes a positive contribution to achieving the Council's Community Outcomes:         

Our communities have opportunities to celebrate and explore their heritage, identity and creativity.

Our communities have access to a range of social, educational and recreational facilities.

  • The event should be financially accessible by a wide range of people across the community.
  • The event primarily benefits the people of Nelson City.
  • Not for profit events, that have and educational, social or community focus.

Ineligibility

  • Events that promote religious or political objectives.

Note: 

Religious or political organisations are not necessarily excluded; they may be eligible if their event meets the funding criteria. 

If not eligible under this fund, a community rate may still apply.    

  • Commercially focused, Conventions, Conferences, trade shows and exhibitions.
  • Private invitation-only events (e.g. weddings).
  • Events already funded through another Council funding stream (e.g. Community Investment Fund, Council’s Economic Events Fund or  Community Events Fund). 

Fill out this form to apply for funding.

 

CREATIVE COMMUNITIES

Arts Council Nelson administers the Nelson City Creative Communities Scheme on behalf of Creative New Zealand and Nelson City Council. Grants contribute toward arts based projects that clearly demonstrate community benefits.

There are two funding rounds per year with closing dates in March and August.

For more information visit the Arts Council Nelson webpage

WASTE MINIMISATION GRANTS

Nelson City Council may have grants available to support the avoidance or reduction of waste at events. These grants are subject to how much other Council funding you have received.  

For more information visit the Nelson City Council Waste Minimisation Grants webpage.

OTHER FUNDING

If you are looking for other Nelson City Council funding you can visit the Nelson City Council funding webpage.