The Multicultural NSW Stronger Together Grants Program supports multicultural festivals and events across NSW.
Key information
- Status: Open
- Grant amount: From $5,000 to $20,000
- Application opened: 11 June 2026
- Application closes: 13 July 2026, 4:00 pm
Program objective
The Multicultural NSW Stronger Together Grants Program supports multicultural festivals and events across NSW. We invest in community events and activities that foster community harmony and celebrate cultural diversity as a precious part of our identity and way of life.
The Stronger Together Festival and Event Grant Program supports multicultural and multifaith community groups to produce festivals and events that celebrate and embrace our state’s vibrant cultural diversity.
In 2026-27, Multicultural NSW will be opening only one round of the Stronger Together Festival and Event Grant Program for festivals and events held between 1 October 2026 and 30 September 2027.
This program is funded and administered by Multicultural NSW.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a Stronger Together Festivals and Events grant, applicants must:
- be located within NSW
- show how the festival or event will present cultures and traditions
- outline how they will measure success and outcomes, including collecting attendance data to be shared with Multicultural NSW post event
- show co-contributions from other funding sources towards the festival or event. It is unlikely that an application will receive a grant if there is no co-contribution
- confirm past and current funding sources for the past three years
- have acquitted all prior grants awarded by Multicultural NSW
- be a non-profit sharing organisation
- show that the festival or event is cost effective and viable with an accurate budget
- have all appropriate insurances and licences
- submit an application using the Multicultural NSW SmartyGrants portal before the closing date
- deliver the festival or event within the delivery timeframe for the grant. This information is in the grant guidelines and application form
- promote the Multicultural NSW and NSW Government funded event or project on their website and social media platforms.
Who can apply
- Incorporated not-for-profit community organisations.
Who can’t apply
- Individuals or groups of individuals
- Unincorporated organisations
- For-profit commercial organisations
Types of projects funded under this grant
- Projects that promote cross-cultural awareness and understanding. They must engage a broad cross-section of the NSW community
- Projects that ensure NSW’s multicultural communities can celebrate, preserve and share traditions
- Projects that are accessible by the general public and are for all communities of NSW.
What can’t you apply for
The following activities are excluded from receiving grant funding:
- political activities
- commercial or fundraising activitieslocal councils, unless they have partnered with
a community organisation - films and writers’ festivals
- celebration of national or independence days of countries other than Australia. Activities planned for key Australian days including ANZAC Day, Australia Day, Clean Up Australia Day and NAIDOC week can apply and are eligible to receive funding
- single faith religious rituals or promotions. Multi-faith events which involve people from more than one religion can apply
- activities that are dependent on recurrent annual funding
- applications that support core business or operating costs of the organisation. This includes supplementing, increasing or continuing ongoing service delivery.
What your application needs to include
You must apply using Multicultural NSW's SmartyGrants platform.
Access the SmartyGrants platform on the Multicultural NSW website.
The application:
- must meet eligibility criteria and is not an excluded activity
- form is complete and submitted on time
- is appropriate to the Program
- demonstrates capacity to successfully deliver the festival or event
- presents good value for money
Eligible organisations can submit more than one application for different festivals or events. If successful, organisations will only receive one grant within the same funding round.
Available funding pool
Multicultural NSW always receives more funding requests than the amount of funding available. Successful applications will be of a high standard.
The limited funding pool and competitive assessment process mean that even strong, well-prepared applications cannot always be supported.
Due to the high volume of applications, Multicultural NSW only provides general feedback to unsuccessful applicants.
Funding agreements
Terms and Conditions will apply to the grant funding agreement. Successful organisations are required to:
- review and understand the funding agreement Terms and Conditions
- acknowledge that an agreement based on those Terms and Conditions will apply to the grant
- ensure that if a grant is awarded, they will agree to comply with these Terms and Conditions in acquitting the grant.
Project budgets and use of funding
A detailed budget must be provided in the grant application. In-kind contributions should also be outlined in the grant application.
The budget income and expenditure must balance.
Multicultural NSW strongly encourages co-contributions from applications towards the festival or event. It is unlikely that an application will receive a grant if there is no co-contribution.
Funding restrictions apply for the following items:
- Catering. No more than 20% of the budget can be used for catering
- Administration. No more than 10% of the budget can be used for administrative costs related to the grant funded project delivery. Administration costs include organisation staffing
- Insurances. No portion of the grant funding can be used towards insurance costs, including, but not limited to, Public Liability Insurance, Workers Compensation Insurance and Volunteers Insurance
- Capital expenditure or purchases. No portion of the grant funding can be used towards capital expenditure or purchase costs. Including, but not limited to, building costs or maintenance and equipment purchase
- Cash prizes or gifts. No portion of the grant funding can be used towards cash prizes or gifts, including gift vouchers
- Independent audit fees. No portion of the grant funding can be used towards financial independent audit fees.
Start the application
Applications for this grant are available via Stronger Together Festival and Event Grants Page on the Multicultural NSW website.
After the application is submitted
The applications will be assessed and both successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified.
Due to the high volume of applications, Multicultural NSW only provides general feedback to unsuccessful applicants.
Support and contact
Phone: 02 8255 6779
Email: grantsinfo@multicultural.nsw.gov.au
Postal Address: PO Box 618, Parramatta NSW 2124