Grants and Funding
Grant or funding opportunities may be available to support the development of your business, project or event. Before applying, make sure you read the program guidelines and entity and project eligibility carefully to ensure that your project meets the program criteria. Some grants are highly competitive with short application time frames.
Letter of Support
Destination Central West NSW may be able to provide a Letter of Support for your project if it aligns with the
Central West NSW Destination Management Plan. Please note that Destination Central West NSW cannot determine if your organisation or project is eligible for funding. You must confirm your organisation and project eligibility under the relevant fund or program before requesting a letter of support. Please complete
this form to request a Letter of Support for your project.
Current Funding Opportunities
Stronger Together Local Council Major Festival Grants Program
Closes 4pm, Friday 2 October
The Multicultural NSW Stronger Together Grants Program funds major multicultural festivals run by local councils across NSW in 2027–28. The grants support events that celebrate cultural diversity, promote understanding, and preserve traditions.
Eligible councils can receive up to $250,000 for one festival held between 1 February 2027 and 29 February 2028. Festivals must attract at least 10,000 attendees in regional NSW or 30,000 in metropolitan areas.
Innovate with nbn Grants Program
Closes Monday 12 October
The 2026 Innovate with nbn® Grants Program is now open, championing the ideas, resilience and ingenuity of regional digital businesses. $125,000 in grant funding is available across seven categories, including the new Innovation for Productivity category.
Grants of $15,000 are available for each category winner, with $20,000 available for the overall 2026 Innovate with nbn® Champion.
Wine Tourism & Cellar Door Grant [Round 8]
Closes 5pm, 23 October 2026
The grant is to support wine or cider producers who add value by encouraging visitors to wine regions, and thereby encourage wine tourism.
Wine producers who have met the eligibility criteria in the preceding financial year may apply for a grant payment of 29 per cent of the notional wholesale selling price of their eligible rebatable domestic cellar door sales (up to $100,000 (GST exclusive)).
Eligibility criteria applies.
Learn more and apply today.
Great Western Highway Small Business Support Grant
Closes Friday 22 January 2027
Grants of up to $25,000 are now available to eligible small businesses in Hartley, Hartley Vale, Little Hartley and Mount Victoria as part of a NSW Government support package.
Grants of up to $10,000 are also available to eligible small businesses in all other towns and localities within NSW postcodes 2785, 2786 and 2790, as well as Oberon and Duckmaloi in postcode 2787.
Early applications highly encouraged.
Learn more and apply today.
Regional Arts NSW Quick Response Grants
Open monthly until November
The Regional Arts NSW's Quick Response Grants are open monthly through to November, providing funding for unplanned, time-sensitive opportunities. Grants support urgent needs like skills development or last-minute project delivery and are assessed competitively at month's end.
Individuals can apply for up to $3,000 and organisations up to $5,000 for projects beginning within 2-12 weeks of the round's close.
Regional Event Fund 2026/27
- Event Development Stream
Closes: 31 December 2026 (or until funds are exhausted)
The Regional Event Fund supports events that drive visitation, extend overnight stays and contribute to the visitor economy across regional NSW. The Event Development stream supports events that have previously received the maximum funding permitted through the Flagship Event stream and can present a comprehensive strategy for future growth that includes the continued development of its tourism potential to drive overnight visitation to the event.
First Nations Tourism Mentoring Program
Close: Ongoing
The FNTMP can support you to grow your tourism business by connecting you with expert advice, tailored learning and access to culturally respectful industry specialists. If you are a First Nations tourism business and you have aspirations to grow, the FNTMP will give you access to free one-on-one mentoring, delivered in a way which suits your needs.
The FNTMP can support you to grow your tourism business by: connecting you with industry professionals who can provide free, one-on-one advice; and culturally respectful support; providing access to a suite of learning supports and resources developed for and tailored to the First Nations tourism sector.
The mentoring will be delivered by industry specialists who have: tourism industry knowledge and experience including understanding of local tourism opportunities; experience working in a culturally appropriate and respectful manner with First Nations businesses and/or communities; previous experience providing business advice and support (including mentoring) and/or owning and operating a business.
It is a flexible program and the mentoring will be a mixture of face to face and online as preferred. Mentees will have an initial, one-on-one meeting with their mentor to discuss the current state of their business, their goals and objectives and to agree on the duration and frequency of mentoring as per the table below
Find out more here.
Arts Projects for Individuals & Groups
Close: Ongoing
Creative Australia offers up to $50,000 for a range of activities and projects, both national and international, across all art forms. This program funds a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public, including national and international audiences and communities. Grants are available from $10,000 to $50,000.
Find out more here.
Tips for grant applications
Funding through grant programs can provide significant benefits to businesses and destinations, helping to drive economic growth, create jobs, and improve the visitor experience.
When applying for grants, there are several considerations to keep in mind:
- Eligibility: Before applying for a grant, ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria for the grant program. Check the guidelines carefully to ensure that you are eligible to apply, and that your project fits within the scope of the grant program.
- Timing: Check the grant application deadline and plan to ensure that you have enough time to prepare a quality application.
- Research: Research the grant program thoroughly, including the application process, assessment criteria, and funding priorities. Understand the goals of the grant program and how your project aligns with those goals.
- Project design: Develop a well-planned project that is clearly defined, feasible, and aligned with the objectives of the grant program. Ensure that the project can be delivered within the proposed timeline and budget.
- Budget and financials: Prepare a realistic budget that reflects the costs of the project and the funding requested from the grant program. Ensure that you have the financial management capacity to deliver the project and manage the grant funds effectively.
- Evaluation and reporting: Consider how you will evaluate the success of the project and report back to the grant program. Ensure that you have the capacity to collect data and report on the outcomes of the project in a timely and accurate manner.
- Compliance and governance: Understand the compliance requirements and governance expectations associated with the grant program. Ensure that your organisation has the appropriate policies and procedures in place to manage the grant funds and comply with reporting and accountability requirements.
Overall, careful planning, research, and attention to detail are key when applying for grants. By addressing these considerations, you can improve your chances of submitting a successful grant application that meets the needs of the grant program and delivers positive outcomes for your organisation and stakeholders.
Need more help? Find a grant writer near you....
The following companies provide grant writing services to operators and organisations in the Central West.
We are always looking to grow our network of grant writers in the region. If you are a grant writer and would like to be included, get in touch:
info@dncw.com.au
Fable and Stay
Storytelling with strategy; specialising in destination, event and infrastructure applications.
Sparrowly Group
Specialises in grants requiring business case, cost benefit analysis, social impact assessments, and general grant writing.
Tilma Group
High-impact tourism grant support, from identifying suitable opportunities to shaping strategically aligned applications, developing strong supporting documentation and providing expert writing or review to maximise clarity and funding success.
Arts Online Consulting
Specialises in grant applications, management coaching, digital marketing strategy and more.
Win the Grant or Tender
Strategic project development and writers for tourism, community, infrastructure, social and economic impact, business cases and community engagement and facilitation. Over $500 million secured.
David Waddell Advisory
Specialises in Council applications, Economic Development Type applications, Property and Projects. David was until recently the CEO of Orange City Council.
