Celebrate Together Grants 2026-27 Festivals and Events - Round 1

The Celebrate Together Grants are administered by Multicultural Affairs within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC).

The grants provide one-off funding annually to eligible multicultural organisations for festivals and events, which celebrate multiculturalism and diversity and support an inclusive and cohesive society. 

There are two categories of grants under the Celebrate Together Grants:

• Large Grants from $5,001 (Five thousand and one dollars only) to $30,000 (Thirty thousand dollars only) are available to eligible multicultural organisations for festivals and events to be delivered within 12 months, commencing in July 2026. There are matched funding requirements for applicants requesting Large Grants.
• Small Grants of up to $5,000 (Five thousand dollars only). The first round will be for events held between 1 July 2026 and 31 December 2026 and the second round will be for events held between 1 January 2027 and 30 June 2027.

For support and information on the grants process, view the online Grant Tutorials on the Multicultural Affairs website.

The following are ineligible for funding:

• non-multicultural organisations
• organisations that have outstanding obligations for previously awarded grants
• educational institutions or related representative bodies, e.g. schools and/or their parents’ associations, colleges, universities and for-profit childcare centres
• individuals or organisations applying on behalf of an individual
• for-profit organisations or private companies
• Commonwealth, state or local government department and agencies
• organisations that are the responsibility of another government department
• organisations that have been incorporated for less than one year
• organisations in receipt of existing multi-year event funding
• unincorporated Associations.

Funding can be used for eligible expenses that directly relate to the coordination, management and delivery of the festival or event within South Australia per application.

The following can be funded:

• venue hire (hall hire fees)
• equipment hire (lighting/ sound/audio visual equipment hire or catering equipment hire)
• staging hire
• marquee / stall / table / chair hire
• traditional costumes for performances
• security guards
• event advertising and marketing such as flyers, booklets and posters
• framed certificates and trophies for presentations
• cleaning materials
• printing of history books
• event public liability insurance (maximum of $250)
• catering (food) maximum amounts apply)* 

* For small grants up to $5,000, a maximum of $1,000 or 20% of the eligible grant, whichever is lower; and for large grants between $5,001 to $30,000 a maximum of $3,000, or 10% of the eligible grant, whichever is lower.

The following will not be supported:

• retrospective funding for festivals or events that are held before July 2026
• to supplement the recurrent or ongoing costs of an existing organisation
• activities that may be funded by or are the core responsibility of other state or Commonwealth government departments
• activities primarily aimed at meeting religious or political advocacy that do not advance the interests of an inclusive and cohesive Australian society
• engaging in, or promoting/demonstrating, activities that are deemed unlawful
• engaging in, or promoting/demonstrating, activities that may be a risk to public safety
• engaging in, or promoting/demonstrating, activities that have potential to cause damage to the Government Parties reputation
• food, beverages and consumables including catering and single use items
• funds or items to distribute to other bodies or individuals
• funding for alcohol, beverages and single use items
• funding for interstate or overseas artists, performers, facilitators or speakers
• funding for activities undertaken interstate or overseas
• funding for sporting competitions, digital campaigns and digital events
• prizes, competitions, donations, sponsorships or gift cards/vouchers
• volunteer honorariums, petrol expenses or other reimbursements
• marketing and promotion of organisation or existing services
• to purchase or lease buildings or land
• purchase of equipment (e.g. sound systems, lighting, catering equipment, stages, computers, photocopiers, vehicles)
• travel expenses (e.g. accommodation, flights, taxi vouchers and metro cards)
• expenses paid by cash.

Before you continue your application please ensure you can answer YES to the following questions:

• I have read the funding guidelines
• I will abide by the funding guidelines
• The applicant is a multicultural not-for-profit organisation
• The applicant has a registered Australian Business Number (ABN)
• The application is not for reimbursement of funds that have already been spent
• The application is not for a festival/event that is aimed at meeting religious or political objectives that do not advance the interests of an inclusive and cohesive Australian society
• The application is not for a festival/event that may be a risk to public safety.