Grants and Funding
Dubbo Regional Council provides opportunities for eligible applicants to receive financial assistance. We also promote external funding opportunities that may be of interest to our residents.
The various avenues for Council assistance are outlined in our Financial Assistance Policy, which was adopted on 22 July 2025. You can read the policy at our dedicated webpage; A-Z Council Policies
OPEN STREAMS
Destination Events Fund
This funding stream is open all financial year.
Large scale mass participation and mass gathering events deliver significant economic benefits and have the potential to generate reputational capital and long-term economic growth.
To help attract these events and achieve strategic outcomes, Council allocates funding annually under its Destination Events Fund.
The economic benefit of events applying must be no less than $400,000 and the applicant must make a commitment to hold the event in the Dubbo Region for three years.
Council reserves the right to determine funding outside the Guidelines should the event be deemed to be of benefit to the Dubbo Region.
All applicants are required to contact our Events Unit on 02 6801 4000 once they have read and understood the Destination Events Fund Guidelines (PDF 705KB). Locally organised events are ineligible to apply. Application information will be provided by our Events Unit following contact.
CLOSED STREAMS
Bodangora Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund
This funding stream is currently closed.
We administer funding through the Bodangora Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund to not-for-profit community organisations, to support projects that deliver social, economic or environmental outcomes to local communities of Wellington and village districts forming part of the Dubbo Regional Council Local Government Area.
All applicants are required to apply online via Smarty Grants once they have read and understood the Bodangora Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund Guidelines. No paper applications, or applications via email or fax will be accepted. Eligible groups can apply for up to $20,000 and only one application per organisation will be accepted.
The Bodangora Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund has been created from Development Contributions arising from the Planning Agreement between Council, Iberdrola Australia and Bodangora Wind Farm Pty Ltd.
Community Funding Program
The assessment period for applications will commence on 1 September 2025.
The Community Funding Program is a $250,000 annual fund that supports projects, events, programs and activities that help make our region better. It’s funding that enables and facilities others to deliver community benefit outcomes and whose intent is to assist in the delivery or enhancement of our strategic priorities.
Learn more about strategic priorities through our Community Strategic Plan and our other plans and strategies here; Integrated Planning and Reporting and A-Z Plans and Strategies.
All applicants are required to read and understand the Applicant Handbook (PDF 798.7KB) prior to applying via Smarty Grants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the funding program changed?
Council’s funding channels have been combined into one program to make it easier for the community to apply for funding.
Is there still a Community Services Fund, SPARC Fund or Event Assistance Program?
These three funding channels have been streamlined into one program to make it easier for organisations to apply.
What sort of programs and projects can apply?
The Community Funding Program will provide financial assistance for eligible events, projects, programs or activities that deliver community benefit outcomes to the Dubbo Regional Local Government Area, and that assist in the delivery or enhancement of our Community Strategic Plan.
When does the new funding program open?
Applications are now open with the first assessment period commencing on 1 September 2025.
When does the funding program close?
The first assessment period will commence on 1 September 2025. We encourage applications before this date if you wish to be considered for the first assessment period.
The overall program doesn’t close, you can submit an application anytime, however your application will not be evaluated until the active assessment period.
Should I apply straight away?
For the first assessment period we encourage organisations to apply for projects and programs that are commencing before 1 May 2026. We will be prioritising these applications over projects not proposed to start until May 2026.
Is the Bodangora Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund combined into the new program?
The Bodangora Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund will continue to operate as a separate fund.
How much funding can be applied for?
There are three funding value levels which each require different return benefits and reporting. The majority of applications should be for minor value from $500.01 – less than $9,999.99 and major value $10,000 or over.
Applications for micro value $599 or less, are assessed monthly through a different process. Different categories such as events, may have other funding limits as part of specific criteria.
How do I apply?
Applications for the Community Funding Program can be made through Smarty Grants.
How does Council decide what programs or projects gets funded?
As funding is limited, Council must priorities projects that closely align with our strategic goals and offer the greatest positive impact for the community. An assessment panel recommends applicants for determination of funding via the relevant Standing Committee of Council and the Ordinary Council meeting.
EXTERNAL STREAMS
ClubGRANTS
Funding opportunities listed on this platform will have differing requirements and deadlines.
We promote ClubGRANTS webpage for our local community, as it makes finding government grant opportunities easy to find.
Grants within the Central-West Orana REZ
Funding opportunities listed on this platform will have differing requirements and deadlines.
We promote the Grants within the Central-West Orana REZ webpage for our local community, as it makes finding government grant opportunities easy to find.
Indigenous Grants and Funding
Funding opportunities listed on this platform will have differing requirements and deadlines.
We promote the Indigenous Grants webpage for our local community, as it makes finding grant and funding opportunities for First Nations Australians easy to find.
NSW Government Grants and Funding
Funding opportunities listed on this platform will have differing requirements and deadlines.
We promote the NSW Government Grants and Funding webpage for our local community, as it makes finding government grant opportunities easy to find.
RDA Orana Grants Hub
Funding opportunities listed on this platform will have differing requirements and deadlines.
We promote the RDA Orana Grants Hub for our local community, as it makes finding grant opportunities easy to find.
Registering to the Grants Hub means you will never miss a grant opportunity again, with the ability to receive email alerts for new grants, save your favourites and receive up to date information to assist you in applying for the grants.
The RDA Orana Grants Hub is owned by Regional Development Australia – Orana, who have partnered with GrantGuru to provide this free grant finding tool for local businesses, community groups and not-for-profit organisations.
Regional Event Fund
Funding opportunities listed on this platform will have differing requirements and deadlines.
We promote the Incubator Event, Flagship Event and Event Development webpages by Destination NSW for our local community, as it makes finding event grant opportunities easy to find.
Last Edited: 25 Jul 2025