Applications for the Surf Coast community event grants are now open.

Event organisers will have the opportunity to apply for extra funding from the Surf Coast Shire under the latest grant round.

Commercial organisers and not-for-profits holding an event in the Surf Coast Shire can apply, with up to $3,000 available for events held between July 1 and December 24 this year.

Mayor Liz Pattison said their events calendar ranges from bespoke community gatherings to larger scale events.

“From the Deans Marsh Community Festival in March to last year’s Kite Festival, our community grants facilitate an array of activities.”

The events applying for the grant program usually attract local residents and celebrate local communities, bringing together diverse groups.

“With today’s cost of living, the grants help the community put on a family and cost-friendly day out. We look forward to seeing the diversity of applications in the upcoming round.”

In December last year, the Surf Coast Shire revamped the grants program, making changes to some of the criteria.

As part of the changes there’s now two separate rounds of the community event grant program, with the second opening in October.

The current round is part of the Surf Coast Shire’s Event Grants and Sponsorship Program, supporting a range of events in the area.

As part of the program there are four different grants available throughout the year.

Applications for the Community Event Grants close on April 30, with all applicants required to speak with a council officer before applying.

For more information and to view the full criteria, head here.

Read Surf Coast Times story here.

Image credit: The Deans Marsh Festival was a previous recipient of the Community Event Grant. Photo: SUPPLIED