Grants and Community Assistance

The Sport & Recreation Club Grant is available annually to grassroots sport and recreation clubs to support the club’s general operations and functions. The level of funding available to clubs is based on a progressive scale, the higher the number of active members, the greater the support available to the club. The Sport & Recreation Club Grant Program is open for applications over 3 rounds during the 2026/27 Financial Year. These will be as follows:

Sport and Recreation Club Grant - Fact Sheet(PDF, 58MB)

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The Facility Management Grant is available only to organisations that oversee or manage facilities utilised by more than one sporting code. Funding must be used solely for the maintenance of facilities, playing fields, and maintenance equipment. The grant cannot be used for day-to-day administrative expenses or the purchase of resources unrelated to the facility maintenance program. The Facility Management Grant Program is open for 2026/27 applications from 1 July 2027 to 31 May 2027.

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The Community Sponsorship Program provides targeted financial and/or in-kind support to initiatives that deliver a mutual benefit to both the Whitsunday community and Whitsunday Regional Council. Unlike grants and donations, sponsorships are provided in exchange for defined benefits or value to Council. The Community Sponsorship Program is open for applications over 3 rounds during the 2026/27 Financial Year. These will be as follows:

Community Sponsorship Program - Fact Sheet(PDF, 58MB)

Community Sponsorship Program - Guidelines(PDF, 162KB)

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The Community Donation Program provides flexible support to assist community organisations and defined cohorts where small financial and non-financial contributions can have a meaningful and immediate impact. The Community Sponsorship Program is open for applications over 3 rounds during the 2026/27 Financial Year. These will be as follows:

Community Donations Program - Fact Sheet (PDF, 64MB)

Community Donations Program - Guidelines(PDF, 149KB)

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The Young Achievers Grant is available for youth who have been selected to participate in a representative competition or program at a State, National or International level. The grant is provided by Council to assist in meeting the costs associated with participating in a representative competition or program. The Community Sponsorship Program is open for applications over 3 rounds during the 2026/27 Financial Year. These will be as follows:

Young Achievers' Grant - Fact Sheet(PDF, 58MB)

Young Achievers' Grant - Guidelines(PDF, 94KB)

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The Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) is delivered as a partnership between the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and Council. RADF promotes the role and value of arts, culture and heritage as key drivers of diverse and inclusive communities across Queensland. The RADF Program is open for applications over 3 rounds during the 2026/27 Financial Year. These will be as follows:

Useful Links

• RADF - Fact Sheet(PDF, 97MB)
•  (PDF, 97MB)RADF - Guidelines(PDF, 149KB)
•  (PDF, 149KB)Arts Queensland Website
•  Arts Queensland Funding Acknowledgement
•  RADF Tax Invoice(PDF, 964KB)
•  (PDF, 964KB)How to Complete a RADF Budget(PDF, 313KB)

For further information about any of the following grants, please contact us on 1300 972 753 or by email at info@whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au

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Calling for Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) Committee Members

We are calling for Expressions of Interest from community members who have an interest in the arts to become members of the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) Committee.

To register your expression of interest in becoming a committee member please write to us detailing your experience and/or interest in the Arts:

Attn: RADF Liaison Officer
info@whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au

or

PO Box 104
PROSERPINE QLD 4800

Community Support Policy (PDF, 368KB)

Statutory Declaration Form QLD(PDF, 109KB)

Donations on Rates & Charges for Non for Profit Organisations - Fact Sheet(PDF, 63MB)

Donations on Rates & Charges for Non for Profit Organisations - Guidelines

Whitsunday Regional Council is committed to fostering economic development, tourism, and cultural vibrancy within the region. Through our Major Events and Conferences Sponsorship Program, we provide financial and in-kind support to organizations hosting large-scale events that align with the strategic priorities of the region. These events play a critical role in driving visitation, supporting local businesses, and enhancing the Whitsunday brand. Our sponsorships are designed to help attract events that generate positive economic outcomes, promote off-peak tourism, and strengthen the region's reputation as a premier destination.

2025/26 funding round funds have now been allocated to the following events:

• Airlie Beach Festival of Music
• Viking Cup 10s
• Don River Dash
• Airlie Beach Triathlon
• Airlie Beach Marathon 

Expressions of Interest Rounds 2026/27

For more information on eligibility, funding parameters, and how to apply, please refer to our full Major Events and Conferences Sponsorship Policy(PDF, 296KB) and EOI document(PDF, 59MB) .

EOI Round 1

• Major Event and Conferences Sponsorship Policy(PDF, 296KB)
• Expressions of Interest - Major Events and Conferences Sponsorship Program(PDF, 59MB)

The purpose of the Facade Improvement Policy is to incentivise property and/or business owners in the Main Street of Proserpine, the Business Centre of Bowen, Stanley Street in Collinsville and the Main Street of Airlie Beach to improve their shopfronts.

The primary objectives of the policy is to:

• To improve the visual amenity and appeal of the streetscape;
• To encourage economic development;
• To encourage maintenance improvements of properties; and
• To promote a sense of place and community.

How does the funding work?

Our contribution to each grant will be to up to 50% of the eligible works and will be capped depending on the following factors:

• For shopfronts up to and including 12 metres long: a maximum Council contribution of $3000 may be granted; or
• For shopfronts over 12 metres: a maximum Council contribution of $5000 may be granted.
• In either case no more than $500 can be attributed to landscaping.

Further information on the assessment process is available within the policy below.

• Facade Improvement Policy(PDF, 641KB)
• Facade Improvement Application Form(PDF, 345KB)
• Facade Improvement Funding Agreement(PDF, 259KB)
• Facade Improvement Grant Acquittal Form(PDF, 221KB)