Apply for funding to help sustain, grow or improve community festivals and events: Festival and Community Event Development Program

You need to use the funding to help you:

• sustain community festivals and events
• grow community festivals and events
• improve community festivals and events

Funding amount

The Festival and Community Event Development Program may fund up to a maximum of $10,000 for each event (funded amount may not be the full amount of funds requested). The applicant needs to fund the balance of the costs. You can only apply for funding for 1 event each fiscal year.

Eligible event costs

Eligible events costs need to support a single component of an event (not an entire event, majority of event costs or multiple operational costs). Examples of eligible costs for an event component include:

• marketing or public relations assistance
• Nova Scotia artist fees
• training for staff or volunteers

Ineligible costs include:

• infrastructure (like buildings, renovations, buying permanent signs, plaques, monuments and gardens)
• fireworks
• fundraisers
• family reunions
• political or religious events
• leagues, clubs, sports training camps or tournaments
• retreats
• business conventions, conferences, workshops or other meeting-related gatherings
• events that are solely an artisan fair, craft fair, tea or supper
• alcoholic drinks
• membership fees
• parades
• travel costs or performance fees for non-Nova Scotia-based artists
• insurance
• purchase of equipment, supplies, miscellaneous items (like audio-visual equipment, sports equipment, computers, tents, chairs, office supplies)
• items that will be given away or sold (like prizes, food, swag, t-shirts)

Evaluation process

A funding panel of industry professionals assess and scores the applications. Not all funding applications are approved.

Eligibility

Non-profits, municipalities and Mi’kmaq communities can apply for funding if the organization is:

• registered with Registry of Joint Stock Companies
• a city, town or village in Nova Scotia
• a Nova Scotian Mi’kmaw band

Funding requirements

Festival and events need to meet all of the following criteria:

• event revenue comes from multiple sources and isn’t solely from the Festival and Community Event Development Program
• combined government funding (municipal, provincial and federal) can’t exceed 50% of total event revenue
• event takes place between 1 April 2026 and 31 March 2027
• event is open to the public or allows public participation
• if the event requires a set number of registrants or participants (like a fun run), activities are open for public viewing

For-profit businesses are not eligible for funding.

You need to apply for funding by 27 February 2026.

How to apply

1. Complete the funding application.
2. Check the application for details on all required supporting documents.
3. Send your completed application and supporting documents by email.

How long it takes

It should take 2 to 3 months for the program to review your funding application and let you know if your funding application is approved. It can take longer if more information is needed or if your application hasn’t been filled in correctly.

Cost

There is no cost to apply.

Before you start

Make sure you have:

• Registry of Joint Stock Companies ID (if you're a non-profit)
• description of event (including start date and end date)
• amount of funding requested
• event location
• detailed event budget

Application form

Applications are closed.