How to develop a business case to support grant applications
It might feel like the events industry is going under…
UPCOMING GRANTS TO GROW REGIONAL TOURISM
Now is the time to prepare your projects for grant applications that will be announced in coming months, whether your project relates to infrastructure, marketing, training for your committee, hiring performers or consultants or equipment, or planning how you will revitalise your event post-COVID.
DEVELOPING A COMPELLING BUSINESS CASE
An effective business case provides rationale to potential funding partners on why your project should be undertaken, helping them understand
its economic value
why a private or public partner should invest in it
why it represents a worthy expenditure of public funds
It will outline
expected outcomes if the investment support is provided
the opportunity cost if the project does not go ahead
the capital required
timelines and capacity to deliver
how outcomes will be measured
how the project aligns with the mission of your organisation
Case study
We recently developed a strong business case for the expansion of Heifer Station Winery in Orange, NSW so that it can host large scale events and festivals.
The business case included:
Concept and project elements
Rationale
Economic benefits
Strategic and marketing benefits
Social benefits
Value for money
Project support
Financial projections
Project delivery - to establish credibility to deliver project and sustain it as a successful business
Read our case study
WRITING A SUCCESSFUL GRANT APPLICATION
Sign up now to receive notifications about when relevant grants open, such as the Building Better Regions Fund, and your state’s events grants. The federal grant finder grants.gov.au and your state government’s grant finder are perfect places to start. This Grant Opportunities for Events tipsheet can help you find relevant grants.
Keep a record in your calendar of when relevant grant rounds open and close. To make life easy, use this grants tracker template.
A good grant application effectively addresses the grant’s criteria by demonstrating your organisation’s ability to deliver services that respond to issues in your community (even private business expansion will help grow your local economy). Here are comprehensive tips on effectively responding to grant criteria.
Lastly, remember to leave time to ask for feedback on how to improve your submission from your Council and local branch of Regional Development Australia.
If you would like comprehensive guidance on how to successfully apply for grant funding we recommend our on-demand online training module Grant Funding Made Easy.
SUPPORT FOR YOUR EVENT
Our sister business, regional tourism and events consultancy Tilma Group, have a very strong track record in helping events secure significant grant funding, such as
Securing significant and one-off grants for the Adina Polocrosse World Cup held in Warwick, QLD from Tourism & Events Queensland’s Major Events fund, Southern Downs Regional Council (multi-year), the QLD Gambling Community Benefit Fund, and the federal Stronger Communities Program
Securing Tourism & Events Queensland Queensland Destination Event Program (QDEP) funding for events to develop event revitalisation plans and hire marketing support
Developing a strategic business plan to help Alice Springs Rotary Henley on Todd Regatta secure record-breaking multi-year funding from two grant providers to fund 90% of the actions within the plan
Learn more about how Tilma Group can help you with grants
…but we will come out the other and continue on our journey
