New funding available for Jewish festivals and cultural events
The state government has announced $1 million for the Stronger Together Festival and Event Grants Program, opening a key funding avenue for Jewish community organisations in NSW.
Administered by Multicultural NSW, the program offers grants of between $5,000 and $20,000 for events held between 1 October 2026 and 30 September 2027. It is the only funding round for the 2026-27 period.
The Shalom Food Festival in March 2026
The grants are relevant for Jewish organisations planning public events centred on food, music, arts, culture, history, community education or interfaith connection.
To qualify, events must be open to the wider public and promote cross-cultural understanding. Single-faith religious rituals, religious promotions, political activities, commercial or fundraising activities, and national or independence day celebrations for countries other than Australia are excluded from funding.
The program has previously supported the Jewish community. Shalom Collective received a $5,000 grant in November 2025 for a “large, family-friendly Jewish Food Festival featuring at least 30 stalls, food and beverages across multiple cuisines and cultures, live music, community bands, a children’s program, and cooking and sustainability workshops”.
Eligible applicants must be NSW-based non-profit organisations that can show co-contributions from other funding sources, provide an accurate budget, and outline clear methods for measuring attendance and outcomes.
Local councils may only apply if they form a direct partnership with a community group.
Steve Kamper at a 2025 Pre-Chanukah Event © Salty Dingo 2025
Applications close at 4pm on Monday, 13 July 2026, and Multicultural NSW will hold an online information session on 23 June 2026.
NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said the funding would help communities gather in person to foster understanding and belonging by giving the broader public the chance to experience diverse cultures.
“It’s never been more important for communities to get together in-person to celebrate the many cultures that make up NSW,” Mr Kamper said.
“These grants are about fostering understanding and belonging by giving the whole community the chance to taste, experience, and learn about diverse cultures.
“Every year we are impressed by the creativity and energy our multicultural organisations bring to these events, from small local gatherings to major multicultural festivals.
“The NSW Government is proud to support them to turn their ideas into events that are real highlights on the community’s calendar.”
More information, including program guidelines and the application form, is available at https://multicultural.nsw.gov.au/stronger-together-events-festivals/.
