Events Grants

MLSER and Regional Special Events Grants Programs

The Civic Events division of the municipality administers two different funding programs; the Marketing Levy Special Event Reserve Grants program (MLSER) and the Regional Special Events Grants program. 

Program Contact:
Shari Dillman
Event Grant Administrator
902.497.3729
dillmas@halifax.ca 

Marketing Levy Special Event Reserve Grants Program

The MLSER Grant program is governed by Administrative Order Number 2014-020-GOV Respecting Marketing Levy Special Event Reserve Grants . The MLSER program provides financial support for non-profit organizations to host large scale special events in Halifax Regional Municipality that support and promote tourism and business development.  Funding for the MLSER program is generated from the hotel tax that applies to overnight sleeping establishments. The program has four funding categories: Distinguished Events, New (Emerging) Events, Signature Events and Major Hosting Events. 

Distinguished Events

The Distinguished Events program supports one-time large scale events that have high potential for national and international exposure, encourages multiple day visits to the Municipality, provides the Municipality with a competitive advantage and has a minimum budget of $50,000. The maximum grant award through this program is $50,000. Events in this program are scored on number of room nights generated, economic impacts and media exposure.

The second intake for funding Distinguished Events occurring between October 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024 is NOW OPEN.

2023/24 Distinguished Events Application - The deadline to apply is Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at 12 noon.

New (Emerging) Events

The New (Emerging) Events program supports organizations that bring or create a new event in Halifax Regional Municipality that address gaps in the existing event calendar and have the potential to become an annual tourism event. Organizations must have operated for a minimum of one (1) year with demonstrated experience in event management, and the event must have a minimum budget of $50,000. The maximum grant award through this program is $25,000. The business case must show how the event would benefit the Municipality and increase tourism and business development in the “shoulder/off season” (November to April). Preference will be given to organizations that have secured corporate and other levels of government funding.

The second intake for funding New (Emerging) Events occurring between October 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024 is NOW OPEN.

2023/24 New (Emerging) Events Application - The deadline to apply is Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at 12 noon.

Signature Events 

The Signature Events program supports annual large scale special events have been in existence for a minimum of five consecutive years, have a minimum budget of $100,000 to an organization that have operated for a minimum of three (3) consecutive years. The maximum grant award through this program is $100,000. Events in this program are scored on number of room nights generated, economic impacts and media exposure. Sustainable funding is offered up to a maximum of three (3) years.

The intake for funding Signature Events is on a three year basis and is CLOSED. The next three year funding cycle intake will open NOVEMBER 1, 2024.

Major Hosting Events

The Major Hosting program supports organizations bidding on the rights to host major events and supports programs, activities and services specific to the delivery of a major event being hosted in Halifax Regional Municipality. Events must be of a size and scope sufficient to draw tourists to the Municipality’s communities, attract significant media exposure, nationally and globally. Interested organizations for this program are to contact Shari Dillman at dillmas@halifax.ca. 

Events that are Not Eligible for funding under the MLSER program: 

• consumer shows
• tradeshows
• meetings
• seminars
• symposiums
• public lectures
• fundraisers
• professional training and development
• educational initiatives
• banquets
• conferences
• fundraising events 
• marketing initiatives
• events held outside Halifax Regional Municipality

Eligible Expenses:

Grants may be applied to programing, operating, marketing and promotional expenses. No portion of the grant shall be applied to staff wages, volunteer bursaries or honoraria; or paid to members or officers of an organization’s Board of Directors either directly or indirectly.

Regional Special Events Grants 

The Regional Special Events Grants program is governed by Administrative Order Number 2014-021-GOV Respecting Regional Special Events Grants .  This program provides financial support for non-profit organizations that host events which foster positive community development, celebrate heritage, arts and culture, build bridges between diverse populations, enrich quality of life for residents and improves civic pride in the Municipality. To be eligible for funding, events must be open to the general public to attend, held within the geographical boundaries of the Municipality and be fourteen (14) days or less in duration. The program has four funding categories: Community Celebrations, Established Community Events, Significant Anniversaries and Cultural Events & Showcases.

Community Celebrations

The Community Celebrations program supports organizations that deliver small civic events that are a maximum of five (5) days in duration, are organized primarily for the benefit and enjoyment of local residents, coincide with a community gathering or civic holiday, and are free to the public to attend. The maximum grant award through this program is $1,000. Applications are accepted annually. 

The intake for funding Community Celebrations events occurring between April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024 is CLOSED. 

Established Community Events 

The Established Community Events program supports organizations that deliver events that are a maximum of seven (7) consecutive days, organized primarily for the benefit and enjoyment of local residents and are accessible to the public with free or low cost activities. Events must have been in existence for a minimum of three (3) consecutive years and have a minimum budget of $10,000. The maximum grant award through this program is $25,000 and provides up to three (3) years of sustainable funding.

The intake for funding Established Community Events is on a three year basis and is CLOSED. The next three year funding cycle intake will open NOVEMBER 1, 2024.

Significant Anniversaries 

The Significant Anniversaries program supports organizations that deliver events organized around major quarterly (25th, 50th, 75th, 100th, etc.) anniversaries that celebrate Halifax Regional Municipality's heritage and community. Events must have a minimum budget of $7,500 and cannot be eligible for consideration under any other HRM program. The maximum grant award through this program is $10,000. Applications are accepted annually.

The  intake for funding Significant Anniversaries events occurring between April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024 is CLOSED. 

Cultural Events & Showcases 

The Cultural Events & Showcases program supports organizations that deliver arts and culture festivals that have strong cultural content, are accessible to the public with free or low cost activities and further the disciplines of literary, media, performing and visual arts. Events must have a minimum budget of $50,000 and further the principles and objectives of the HRM Cultural Plan specifically the ‘Seven Pillars of Culture: (1) Heritage, (2) the Arts, (3) Community Design, (4) Life Long Learning, (5) Diversity, (6) Leisure and Celebration and (7) Economic Development. The maximum grant award through this program is $60,000 and provides up to three (3) years of sustainable funding. 

The intake for funding Cultural Events & Showcases is on a three year basis and is CLOSED. The next three year funding cycle intake will open NOVEMBER 1, 2024.

Events that are Not Eligible for funding under the Regional Special Events Grants program: 

• sporting tournaments
• consumer shows
• tradeshows 
• meetings
• seminars
• clinics
• symposiums
• public lectures
• fundraisers
• professional training and development
• educational initiatives
• banquets
• conferences
• marketing initiatives 
• events held outside Halifax Regional Municipality 

Eligible Expenses
Grants may be applied to programing, operating, marketing and promotional expenses. No portion of the grant shall be applied to staff wages, volunteer bursaries or honoraria; or paid to members or officers of an organization’s Board of Directors either directly or indirectly.