Culture & Events Grants

The Culture and Events division of the municipality administers two different funding programs; the Marketing Levy Special Events Grant program and the Regional Special Events Grants program. These programs are intended to support events that foster good community relations, supports culture, develops the local economy and tourism industry, and enriches the quality of life of all residents and visitors.

Marketing Levy Special Events Reserve Grant Program

The Marketing Levy Special Events Reserve grant program is governed by the Marketing Levy Special Event Reserve (MLSER) Administration Order Number 2014-020-GOV. The MLSER program provides financial support to large scale special events in Halifax Regional Municipality that support and promote tourism and business development. The program has four established funding sectors; Signature Events, Distinguished Events, Emerging New Events, and Major Hosting Events.  Funding for this program is generated from the 2% hotel tax that applies to overnight sleeping establishments with twenty (20) rooms or more. 

Signature Events 

This program supports large, annual tourism events that have a minimum budget of $100,000 and have been in existence for a minimum of five consecutive years. The maximum grant award through this program is 10% of the previous year's budget. As well, additional funding up to a maximum of 10% of the previous year’s total grant amount may be considered to support additional programming for an anniversary (quarter century (25) intervals) of the event. Events in this program are scored on number of room nights generated, economic impacts and media exposure. There is no restriction for annual funding from this program. Application intake for this program is on a three year basis and is currently CLOSED. Applications will be accepted in the fall of 2021.

Distinguished Events

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

The first application intake DEADLINE for funding events occurring between April 1, 2021 to September 30, 2021 is FEBRUARY 28, 2021. The second application intake DEADLINE for events occurring between October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022 is MAY 31, 2021.

Distinguished Events 2021/22 Application 1st Intake 

Emerging New Events

This program supports new/emerging events 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, 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 and/or off season” (November to April). Preference will be given to organizations that have secured funding from other level/s of government and corporate sponsorship.

The first application intake DEADLINE for funding events occurring between April 1, 2021 to September 30, 2021 is FEBRUARY 28, 2021. The second application intake DEADLINE for events occurring between October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022 is MAY 31, 2021.

Emerging New Events 2021/22 Application 1st Intake

Major Hosting Events

This 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
• conferences
• private events
• tradeshows
• marketing initiatives 
• seminars
• clinics
• symposiums
• banquets
• fundraising events 
• political events
• events that occur before April 1st of the respective submission year

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.

Applications: 

Major Hosting Events – Contact Shari Dillman at dillmas@halifax.ca. 

Regional Special Event Grants 

The Regional Special Event Grants program is governed by the Regional Special Events Grants Administrative Order Number 2014-021-GOV.  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 Municipality and be fourteen (14) days or less in duration.

Community Celebrations

This program supports organizations that deliver small civic events that are a maximum of five (5) days in length, 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 Community Celebrations Program will delay the opening of the program until August 1 , 2021.  This is due to the public health restrictions on in person gatherings and the administrative strain on volunteers and not for profit organizations to accommodate event occurrences under evolving conditions.

Community Celebration 2021/22 Application - on hold

Established Community Festivals 

This program supports organizations that deliver events that are a maximum of seven (7) days in length, are 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. Application intake for this program is on a three year basis and is currently CLOSED. Applications will be accepted in the fall of 2021.

Significant Anniversaries

This program supports organizations that deliver events organized around major quarterly (25, 50, 75, etc.) anniversaries that celebrate Halifax Regional Municipality's heritage and community. Events must have a minimum budget of $5,000 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. Interested organizations for this program are to contact Shari Dillman at dillmas@halifax.ca. 

Cultural Events & Showcases 

This 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. Application intake for this program is on a three year basis and is currently CLOSED. Applications will be accepted in the fall of 2021.

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

• sporting tournaments
• consumer shows
• conferences
• private events
• tradeshows 
• seminars
• clinics
• symposiums
• banquets
• marketing initiatives 
• fundraising events
• political events
• events receiving funding from other HRM sources
• events that occur before April 1st of the respective submission year 

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.

Municipal contact:

Shari Dillman

dillmas@halifax.ca