Groups share in Community Partnerships Grant funding

• Funding supports sports, culture, and community connection events
• Grants part of Council’s Community Partnerships stream
• Additional funding open for Cairns' 150th anniversary events

Local events get major boost from community grants

Sporting events, cultural celebrations, and community festivals across the Cairns region will receive more than $335,000 in Council funding through the Community Partnerships Grant stream.

The program supports initiatives that enrich community life, celebrate cultural diversity, and strengthen social connections. This round will fund 24 local organisations delivering a wide range of events.

Funded events and organisations

• AFL Cape York House Foundation Ltd – Under 17 AFL Pacific Island Classic ($15,000)
• Cairns BMX Club Inc – 2025 AusCycling BMX Racing State Series Rounds 7 & 8 ($13,000)
• Cairns Bongo Group Inc – Cairns Durga Puja 2025 ($7,500)
• Cairns Chieftains GAA Inc – Gaelic Football & Hurling Regional Games ($11,009)
• Cairns Christian Ministers Network Inc – Joy to the World Carols & Fireworks ($20,000)
• Cairns Hindu Samaj Inc – Ganeshotsav ($7,500)
• Cairns Mudcrabs Masters Swimming Club Inc – Short Course Swim Meet ($3,000)
• Cairns Multicultural Committee – CARMA Festival and Youth Peace Finale ($20,000)
• Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good (DIYDG) – Cairns NAIDOC Friday in the Park ($25,000)
• Far North Flames Netball – Netball QLD Ruby North Series ($25,000)
• FNQ Thai Cultural Community Inc – Thai Cultural Loy Krathong Festival ($20,000)
• Fulfilling Dreams Inc – PLAYGRND Showdown FIBA 3x3 Quest Tour ($10,500)
• German-Austrian-Swiss Association FNQ – Día de Muertos ($7,500)
• GOPIO Cairns Inc – Cairns Indian Festival 2025 ($16,500)
• Machans Beach Community Association – Moon over Machans ($5,000)
• Mission Australia – South Side Celebration ($5,000)
• PNG & Wantoks Association Cairns – PNG 50th Independence Family and Cultural Day ($20,000)
• Softball Queensland Inc – 2025 U18 Women’s Softball Championships ($10,000)
• Stratford Dolphins Football Club Inc – Barron River Foodfest ($10,000)
• The Japanese Society of Cairns Inc – Japan Bon Dance Festival 2025 ($20,000)
• TSCY Peninsula Indigenous Futsal Assoc. Ltd – NAIDOC 2025 Bama Futsal Cup ($8,000)
• UMI Arts Limited – Big Talk One Fire Cultural Festival ($25,000)
• Young Animal Protection Society Inc – FNQ Dogs Day Out ($13,000)
• Nga Matawaka Inc – FNQ NZ Cultural Festival – Matariki ($20,000)

All grants listed above are ex-GST.

Special grant round now open for Cairns 150 Celebrations

A dedicated grant round is open to support events marking Cairns’ 150th anniversary in 2026. Grants of up to $25,000 are available for activities reflecting the region’s diversity and history.

Applications close on 15 August 2025.