Event Sponsorship Fund

Why do we have this fund?

Our Event Sponsorship fund is designed to support event organisers who are delivering events that attract a significant number of visitors to Hamilton and have high profile coverage.

This fund provides sponsorship over $5,000 to help fund the effective organisation and marketing of events that:

• ensure best value from our investment
• develop new long-term business opportunities for Hamilton businesses
• help establish event tourism strategies and new community opportunities.

Sponsorship funding is not intended to fund operating shortfalls.

Eligibility

We will look for the following when we consider your application:

1. emerging events that are new and warrant a kickstart sponsorship investment as they are seen to have significant long-term growth potential for the city
2. cornerstone longstanding events that have proven performance in delivering a high profile for Hamilton, which add to the city's value proposition and will help drive incremental visitation and expansion opportunity
3. significant one-off events that present an opportunity to deliver substantial benefits to Hamilton by way of profile, increased visitation, and new business opportunities.

The principal criteria and guidance for sponsorship assessment include:

• an alignment with the Hamilton City vision, profile, and broader strategies
• quantified/proven exposure benefits and distinctiveness for Hamilton nationally (and internationally) and across business at large
• evidence of target audience attendance at regional/national/international levels
• the generation of overnight visitation to the city
• a significant number of anticipated participants and future growth potential
• the use of facilities and assets in the city
• strong leverage opportunities and community support
• any existing interests and relationships that may give rise to a potential conflict of interest.

1. Application processes, guidelines and help.               

You’ll need to register on Smartygrants first, then follow the guidelines to complete your application. This will set out what you need to get together before you apply.
There are many help options available through online guides and video tutorials when you are logged into the Smartygrants platform.
You can also contact one of our team for more information. Either call our Customer Services Team on 07 838 6699 during office hours, or email jennie.lavis@hcc.govt.nz

Apply here

2. When and how you can expect to hear back from us.
Once we’ve received your application via the Smartygrants platform, our staff will take it through the application process and assess it against the fund’s criteria and guidelines.
You’ll be notified of the decision by 12 May 2026. 

Please note: Any data submitted as part of a Hamilton City Council funding application is available to Hamilton City Council. It is a cloud based tool that meets all requirements for information security and privacy