event
funding
The Central Nova Scotia Tourism Development Society supports events that attract visitors, generate overnight stays, and strengthen our tourism economy. From festivals and tournaments to conferences and major events, our Event Funding Program helps organizers deliver experiences that grow Central Nova Scotia as a destination.
At a Glance
Types of Events
Funding Levels
Events are grouped into four funding categories based on their budget, scale, and tourism impact. This allows us to support initiatives from smaller, emerging events to large-scale festivals and major hosted opportunities. You should apply based on your total event budget, with higher funding levels available for events that attract more visitors and generate greater economic impact. Funding is intended to leverage other revenue sources and is not meant to be the sole source of event financing. When applying for funding, apply based on your total anticipated event budget.
Tier 1
Pilot Events
Event budget:
$5,000 to $25,000
Funding:
Up to 20% of event budget,
to a maximum of $5,000
Smaller or early-stage events testing or growing tourism impact.
Tier 2
Standard Events
Event budget:
$25,001 to $125,000
Funding:
Up to 20% of event budget,
to a maximum of $25,000
Established events with regional or multi-day draw.
Tier 3
Major Events
Event budget:
$125,000 - $500,000+
Funding:
Up to 20% of event budget,
to a maximum of $50,000
Major festivals, tournaments, and conferences attracting significant visitation.
Tier 4
Strategic Hosting Opportunities
Flexible funding
for major bids and strategic hosting opportunities, assessed case by case.
Large-scale events secured through a bid or requiring host fees.
Who Can Apply
Applicants must:
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Be a non-profit organization, charity, or incorporated association
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Have the capacity to deliver the event
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Be in good financial standing
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Have completed reporting for any previously funded CNSTDS events
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Apply before the event takes place and before funds are committed
Event Eligibility
To be eligible, events must:
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Take place in Colchester County, Truro, Millbrook First Nation, or Stewiacke, or clearly demonstrate significant tourism impact in the region
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Occur in the upcoming fiscal year (April 1 - March 31) for Fall intake period, or between September 1 - March 31 for Spring intake period.
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Demonstrate tourism impact, including attracting visitors from outside the region
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Include a marketing plan targeting out-of-region audiences
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Provide a balanced and realistic event budget
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Include a clear risk management and safety plan
Ineligible Events
We do not fund:
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Private functions such as weddings, banquets, and reunions
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Fundraising events or galas without tourism benefit
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Grassroots local-only events with a total budget under $5,000
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Religious or political gatherings
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Retroactive funding requests
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Events that present undue reputational, legal, or safety risk
Eligible Expenses
The CNSTDS reserves the right to determine which cost categories are eligible for funding on a case-by-case basis, and may limit, prioritize, reallocate, or decline funding for specific expenses based on event scale, tourism impact, strategic alignment, and overall value to the destination.
Application Deadlines
Primary Intake
Nov 1 to Nov 30
For events occurring between April 1 and March 31
Secondary Intake
May 1 to May 31
For events occurring between September 1 and March 31, subject to remaining funds
Strategic Hosting Opportunities
Accepted year-round due to time-sensitive bid requirements
NOTE: the initial intake period for this program is May 1 - May 29, 2026, for events From July 1, 2026 - March 31, 2027. The Event Investment Committee will make every effort to meet tight deadlines to begin supporting tourism-facing events immediately.
How Events Are Evaluated
30%
Tourism Impact.
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Number of out-of-region attendees
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Estimated room nights
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Multi-day programming
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Alignment with off-peak or shoulder seasons
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Ability to grow visitation over time
20%
Economic Impact.
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Visitor spending on accommodations, food, retail, and services
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Use of local suppliers and vendors
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Overall contribution to the local economy
20%
Community Benefit & Legacy.
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Cultural, sport, or tourism development benefits
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Community engagement and partnerships
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Accessibility and inclusivity
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Plans to reinvest any surplus into future event growth or tourism outcomes
15%
Marketing & Visibility.
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Marketing plan targeting out-of-region audiences
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Use of digital, media, and promotional channels
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Partnerships or media opportunities
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Overall reach and visibility of the event
15%
Organizational Capacity & Risk Management.
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Experience and track record of the organization
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Staff and volunteer capacity
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Operational and financial readiness
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Risk management planning (weather, safety, financial, etc.)
Before You Apply
To ensure you are prepared for the full application, please ensure you have the following information:
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Event overview and objectives
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Event schedule
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Venue confirmation
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Tourism impact projections
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Marketing and promotion plan
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Risk management and safety plan
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Full event budget
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Letters of support for Tier 3 and Tier 4 events
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Bid documents, if applicable
If Your Application is Approved
Successful applicants must:
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Sign a funding agreement before any funds are released
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Acknowledge CNSTDS support in event marketing and communications
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Submit a post-event report within 60 days of the event end date
Post-event reporting includes attendance, visitor estimates, room nights where applicable, financial reconciliation, and marketing results.
FAQ
Ready to Apply?
We recommend reviewing the full event investment policy prior to completing an application. To ensure eligibility, you will first be asked to complete an online intake form. After submission, the full application form will be emailed to you for completion within 2 business days.