Homegrown - Queensland's Destination Events Fund

About Homegrown

Homegrown supports events that are locally driven and destination‑led, helping to grow visitation, extend stays and strengthen the visitor economy. The program provides funding alongside capability‑building support to help events develop, evolve and deliver stronger tourism outcomes over time.

Homegrown Funding Streams

 Two funding rounds each year:

• Round 1 2026: Opens 3 March 2026 and closes 8 April 2026 – for events held October 2026 to January 2028
• Round 2 2026: Opens August 2026 and closes October 2026 – for events held April 2027 - June 2028

Homegrown Kickstarter (New in Round 1): 

A key highlight this round is the Homegrown Destination Kickstarter Event Fund, a new funding stream designed specifically to support new and emerging events in their first year of operation. How Kickstarter works:

• Provides up to $25,000 (ex GST) per event, per year, for up to two years
• Funding must be matched or exceeded in cash by the event’s Local Council or RTO
• Focuses on helping early‑stage events test ideas, build capability and grow out‑of‑region visitation
• Funding can be used for eligible growth activities such as out‑of‑region marketing, program enhancements, event growth planning and specialist support
• Events that demonstrate strong tourism outcomes may progress to other Homegrown funding tiers in future years (not guaranteed and subject to assessment)

Destination Signature Events

Supports established regional events that consistently attract visitors from outside their local area.

• Typically for events in their third year or beyond
• Funding ranges from $15,000 to $40,000 (ex GST)
• Supports growth in visitation, destination profile and visitor spend
• Multi‑year funding available to help events strengthen and scale

Destination Significant Events

• Designed for high‑performing events with a strong track record of attracting overnight intrastate and interstate visitors.
• Typically for events in their fourth year or beyond
• Funding ranges from $40,000 to $100,000 (ex GST)
• Focuses on events that deliver substantial economic impact and strong destination branding
• Supports further growth toward major‑event scale outcomes

Destination Indigenous Events

• Supports the elevation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander‑led events and content to grow tourism outcomes and strengthen Queensland’s cultural offering.
• Can support standalone Indigenous events or Indigenous programming within existing events
• Funding ranges from $15,000 to $40,000 (ex GST)
• Focuses on growing visitation, cultural storytelling and economic opportunities for Indigenous businesses

RESOURCES:
Funding Guidelines, application links and FAQs - can be found on the TEQ website.

Application links can be found through SmartyGrants online.

Homegrown Q&A Sessions - the Homegrown team will be hosting 15-minute sessions on each Tuesday and Friday of the Round opening period to answer any questions you or your events might have. Bookings for these sessions can be made via this link.