Deputy Premier John Barilaro announced the grants, funded from the government's drought stimulus package, on Sunday after a dozen shows were cancelled.

Mr Barilaro hoped the grants, open to all regional NSW shows, would help organisers for the remainder of the year's events.

"In drought regions local businesses are struggling to find the money they'd usually provide for sponsorships," he said in a statement.

"A morale boost and the additional economic stimulus provided by shows is what our regional communities need right now and we will be working with show organisers to get money out the door as quickly as possible to avoid further cancellations."

Orange Show Society president Peter Naylor said every bit would help, particularly with maintenance at the showground.

"It's worth a go to see what we would get - we don't know where our money is going to come from because there's not a lot of money around," he said.

However, he said $5000 was a small amount and would do little to offset the impacts of the drought.

"We would find a place to put it but it won't do much - it would be nice to see a bit more," he said.

"It might paint a wall or fix a leak."

Mr Naylor said another application was with the federal government for $310,000 to add toilets to the Naylor Pavilion and more information had been requested for Orange Show's past three years of income.

The toilets are hoped to boost the number of organisations hiring the facility, which currently rely on toilets 200 metres away at the old pavilions.

Mr Naylor believed similar larger grants for targeted projects would work better.

Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said organisers could use the $5000 to employ contractors, hire equipment or cover other show-related expenses.

Applications can be made via the Regional Growth Fund website.