Community Support March 2026

Kia ora koutou, 

Thank you for your interest in applying for funding from this Community Support programme funding round.  Community Support grants are larger grants aimed at providing operational and other forms of support to established organisations that have previously been granted funds by the Trust.   The Trust approves fewer Community Support grants, and these applications undergo a much more stringent review process to ensure alignment with the Trust's aims and priorities.  Funding history and capacity to deliver are critical factors in the assessment process.

Community Support grants require an organisation to have received and successfully acquitted for a Quick Response grant first. If this is your first application to the Trust, or if you are unsure whether this is the appropriate round for your organisation, please contact us to discuss.

Our other grants round, Quick Response is for grants up to $20,000.  The focus is on local smaller organisations and first-time applicants. These grants are designed to provide a ‘quick response’ to a range of community organisations, to provide modest operational support and/or funding to get a project started or purchase equipment etc.  

The majority of the Trust's grants are distributed under Quick Response grants.  The assessment of applications is less stringent and has a more flexible consideration process than the Community Support Grants.  With Quick Response applications wherever possible we try to contribute and support local organisations that are active in their communities.

If you think you meet the requirements and wish to submit a Community Support application, please continue otherwise go to a Quick Response round.  There are 5 rounds a year closing at the end of February, April, June, August and October.  Grant decisions are made 12 weeks after closing dates. 

Our grants programmes are guided by the Trust's current Community Investment Strategy. 

In assessing applications priority will be given to organisations whose objectives and outcomes are aligned with and can contribute to the aims, the pillars/pou of the Trust. Please read the priorities outlined in our 2025 - 2028 Community Investment Strategy.

This application round closes at 6pm on Tuesday 31st of March 2026.  Please see our website for details on the closing dates for our other grant rounds.

Lastly, please ensure you click the submit button when complete – if you don't receive an acknowledgement email your application has not been submitted.

The Trust has recently approved a process where multi-year funding will be available to approved and selected Community Support (CS) applicants that indicate an interest and meet the criteria.

Criteria (in addition to standard grant criteria)

• The organisation has received consistent CS grants in the previous three years at levels above $30,000 and there been no concerns regarding operation and/or accountability.
• It is anticipated that grant levels will typically be for larger grants, ie, $40,000 plus.
• The Trust will have confidence in these organisations as they would have provided external annual financial audit reports, annual reports and accounted for funds, with no significant issues.
• The Trust is convinced that a multi-year grant for a consistent purpose will greatly assist the organisation in its development and operation.

Further information and the opportunity to express an interest is in the application form in the budget section. 

Please note: Not all applicants that meet the criteria will be selected to receive a multi-year grant, especially in this the first year. 

Don't hesitate to contact us if you have queries regarding multi-year grants.