Funding options for schools
Click here to download a spreadsheet showing all the funders that schools can apply to in the Greater Wellington region. Separated into regions, the list identifies funders in your area and provides all the relevant details you need to know before applying. (This information was updated December 2021).
The Halberg Foundation Activity Fund provides grants to physically disabled young people (aged 5-21) to enable them to participate in sport and recreation by reducing financial barriers. The fund accepts applications made by, or on behalf of, individual physically disabled young people. Open this pdf for more information: Halberg Activity Fund flyer
Funding options for sport, active rec, play, community organisations
To apply for funding, you need to be either a registered charity, not-for-profit organisation, an incorporated society, or be affiliated to a body that is incorporated (and preferably registered with the Charities Commission).
If you haven't read it already, our Funding Landscape article provides an overview of the grant funding options in the wider Wellington region.
NB: The funders below are listed in alphabetical order:
Councils
Click here to see the Council funds
Eastern Suburbs Sports Trust
The objective of the Trust is to promote, assist, support and encourage participation and expertise in all forms of amateur sport, both competitive and recreational. To help foster and encourage the development of primarily Junior Sports located in Wellington’s Eastern Suburbs.
Applications are reviewed on a monthly basis with the Trust meeting on the first Wednesday of every month.
Eastern & Central Community Trust
Eastern & Central Community Trust provides grants and support to community organisations in the Gisborne Tairāwhiti, Hawke’s Bay, Tararua, Wairarapa, Manawatu & Horowhenua regions.
Grant applications for all their funds are welcome, as per the closing dates, see the Grand Rounds/Closing Dates. However, please note that their Trust only operates in Wairarapa and not the wider Wellington region.
Four Winds Foundation
Four Winds have a paper-based application that needs to be received at their office by 4.30pm on or before the last working day of the month. They are considered at the following month's meeting (generally held on the last week of each month).
A maximum of four applications per applicant will be considered in any 12-month period regardless of grant outcome and only 1 application per month will be considered.
Grassroots Trust Central
(Formerly the Infinity Foundation).
The Grassroot Trust Board meets every month to review grant applications. Completed grant applications must be submitted online on or before the last working day of the month prior to the Board meeting in which the application is to be considered.
Halberg Activity Fund
Activity Fund grants are provided to enable physically disabled young people to participate in sport and recreation by reducing financial barriers. The fund accepts applications made by or on behalf of individuals physically disabled young people. Activity Fund Grant Committee meetings are held on a monthly basis (excluding December).
Making contact with their Regional Advisors is advised prior to applying for the Activity Fund due to system issues.
Hutt Mana Trust
For schools, community groups and individuals in the Hutt Valley, Porirua City and Wellington North. Two funding rounds per year - March and September.
iSport Foundation
The iSPORT Foundation provides a platform that enables New Zealand youth aged 14-18 to raise the necessary funds to achieve their goals in the sport they love, no matter their circumstances. Their crowdfunding platform is a successful medium that empowers kids to connect and engage with their local community and wider network to attract donations to their campaign.
Lululemon Grants
The purpose of the Lululemon Centre for Social Impact is to disrupt inequity in wellbeing. Since 2021 the Centre has granted millions of dollars globally, investing in local community resilience, build internal capacity, and pursue impact at scale through partnerships, philanthropy, research, and advocacy. Click here for more information
Nikau Foundation
Nikau Foundation offers funding opportunities for non-profits across Wellington, Porirua, Hutt, Kapiti, and Wairarapa. Nikau Foundation has one grant round a year, so check their site in February.
NZCT
You can find all the information you need about applying to NZCT for a grant by clicking on the link below. We recommend you start on the page called 'Making a successful application'.
One Foundation
Note: You are required to register yourself and your organisation before being able to apply for a grant. Click on the Sign Up button and follow the registration process as if you are a new grantee.
Funding applications are able to be received under the current Alert Level. See their timetable for funding rounds and deadlines.
Pelorus Trust
Upcoming closing dates are posted on the left-sidebar of the website, (meetings are generally held twice each month). Applications will only be accepted through their online application process and must be received by 10 pm on the closing date. If your application is in order the application will automatically be included in the next funding round. Ensure that you submit your application well in advance of when you require the funds. They will only accept applications up to three months prior to the event. All quotes need to be current and dated within a three month period.
Pub Charity
Closing dates for applications are monthly (normally early on in the month). The Net Proceeds Committee meets in the second half of each month (except December) to consider the month's applications – you should expect to hear back by the first week of the following month.
Thomas George Macarthy Trust
For charitable and educational organisations operating in the old Wellington provincial district (defined as south of Turangi, excluding Taranaki and Hawke's Bay).
Each year the TGM Trust has 2 contestable grants. Early Childhood- Special Grant Round opens from 1 April to 30 April and the Contestable Grant Round opens from 1 May to 30 June.
The Lion Foundation
The Lion Foundation are pleased to welcome applications for funding. Before you apply please check that you are eligible and that your project matches their criteria.
The Trusts Community Foundation
Their mission is to provide funding for community groups, charities and clubs with a focus on Education, Health, Arts & Culture and Sports. See their schedule for funding rounds here. The Net Proceeds Committee’s usual practice is to approve one grant per organisation per financial year.
Trillian Trust
Trillian Trust has a venue in Wairarapa. The cut-off date for each meeting is midnight on the 10th of the month.
Trust House
The funding must go towards an event or initiative that enhances one or more of their communities: Wairarapa, Flaxmere, Pahiatua, Remutaka or Porirua.
YWCA
The E Hine Fund has been created to help young women pursue their aspirations or projects and positively impact young women and their communities through a community-friendly application process. They had their first funding round in 2022. Applications for the 2023 funding round open on Sunday 9 July and close 20 August 2023.
Lottery Grants
Lottery grant requests must align with one of the Board’s criteria:
- enhance capability and increase capacity among applicants and the community
- reduce community organisation funding gaps
- have regards to the needs and aspirations of Māori
- consider the needs of older people, Pacific people and other ethnic communities, women and youth, people with disabilities.
Grant requests should show how they will contribute to at least one of these key objectives:
- support volunteers
- enable people to help themselves
- promote community wellbeing and address disadvantage
- promote community participation, inclusion and identity.
Applicants should also show how they:
- will focus on achieving their outcomes
- will work together with others to achieve common community outcomes
- are responsive to the communities they serve.
Find out more about Lottery Grants
Wairarapa funding
See funding options available in the Wairarapa
Council funds available
Wellington City Council:
Active Transport Workplace Fund
Wellington City Council is challenging workplaces to get more staff walking, jogging and biking. Applications for this new fund can be made at any time through the Council’s online funding portal and will be considered each month. A total of $50,000 is available this financial year. Priority will be given to applications from businesses or organisations that are willing to part or match-fund the initiative or programme they are requesting funding for, and those already doing other things to encourage a shift to active transport.
Applications need to include a comprehensive project plan showing how the initiative will be monitored and evaluated. Businesses applying must also be in the Wellington City area. Applications are reviewed at the end of each month. Find out more about the fund here
See more funds from Wellington City Council here.
Porirua City Council Community Support Grants
Their Young People's Fund is open for applications now. This fund offers grant for projects or initiatives that will have a significant impact on children and young people living in Porirua.
Masterton District Council
