Schools in New Zealand — both state and state-integrated schools — receive core funding from the Ministry of Education through the Operations Grant and other regular payments. But this core funding rarely stretches to everything a school wants to do: enrichment programmes, special equipment, school camp subsidies, sports resources, cultural programmes, and community projects. Grant funding fills these gaps, and knowing where to look and how to apply makes a real difference.
The Ministry of Education administers numerous funds that schools can apply to:
Kāhui Ako (Communities of Learning) funding
Kāhui Ako are groups of schools — typically 10 to 20 schools — working collaboratively to raise student achievement. Schools within a Kāhui Ako receive additional funding for collaborative teaching positions, professional development, and shared resources. Being part of a Kāhui Ako opens significant additional funding streams.
Teacher professional development
The Ministry funds professional development for teachers in priority areas — including mathematics, literacy, and te reo Māori. Schools apply through their regional Ministry office for participation in funded professional development programmes.
Learning Support
Schools with students with high learning support needs can apply for additional resource teacher learning and behaviour (RTLB) support, specialist teacher support, and additional staffing. The Learning Support Coordinator role (funded for most schools) helps navigate these systems.
Digital technology resources
The Ministry has funded digital devices and connectivity infrastructure for schools — particularly under the Connected Learning Advisory programmes. Schools in remote areas or with high socioeconomic needs have had priority access.
School infrastructure
Capital projects — new buildings, significant renovations — are funded through the Ministry's Capital Works programme. Schools identify needs through their property planning processes; significant projects require Ministry approval and project management.
Gaming trusts — Pub Charity, Lion Foundation, Grassroots Trust, The True Colours Trust, and others — are major funders of school projects across New Zealand. Gaming trust grants for schools typically fund:
How to apply: Each gaming trust has its own online application system. Apply to the trust that has the most pokies venue revenue from your district — the trusts are required to return a portion of gaming revenue to the communities it comes from. The school board (through the principal or a delegated staff member) typically makes applications.
What works in applications: Be specific about what you're buying and how it benefits students. Trusts want to see that the school has a genuine need and that the resource will be well-used. Photos of your current equipment and a clear description of how the new resource will be used both help.
Regional community foundations and charitable trusts fund school and education projects in their geographic area:
Foundation North: funds education projects in Auckland and Northland.
Wellington Community Trust: funds education and youth projects in the Wellington region.
Otago Community Trust: funds education projects in Otago.
Community trusts in other regions: Canterbury Community Trust, Waikato Community Foundation, Bay of Plenty Community Foundation, and others all have education funding streams.
For community trust applications, connecting the school's project to the trust's specific priorities is important — many trusts have particular interest in equity (reaching students who face disadvantage), Māori and Pacific student achievement, or community-school connections.
Several New Zealand philanthropic trusts specifically fund education:
The Tindall Foundation: significant investment in education, particularly for disadvantaged students.
Sir John Logan Campbell Residuary Estate: education grants in Auckland.
Lion Foundation: education and youth development projects.
Pub Charity: education projects alongside sport and recreation.
Lottery Grants Board (Lottery Community): the Lottery Community fund (administered by Creative New Zealand, Sport NZ, and the New Zealand Film Commission) has a general community grants stream that can include education projects.
Arts in schools: Creative New Zealand's Community Access Scheme funds projects that bring arts to schools, particularly in communities with less access to arts education. Artist residencies in schools, visiting performers, and arts integration programmes are fundable.
Sport and physical activity: Sport NZ funds physical activity in schools through the Active Schools programme. Individual schools access Active Schools funding through their regional sport and recreation trust.
Māori language and culture: Te Māngai Pāho (the Māori Broadcasting Funding Agency) funds kura kaupapa Māori and Māori language programmes. The Māori Language Commission also has funding streams for te reo Māori programmes.
Environmental education: Department of Conservation and some regional councils fund school environmental education programmes — particularly programmes that involve students in conservation projects.
Know your board's delegations: Grant applications typically require board authority. Know whether the principal has delegated authority to apply, or whether board approval is needed. For larger grants, board approval is usually required.
Keep records: Schools should keep a record of grants applied for, grants received, grant conditions, and reporting dates. A simple spreadsheet works for most schools; larger schools may benefit from dedicated grant tracking.
Plan ahead: Gaming trust applications typically take 4-8 weeks; larger foundation grants can take 3-6 months. Plan your timing so you have funding before you need to purchase.
Write for a non-expert audience: Grant assessors aren't always educators. Write your application in plain language — describe the problem you're solving and the impact on students clearly and simply.
Be honest about co-funding: Most funders expect schools to contribute something — even a small cash amount or in-kind contribution (staff time, parent volunteer hours) demonstrates commitment and strengthens applications.
Report as required: If a grant has reporting requirements, meet them. Good reporting builds the relationship with the funder and makes future applications stronger.
PTAs often support schools' grant applications or run their own fundraising. Some PTAs are registered charities, enabling them to receive grants that schools — as Crown entities — may not be eligible for. It's worth checking with your regional Community Trusts whether the PTA or the Board of Trustees should be the applicant, as eligibility sometimes differs.
Tahua's grants management platform is used by education funders and school networks to manage grant applications and track outcomes — with streamlined application management, deadline tracking, and the reporting tools that help funders and schools account for education investment.