New Zealand has a rich and distributed ecosystem of community grant funding — from nationwide gaming trusts to local community foundations, from central government to regional councils. For community organisations, understanding where to look and how to apply is the first step to accessing this support. This guide covers the major sources of community grants in New Zealand.
New Zealand's gaming machine trusts — funded by revenue from pokie machines — are the most significant source of community grants in the country, distributing hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
How gaming trusts work: The Gambling Act 2003 requires gaming machine operators to distribute profits to community purposes. Class 4 gaming trusts receive these proceeds and distribute them as grants to community organisations.
Major gaming trusts:
- New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT): One of the largest; funds sport, recreation, arts, community, health, and education nationwide
- The Lion Foundation: Significant funder of sport, recreation, and community organisations
- Pub Charity: Community sport and recreation funder
- Pelorus Trust: Sport and community grants
- Grassroots Trust: Sport, recreation, and community
- The Trusts Community Foundation: Auckland-focused
- Pub Charity: Community grants nationwide
- Foundation for Aotearoa: Community grants
Regional gaming trusts (areas with local gaming trust arrangements):
- Community Trust South: Otago and Southland
- Trust Midlands: Waikato / Bay of Plenty
- Lottery Grants Board: (separate from gaming trusts — see below)
What gaming trusts fund:
- Sport clubs (equipment, facilities, programmes)
- Arts and cultural organisations
- Community and social service organisations
- Youth development
- Health and wellbeing initiatives
- Environmental projects
Eligibility requirements: Most gaming trusts require applicants to be:
- A New Zealand incorporated society, charitable trust, or registered charity
- Non-profit (any surplus returned to community purpose)
- Delivering community benefit in the area where the trust operates
The Lottery Grants Board distributes Lotto NZ surplus proceeds to community purposes nationwide.
Three main distribution committees:
- Lottery Community: General community sector grants
- Lottery Environment and Heritage: Conservation, heritage, and environment
- Lottery Health: Health promotion and health services
Grant streams:
- National funding for projects of national significance
- Regional funding distributed through regional committees
Common grant types: Equipment, facilities, programme development, capacity building
Applications: Through the Lottery Grants Board website (communitymatters.govt.nz)
Ministry for Social Development (MSD): Funds community social services, employment, and welfare organisations. Includes:
- Social sector commissioning
- Enabling Good Lives (disability)
- Community housing
Ministry of Health: Funds health promotion, primary care, and Māori and Pasifika health organisations.
Ministry for Youth Development (MYD): Youth development grants including sport-based and mentoring programmes.
Ministry of Pacific Peoples: Grants for Pacific community development, arts, and social services.
Te Puni Kōkiri (Ministry for Māori Development): Investment in Māori communities, organisations, and initiatives.
Ministry for Culture and Heritage: Arts, heritage, and culture grants (often in partnership with Creative NZ).
Creative NZ funds arts and cultural organisations, individual artists, and community cultural activities.
Key funding streams:
- Arts projects (one-off project funding)
- Arts programmes (ongoing organisational funding)
- Quick Response grants (smaller grants, shorter timeline)
- Tōtara (Pacific arts)
- Kīwaha (Māori arts)
DIA administers several community funding streams:
- Community Development Scheme: Community-led development projects
- Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS): Community development grants through regional advisory groups (note: COGS has had changes to its structure — check current status)
Every local and regional council in New Zealand has community funding or grants programmes. These vary significantly by region but commonly include:
- Community grants: General community organisation support
- Event grants: Community events and festivals
- Heritage grants: Local heritage conservation
- Sport and recreation grants: Local sport and recreation initiatives
- Environment grants: Local conservation and environmental projects
Contact your local council directly for current funding rounds and eligibility.
New Zealand's community trusts are independent funders (often originating from electricity company privatisations) with regional focus:
- Foundation North: Auckland and Northland
- Community Trust South: Otago and Southland
- Toi Foundation: Bay of Plenty
- Acorn Foundation: Waikato
- Nikau Foundation: Wellington
- Eastern & Central Community Trust: Hawke's Bay, Gisborne, Manawatū, Whanganui
- BayTrust: Bay of Plenty
- Community Trust of Mid & South Canterbury
- Nelson Marlborough Community Trust
These trusts have their own priorities, eligibility criteria, and grant rounds — check each foundation's website.
Know your eligibility: Many gaming trusts require incorporated society status. Check your legal status before applying.
Build relationships: Gaming trusts and community foundations respond well to organisations they know. Attend community events, get to know grant officers.
Apply to multiple sources: Most community projects need multiple funders. Build a portfolio of applications across gaming trusts, Lottery, and community trusts.
Complete your acquittals: Many funders won't process new applications from organisations with outstanding acquittals. Stay on top of reporting.
Read the guidelines: Every funder has specific requirements. Read them carefully before applying.
Tahua's grants management platform helps community organisations in New Zealand track multiple grant applications, manage reporting deadlines, and build the funding portfolio that community work requires.