Foundation North is New Zealand's largest grant-making foundation, managing over $1 billion in assets and distributing approximately $40-50 million annually to organisations across Auckland and Northland. Understanding how Foundation North operates, what it funds, and how to approach applications is valuable for any organisation seeking funding in these regions.
Foundation North was established in 1988 following the sale of Trust Bank Auckland to ASB Bank. Its endowment — now over $1 billion — funds grants that benefit the Auckland and Northland regions.
Foundation North is different from many trusts in that it operates as a perpetual endowment — it doesn't spend down its capital but uses investment returns to fund grants. This enables long-term, sustained investment in the region.
Geographic scope
Foundation North exclusively funds organisations and projects that benefit people in the Auckland and Northland regions. Organisations based elsewhere are not eligible, regardless of the merits of their work.
Foundation North's strategic investments are organised around long-term outcomes for the Auckland and Northland regions. Current strategic priorities have included:
Thriving communities: social cohesion, community resilience, cultural identity, and belonging.
Strong young people: child and youth development, education, and the conditions for young people to thrive.
Good health and wellbeing: mental health, physical health, healthy ageing, and the social determinants of health.
Environmental sustainability: conservation, biodiversity, freshwater, and climate resilience.
Māori wellbeing: kaupapa Māori initiatives, rangatiratanga, and Māori community development.
Pacific community development: Pacific community wellbeing, identity, and economic development.
Foundation North's stated priorities evolve — check their website for current strategic focus areas before applying.
Open Grants
Foundation North's most accessible funding — competitive grants open to eligible organisations. Open Grants typically range from small amounts to $100,000+. Applications are submitted online and assessed by Foundation North staff and sometimes external reviewers.
Responsive and Catalyst Grants
Foundation North has funding streams designed for specific purposes:
- Responsive grants for organisational capacity building
- Catalyst grants for systemic change and innovation
- Specific funds with particular eligibility criteria
Proactive funding
Foundation North also makes proactive (invited) investments — particularly for large-scale, long-term initiatives where Foundation North takes a leadership role. These are not accessible through open application.
Partnership funding
Foundation North occasionally co-funds major initiatives with government, other foundations, and the private sector. Partnership funding is typically structured through specific agreements rather than standard grant rounds.
Who can apply?
Foundation North grants are available to:
- Registered charities with activities in Auckland and Northland
- Incorporated societies with activities in Auckland and Northland
- Māori incorporation or trust structures
- Some government agencies (for specific purposes)
Commercial organisations, individuals, and organisations outside the Auckland-Northland region are generally not eligible.
What is funded?
Foundation North funds:
- Programmes and services that benefit communities
- Capacity building and organisational development
- Capital projects (facilities, equipment) in some cases
- Research and evaluation
- Advocacy and policy work (in some strategic areas)
Foundation North does not typically fund:
- General appeals or overseas projects
- Retrospective costs
- Debt repayment
- Government-funded core services
- Activities that should be funded by government
Before you apply
Foundation North recommends talking to a Programme Manager before submitting a formal application — particularly for significant grants. This preliminary conversation helps determine fit, avoids wasted effort on ineligible applications, and provides guidance on how to strengthen the application.
EOI (Expression of Interest)
For most grants above a certain threshold, Foundation North uses an EOI process. You submit a brief expression of interest; if Foundation North thinks there's a good fit, you're invited to submit a full application.
Full application
Full applications are submitted online through Foundation North's grants portal. Applications typically require:
- Organisation information and financial accounts
- Description of the project or programme
- Theory of change / logic model
- Budget and co-funding information
- Evidence of need and organisational capacity
- Outcome measurement approach
Assessment
Applications are assessed by Foundation North programme managers — who have deep knowledge of the sectors they cover and the Auckland and Northland community context. Some applications go to assessment panels or the Board.
Timing
Foundation North accepts applications on a rolling basis for most programmes. Processing time varies — allow 2-4 months from application to decision for most grants.
Talk to a programme manager first: Foundation North actively encourages preliminary conversations. These conversations surface fit issues early and help you understand what the foundation is actually interested in funding — which is more nuanced than the published priorities.
Connect to strategic priorities: applications that clearly connect to Foundation North's current strategic priorities are more competitive. Understand the foundation's current thinking, not just the formal priority areas.
Evidence of need: Foundation North wants to see genuine evidence of community need — not just assertion. Community needs assessments, data, and community voice all strengthen the case.
Theory of change: articulate clearly how your programme or project creates change — not just what activities you do, but how those activities lead to the outcomes you're claiming.
Outcome measurement: Foundation North expects grantees to measure and report outcomes. Demonstrate that you have a credible outcome measurement approach.
Organisational strength: Foundation North assesses organisational capability as well as project quality. Evidence of strong governance, financial management, and delivery track record strengthens applications.
Co-funding: Foundation North generally prefers to be one of multiple funders, not the sole funder. Show what co-funding you have or are seeking.
Foundation North grantees report on their funded work — typically mid-term progress reports and final acquittal reports. Foundation North uses these reports to monitor outcomes and to assess future applications.
Strong reporting — honest about what worked and what didn't, with quantitative and qualitative evidence — builds the relationship with Foundation North and positions the organisation well for future applications.
Tahua's grants management platform helps Auckland and Northland organisations manage their Foundation North applications and grants alongside their other funding relationships — with application tracking, deadline management, outcome measurement, and the reporting tools that support effective grants management across multiple funders.