The New Zealand Lotteries Commission distributes a significant portion of lottery profits to community organisations across New Zealand. These grants — distributed through a network of distribution committees — fund an enormous range of community activities: arts and culture, sport and recreation, community facilities, environment, health, and more. Understanding how the Lottery grant system works is essential for New Zealand community organisations seeking funding.
Lotteries Commission profits (from Lotto, Big Wednesday, Instant Kiwi, and other games) are directed to the Community Trust and to the Lottery Grants Board. The Lottery Grants Board distributes funds through regional and national distribution committees, each focused on a specific area.
Not a single fund
The Lottery grants system is not a single fund with a single application. It is a collection of separate distribution committees, each with its own focus area, eligibility criteria, and grant round schedule. Community organisations need to identify the right committee(s) for their project and apply to the relevant one(s).
Distribution committees
Key distribution committees include:
Regional committees distribute to specific regions; national committees for national-level projects.
Registered charities and incorporated societies
Most Lottery grants require applicants to be registered as a charity with Charities Services, or to be an incorporated society. The organisation must be established for charitable, benevolent, philanthropic, or cultural purposes and not for the private profit of any individual.
For the benefit of New Zealand
The project or activity must benefit New Zealand — the grants are not for overseas work.
Not a substitute for government
Lottery grants are intended to supplement, not replace, government funding. Projects that are primarily the responsibility of government to fund — such as core school operations or hospital services — are generally not eligible.
Lottery grants fund a broad range of community activities:
Community facilities and equipment
New community rooms, disability-accessible modifications, kitchen upgrades for community halls, sports equipment, vehicles for community organisations — capital items that enable community activity.
Community programmes and services
Community events, social services, recreation programmes, arts activities, environmental restoration projects — the activities that make communities stronger.
Salaries and operational costs
Some committees fund salaries and operational costs for community programmes; others focus on project or capital costs. Check the specific committee's guidelines.
Research and education
Some committees fund community research, educational programmes, and capacity building for community organisations.
Online applications
Lottery grant applications are submitted online through the Communitymatters system (managed by Department of Internal Affairs). Register your organisation and complete the application for the relevant committee.
Application checklist
Typical requirements include:
- Organisation details and registration
- Project description and community need
- Budget and financial information
- Confirmation of other funding sources
- Evidence of support (committee minutes, community consultation)
- Recent financial statements
Meeting deadlines
Each distribution committee has specific meeting dates and application deadlines — typically six to eight weeks before the committee meets. Missing the deadline means waiting for the next meeting, which may be months away.
Genuine community benefit
Lottery grant assessors look for genuine, demonstrable community benefit. Applications that clearly articulate who benefits, how significantly, and why the project matters to the community are more successful than generic project descriptions.
Match your project to the right committee
Applying to the wrong committee wastes effort and delays funding. If your project has elements that span multiple committees — a community facility with a health focus, for example — consider which committee is the best fit, or whether multiple applications are appropriate.
Be specific about community need
Don't assume assessors know why your project matters. Demonstrate the need with specific data — survey results, service statistics, community consultation evidence.
Get the budget right
Realistic, itemised budgets that clearly explain each cost are more credible than vague estimates. Get quotes for significant capital items; use actual salary rates.
Show organisational capacity
Lottery grant assessors need confidence that your organisation can deliver the project. Include information about your track record, governance, and financial management.
Don't overstate
Don't claim more community benefit than the evidence supports. Assessors see many applications and can identify overclaiming. Honest, realistic claims are more credible.
Tahua's grants management platform helps New Zealand community organisations manage their Lottery grant applications, track funding relationships, and report on grant outcomes — simplifying the administrative work so organisations can focus on their communities.