Community foundations are permanent, locally rooted philanthropic organisations that connect donors with community needs. Unlike national foundations, community foundations are focused on a specific place — a city, region, or province — and their grantmaking reflects local priorities and relationships. New Zealand's community foundation sector has grown significantly over the past two decades, with foundations now covering most major population centres. Understanding the community foundation landscape is essential for both organisations seeking local grant funding and donors wanting their giving to support their community.
What community foundations do
How community foundations work
New Zealand's community foundations
Note: Some of these operate as community trusts (established through bank privatisation proceeds) rather than community foundations, but perform similar functions.
Scale and focus
Auckland Foundation manages a substantial and growing philanthropic endowment for Auckland:
- Grantmaking across Auckland's diverse communities
- Donor advised funds for Auckland philanthropists
- Community leadership and knowledge
- Specific funds for education, arts, environment, and social services
Priorities
How to engage
Applications typically by EOI (Expression of Interest) or invited. Strong local presence and Auckland focus required.
Scale and focus
Wellington Community Trust is one of the most significant philanthropic funders in the Wellington region:
- Created from Community Finance credit union proceeds
- Wide-ranging grantmaking across Wellington communities
- Major funder of arts, culture, and community development in Wellington
Priorities
One of the largest community trusts outside Auckland, holding significant assets from the privatisation of Southland Building Society:
- Major regional funder for Southland
- Broad community focus
- Significant arts, environment, social services, and sport funding
Community wellbeing
Arts and culture
Environment
Education
Sport and recreation
Community building
Research the foundation
Each community foundation has distinct priorities, processes, and geographic focus. Understanding the specific foundation's strategy before applying is essential.
Check geographic eligibility
Community foundations fund within their geographic region — applications from organisations outside the region (or for work outside the region) are typically ineligible.
Expression of Interest
Many community foundations use an EOI process before full applications. EOIs allow foundations to screen applications early and give potential applicants feedback.
Local relationships
Community foundations value local knowledge and relationships. Applicants with existing relationships with foundation staff, board members, or previous grant recipients are better positioned.
Alignment with strategy
Community foundations often have specific strategic priorities. Applications that align clearly with current strategy are stronger than those making a generic case.
Community foundations offer donor advised funds (DAFs) for philanthropists:
- Donor contributes to the DAF and gets immediate tax benefit
- DAF invested and grown by the foundation
- Donor recommends grants from the DAF over time
- Useful for philanthropists who want to give regularly but plan giving carefully
Nonprofits benefit from building relationships with DAF donors — community foundation staff can often facilitate introductions.
Tahua's grants management platform supports community foundations in New Zealand — with programme tracking, grantee relationship management, community impact measurement, and the reporting tools that help community foundations demonstrate the local impact of their philanthropic investment.