Fundraising & government grants for NZ trusts.
A practical map of the funding landscape in Aotearoa — where the money comes from, who to approach, and how to write applications that succeed.
Four sustainable income streams.
Donations & koha
Individual giving via one-off or regular donations. Donee status means donors get a 33.33% tax credit up to their taxable income.
Corporate partnerships
Sponsorships, workplace giving programmes, and skills-based volunteering from NZ businesses.
Community fundraising
Events, quiz nights, cultural festivals, crowdfunding via Givealittle or Boosted.
Membership fees
Where the deed provides for members, annual subscriptions provide steady baseline funding.
Where to apply.
New Zealand has one of the most accessible community funding ecosystems in the world. These are the main doors to knock on.
Six steps to a strong grant application.
- 1
Confirm you're a registered charity with donee status (IRD).
- 2
Read the funder's priorities — align your project to their outcomes.
- 3
Prepare a clear project plan: purpose, community need, activities, timeline, budget.
- 4
Gather supporting documents: trust deed, latest annual return, financial statements, quotes.
- 5
Submit through the funder's online portal before the deadline. Late applications are rarely accepted.
- 6
If successful, meet reporting obligations. If declined, request feedback and reapply next round.
Free help along the way.
- Community Networks Aotearoa — capability building and funding advice
- Volunteering New Zealand — recruit and manage volunteers
- Hui E! Community Aotearoa — advocacy for the community sector
- Philanthropy New Zealand — directory of grant-making trusts
- Your local council's community advisor — free one-on-one support
Fund a learner today.
Your donation directly funds language classes and job-market training for someone who needs it.
Donate to SIRIS APPS