Funding Assistance

Local and National Funders 

Below is a list of funders in the Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes Area who might be able to contribute to your cause. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list but can help as a starting point.

 

Catalytic Foundation
The Catalytic Foundation provides financial grants to charities that do exceptional work in the community.  The Catalytic Community Grants fund small to medium-sized, community-based organisations that do not have large in-house marketing or fundraising resources and are providing direct social services to whanau/families and individuals.
catalytic.org.nz/community_grants

Central Otago District Council
Supports a number of initiatives each year through community grants. The grant funds are allocated to initiatives that meet identified community needs and strengthen Central Otago communities.
codc.govt.nz/services/funding-grants

Central Lakes Trust
Central Lakes Trust provides funding to charitable causes in the Central Lakes region.  Their funding focuses on projects and programmes that support lifelong learning, community wellbeing, community recreation, arts and culture, and protect and enhance our environment and heritage.
clt.net.nz

Community Trust South
Fund people and ideas that benefit communities in Southland, Queenstown, Glenorchy, Arrowtown, Tapanui and Heriot areas.
communitytrustsouth.nz

Creative New Zealand 
Supports projects and initiatives in the arts and creative sectors 
creativenz.govt.nz/funding-and-support

Department of Internal Affairs
Hāpai Hapori Community Operations offer a range of funding streams, including Lottery, Crown and Trust grants. Some of the grants are are open at all times, while others are offered at set dates. Make sure to check out their funding calendar. 
communitymatters.govt.nz

Family Trusts 
There are local family trusts that might be able to help fund your organisation, see a list here.

Impact 100 Wakatipu
Impact100 Wakatipu awards grants to nonprofits in our community in the focus areas of Arts & Culture, Education, Family, Health & Wellness, and Environment. Applicants may apply for grant funding of at least $100,000 in a focus area that supports their mission, programs, or services.
impact100wakatipu.org/grants

Love Queenstown/Love Wānaka
Each year, Love Queenstown/ Love Wānaka allocate funds to local grassroots organisations that work in the environmental sector. Funding will be allocated to registered charitable entities that work within the Queenstown and Wānaka region in the climate, conservation, and biodiversity spaces.

Special consideration will be given to organisations and initiatives providing long-term benefit and that have great visibility for both locals and visitors.
loveqt.co.nz/community-group-support

lovewanaka.co.nz/for-community/

Otago Community Trust 
Otago Community Trust provides grants to not-for-profit community groups and projects that make a positive contribution to Otago Communities. 
oct.org.nz

Perpetual Guardian 
Distributes over $40 million of community funding and grants on behalf of their clients and generous donors each year.
perpetualguardian.co.nz/philanthropy/grant-seekers/ 

Queenstown Lakes District Council
Queenstown Lakes District Council provide or administer a range of funding opportunities to help support local projects and events to promote community wellbeing.
qldc.govt.nz

Rule Foundation
The Rule Foundation supports rainbow communities and takatāpui to flourish and pursue systemic change for future generations. It provides grants for activities that seek to advance the health, wellbeing and visibility of rainbow, takatāpui & MVPFAFF+ communities.
rulefoundation.nz

Sport Otago 
Sport Otago manages the Sport New Zealand Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa fund for the Otago region. The fund exists to activate our tamariki (children) and rangatahi (teens) through sport, active recreation and play.  Sport Otago also manage the Sporting Chance fund that provides financial assistance to children from disadvantaged circumstances to help them take part in sports.
sportotago.co.nz/funding

The Tindall Foundation
The Tindall Foundation is a family foundation that seeks opportunities to support innovative, forward-thinking initiatives that make a positive difference for Aotearoa New Zealand, in areas of whānau/families, community and environment.
tindall.org.nz

---

Corporate Community Funds 

ANZ New Zealand Staff Foundation 
ANZ is one of New Zealand's leaders in payroll giving, with almost 2,000 staff contributing regular amounts from their after tax salaries and wages. ANZ New Zealand matches these contributions at a rate of $2 for every $1 donated by staff. All funds go to our charitable trust, the ANZ New Zealand Staff Foundation. Since its inception in 2000, the ANZ New Zealand Staff Foundation has distributed over $9 million in community grants to more than 1,000 charities and community projects nationwide.

The ANZ New Zealand Staff Foundation normally has two funding rounds per year. These are ordinarily open for applications between:

1 January – 5pm on 15 February, or on the next business day if 15 February falls on a weekend or public holiday

1 July – 5pm on 15 August, or on the next business day if 15 August falls on a weekend or public holiday

anz.co.nz/about-us/corporate-responsibility/community/staff-foundation

Cook Brothers Community
Launched in 2021, Cook Brothers Community is an initiative to provide assistance through grants, funding support, professional advice, and mentorship. This program has supported a diverse range of groups and initiatives. 

cookbrothers.co.nz/services/community/

Harcourts Foundation
The Harcourts Foundation is the charitable arm of Harcourts which acts to support our communities.

Since its launch in 2008, the Harcourts Foundation has raised in excess of $10m.  Charities, community groups and crisis funds have benefited from the Harcourts network's generosity.  The Harcourts Foundation also provides funding for crisis appeals and supports communities in times of need. harcourtsfoundation.org/new-zealand

Mactodd Community Charitable Trust
The Mactodd Community Charitable Trust is a philanthropic organisation dedicated to enhancing the wellbeing of our community.

Their mission is to support and uplift individuals and groups across Central Otago and Southern Lakes. While the Trust’s original focus was elderly persons’ housing and health needs, they have expanded its purpose to encompass a wider range of community needs.
mactodd.co.nz/communitycharitabletrust

Mazda Foundation
The Mazda Foundation Trust provides financial aid to individuals and causes which provide:

Queenstown Airport Community Fund
The Queenstown Airport Community Fund reflects Queenstown Airport’s ongoing commitment to supporting the local community and aligns with its broader sustainability objectives.

This fund is worth $50,000 annually and is available for organisations doing great work to support our communities. Grants will range between $1000 and $5000.
Not-for-profits operating in the Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago districts are eligible to apply to the fund.

Applications are open from 2nd March 2026 – 3rd April 2026.  Funds will be awarded in late May 2026.
queenstownairport.co.nz/community-fund

The Simplicity Foundation 
The Simplicity Foundation provides charitable funding to four core sectors: the environment, youth development, education, and homelessness and hunger. The majority of its giving is directed through medium and long-term charity partners, with the rest allocated to smaller, one-off grants.
simplicity.kiwi/about-us/our-foundation

---

Gaming Trusts

Gaming trusts in New Zealand are non-profit organisations that are established to distribute funds raised through gambling activities (like gaming machines) to community projects, charities, and other public benefit purposes. The gambling proceeds fund a range of community initiatives, including sports clubs, education, health services, and more.   In general, funds will be distributed in the area in which they are generated, so it is important to know which trusts operate in your area.  Each trust has its own set of guidelines and focus areas for funding.

The Gaming Trusts that operate in our area are: 

Aotearoa Gaming Trust
Aotearoa Gaming Trust are a charitable gaming trust funding community organisations throughout New Zealand.
agt.nz

Grassroots Trust 
Grassroots Trust provides local funding to local communities. Currently, they have gaming partner venues in Wanaka.
grassrootstrust.co.nz

Lion Foundation
The Lion Foundation is one of New Zealand’s oldest Charitable Trusts and they support thousands of good causes all around New Zealand.
lionfoundation.nz/about-us/

NZCT
Established in 1998, NZCT is one of New Zealand's largest gaming trusts with 13% of the market share. They make contributions to local communities, particularly in the area of amateur sport and active participation.  They also support other important causes, including rescue and lifesaving services, community groups, education and culture. 
nzct.org.nz/grants/

Pub Charity
Pub Charity Limited distributes grants to worthy community organisations all over New Zealand.
pubcharitylimited.org.nz

SkyCity Community Trust 
SkyCity Community Trust supports services and programmes that focus on the wellbeing and resilience of Queenstown Lakes communities and rangatahi.
skycityqueenstown.co.nz

Below is a helpful list of venues and gaming trusts for our local area:

Venue	Location	Gaming Trust	Council Area
Criterion Hotel	Alexandra	Pub Charity	CODC
Stadium Hotel	Alexandra	Aotearoa Gaming Trust	CODC
Victoria Arms	Cromwell	Aotearoa Gaming Trust	CODC
The Gate	Cromwell	NZ Community Trust	CODC
Cromwell Brew House	Cromwell	Pub Charity	CODC
Frankton Arms Tavern	Queenstown	Aotearoa Gaming Trust	QLDC
Pub on Wharf	Queenstown	NZ Community Trust	QLDC
SkyCity Queenstown Casino	Queenstown	SkyCity Community Trust	QLDC
Water Bar	Wanaka	Grassroots Trust	QLDC
Bullock Bar	Wanaka	Lion Foundation	QLDC
Ranfurly Hotel	Ranfurly	Aotearoa Gaming Trust	CODC
Grand Tavern	Roxburgh	NZ Community Trust	CODC

Granted.govt.nz provides an interactive map to find gaming trusts in your area and information to help with the grant application process for gaming trusts.

You can view the contact details of the local funders and gaming trusts here.

---

 

Generosity

Generosity is an online resource providing information about funding plus a comprehensive list of funders. Their database is broken down into three areas – GiveUS, GivME and GivER. You usually need a paid subscription, but you can access Generosity for free via the Queenstown Lakes District Libraries.

generosity.org.nz

Fundsorter 

Fundsorter is a new tool that helps community organisations find and apply for contestable grant funding. The system helps organisations find strategically aligned opportunities, generate high-quality draft applications, edit, and submit those applications to the funders. Fundsorter includes:

* A comprehensive database of 2,500 funding opportunities 
* A matching algorithm that matches your needs with available grants.
* An AI tool that writes excellent draft funding applications
* And coming soon... funding accountability drafts and predictive funding suggestions.

You can hear co-founder Lani Evans talk about Fundsorter in a RNZ interview here.

---

Funding Guides 

To help you with your funding applications we have created some tips to consider before you apply for funding, check them out here.

The Centre for Social Impact have created a guide to help non profits apply for funding which includes an overview of the types of funders in Aotearoa, helpful tips and a funding checklist that you can view here.

You can also view a workbook to see if you are ready for funding here 

---

Funding Clinics 

Funding Clinics are held across Central Otago throughout the year which gives you an opportunity to discuss your project and meet the Grants Teams from a number of funders.  See the funding clinic dates and locations for 2026 here.

---

Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorship 

Looking for corporate sponsorship? You can read our tips here.  SportNZ also have a great document on sponsorship you can access here.

---

Budget Guides 

Creating a budget is an important step to be able to apply for funding. Community Matters has a helpful article explaining the different types of budgets you will need to provide, depending on your funding request.  They provide downloadable templates for operating and project budgets.

Check out their website here. 

A helpful template for budgets is also available here.

---

Other ways to generate income 

Some other income streams to consider are membership, sponsorship, donations, fundraising activities, contracts and social enterprise.  Leafcutter Business Support has a sustainable funding guide you can check out here.

There are online portals to help you receive online donations and crowdfunding such as Give a Little, Boosted and  Raisely 

Back to top >