Tell us what your community needs. We'll help you write the grant.
Our AI grant writer helps New Zealand community groups write strong funding applications. You know what you need - we help you say it in grant language.
No signup required. Completely free. Takes about 10 minutes.
How it works
Describe your project
Tell us what your community needs in your own words. No jargon, no forms - just a text box.
We find the right funders
Our AI matches your project to the most suitable NZ grant funders and explains why each is a good fit.
Answer a few questions
We ask the specific questions your chosen funder needs answered. Usually 3-5, not 30.
Get your draft application
A complete draft written in your voice, structured exactly how the funder wants it. Edit and download.
Funders in our database
We have profiles for these NZ funders. Click any to see what we know about them. Suggest one we are missing.
Air Rescue Services Limited
Average grant size around $19,840. Total recent distribution: $18.7M
Gaming trust distributing Class 4 (pokie) grant funds. Distributed $18.7M across 945 grants in recent years. Active since 2021.
Akarana Community Trust
Average grant size around $16,966. Total recent distribution: $3.5M
Gaming trust distributing Class 4 (pokie) grant funds. Distributed $3.5M across 205 grants in recent years. Active since 2021.
Aotearoa Gaming Foundation
Average grant size around $10,100. Total recent distribution: $12.5M
Gaming trust distributing Class 4 (pokie) grant funds. Distributed $12.5M across 1242 grants in recent years. Active since 2021.
Bendigo Valley Sports and Charity Foundation
DIA-registered Class 4 gaming trust. The Bendigo Valley Sports and Charity Foundation distributes grants from gaming machine proceeds.
Blue Sky Community Trust
Average grant size around $10,087. Total recent distribution: $11.2M
Gaming trust distributing Class 4 (pokie) grant funds. Distributed $11.2M across 1112 grants in recent years. Active since 2021.
Blue Waters Community Trust
Average grant size around $14,626. Total recent distribution: $0.7M
Gaming trust distributing Class 4 (pokie) grant funds. Distributed $0.7M across 48 grants in recent years. Active since 2021.
COGS - Community Organisation Grants Scheme
Most grants between $500 and $5,000
COGS is administered by the Department of Internal Affairs through local distribution committees. It is the most accessible grant for small community groups, designed for local, volunteer-based organisations.
Constellation Communities Trust
Average grant size around $7,423. Total recent distribution: $0.6M
Gaming trust distributing Class 4 (pokie) grant funds. Distributed $0.6M across 78 grants in recent years. Active since 2021.
Creative Communities NZ (Creative NZ)
$500 to $5,000. Multiple rounds per year depending on local council. Contact Tasman District Council for local rounds.
Partnership between Creative New Zealand and 74 local authorities throughout NZ. Aims to increase participation in the arts at a local level and increase the range and diversity of arts available to communities. Local decision-making via local assessment committees. All New Zealanders are eligible to apply. Contact your local district or city council (Tasman District Council for Motueka area) for application forms and closing dates. Each council runs its own rounds.
Dragon Community Trust
Average grant size around $8,091. Total recent distribution: $3.1M
Gaming trust distributing Class 4 (pokie) grant funds. Distributed $3.1M across 386 grants in recent years. Active since 2021.
First Light Community Foundation Limited
Average grant size around $5,254. Total recent distribution: $1.7M
Gaming trust distributing Class 4 (pokie) grant funds. Distributed $1.7M across 320 grants in recent years. Active since 2021.
Four Winds Foundation Limited
Average grant size around $9,580. Total recent distribution: $13.2M
Gaming trust distributing Class 4 (pokie) grant funds. Distributed $13.2M across 1377 grants in recent years. Active since 2021.
Grassroots Trust Central Limited
Average grant size around $8,149. Total recent distribution: $7.0M
Gaming trust distributing Class 4 (pokie) grant funds. Distributed $7.0M across 862 grants in recent years. Active since 2021.
Grassroots Trust Limited
Average grant size around $16,999. Total recent distribution: $26.7M
Gaming trust distributing Class 4 (pokie) grant funds. Distributed $26.7M across 1572 grants in recent years. Active since 2021.
ILT Foundation
Average grant size around $26,124. Total recent distribution: $6.4M
Gaming trust distributing Class 4 (pokie) grant funds. Distributed $6.4M across 246 grants in recent years. Active since 2021.
Kiwi Gaming Foundation Limited
Average grant size around $8,718. Total recent distribution: $8.2M
Gaming trust distributing Class 4 (pokie) grant funds. Distributed $8.2M across 944 grants in recent years. Active since 2021.
Lotteries NZ - Community Grants
Typically $5,000 - $100,000 for community grants
Funded by NZ Lotto profits, Lotteries Community Grants support a wide range of community projects across New Zealand. One of the largest grant programmes in the country.
Lottery Community Facilities Fund
$10,000 to $500,000+ for capital facility projects.
Lottery Grants Board fund for community facilities projects. Provides grants for building, extending, or renovating community facilities that benefit the wider community. Separate from the general Lottery Community Fund. For capital projects involving physical community infrastructure.
Lottery Environment and Heritage Fund
$5,000 to $100,000+ for environment and heritage projects.
Lottery Grants Board fund for projects that protect, conserve, or care for New Zealand's natural, cultural, and physical heritage. Relevant for iwi organisations involved in environmental restoration, cultural heritage preservation, and conservation projects.
Mainland Foundation Limited
Average grant size around $13,624. Total recent distribution: $5.5M
Gaming trust distributing Class 4 (pokie) grant funds. Distributed $5.5M across 403 grants in recent years. Active since 2021.
Manukau Community Facilities Charitable Trust
Average grant size around $43,635. Total recent distribution: $2.3M
Gaming trust distributing Class 4 (pokie) grant funds. Distributed $2.3M across 52 grants in recent years. Active since 2021.
Milestone Foundation Limited
Average grant size around $9,482. Total recent distribution: $4.0M
Gaming trust distributing Class 4 (pokie) grant funds. Distributed $4.0M across 420 grants in recent years. Active since 2023.
Network Tasman Trust
$500 to $5,000. Annual round only. Applications July/August, decisions October.
Charitable trust allocating approximately $260,000 per year via the Peter Malone Community Grants Scheme in recognition of past and present network users. Named after former Nelson Mayor Peter Malone. Distributed over $190,000 across 99 groups in 2025 (record 147 applications). Primarily supports projects completable within one year. Five main funding categories. Applications open July/August, close last Friday of August. Decisions in October.
New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT)
$1,000 to $150,000+. Typical sport grants $2,000 to $30,000. Larger grants for facilities and rescue services.
One of New Zealand's largest gaming trusts (12% market share), established 1998. Distributed $39.9 million through 1,914 grants in 2023/24. Around 75% of funds go to amateur sport. Also funds rescue services, youth development, arts, culture, health, education, and environment. Has Regional Advisory Committees across NZ including Top of the South. Two Net Proceeds Committees: NPC1 (trustees, monthly, larger grants) and NPC2 (senior managers, fortnightly, smaller grants). Apply at least 3 months before funds needed.
One Foundation
Average grant size around $12,133. Total recent distribution: $16.0M
Gaming trust distributing Class 4 grants nationally. Distributed $16.0M across 1,316 grants. Apply via Microsoft portal. Net Proceeds Committee meets monthly. Funds charitable purposes, non-commercial community benefit, and amateur sport.
Oranga Marae
Varies. Covers repairs, upgrades, and development projects for marae.
Government fund administered by DIA specifically for marae development. Provides grants for marae repairs, upgrades, and development projects. Directly relevant to iwi and hapu organisations. Supports the physical infrastructure that underpins whanau, hapu and iwi wellbeing.
Oxford Sports Trust
Average grant size around $7,359. Total recent distribution: $6.2M
Gaming trust distributing Class 4 (pokie) grant funds. Distributed $6.2M across 845 grants in recent years. Active since 2022.
Pelorus Trust
$1,000 to $25,000. Regular grant rounds.
Charitable gaming trust based in Lower Hutt raising funds through gaming machines in hotels and taverns between Auckland and Nelson/Marlborough. Donates under six broad categories: Education, Welfare/Social, Health, Art and Culture, Sport and Recreation, Youth. Aims to reach as many people as possible across these categories.
Pub Charity Limited
$500 to $50,000. Monthly grant rounds. Decision within first week of following month.
Gaming trust returning grant funds from member hotels and taverns back to the communities where they were raised. Net Proceeds Committee meets monthly (except December) to decide on grant applications. Funds must be spent within 3 months and for the stated purpose. Also supports national organisations. GST-registered recipients have only GST-exclusive amounts counted toward accountability.
Rano Community Trust
Average grant size around $12,954. Total recent distribution: $5.4M
Gaming trust distributing Class 4 (pokie) grant funds. Distributed $5.4M across 420 grants in recent years. Active since 2021.
Rata Foundation
Most grants between $2,000 and $30,000
Rata Foundation supports communities in Te Tau Ihu (Top of the South Island) through grants for charitable purposes. One of the largest funders in the region.
Redwood Trust Incorporated
Average grant size around $2,789. Total recent distribution: $0.5M
Gaming trust distributing Class 4 (pokie) grant funds. Distributed $0.5M across 168 grants in recent years. Active since 2021.
Safer Communities Fund
Government fund administered by DIA supporting community-led crime prevention and community safety initiatives. Helps communities address safety issues through local solutions.
Sport NZ - Tuu Manawa Active Aotearoa
Varies. Applied through Regional Sports Trusts. Contact Sport Tasman for Nelson/Tasman opportunities.
Sport New Zealand's Tuu Manawa Active Aotearoa fund supports organisations that provide play, active recreation, and sport opportunities. Administered through Regional Sports Trusts (Sport Tasman for the Nelson/Tasman region). Targets increased participation, particularly among underrepresented groups.
TAB New Zealand
Average grant size around $28,750. Total recent distribution: $14.5M
TAB New Zealand applies gaming machine funds primarily to racing and sports betting purposes. Unlike other Class 4 societies, TAB's authorised purpose is primarily racing industry support. Limited general community grant-making.
Tasman District Council Community Grants
Average allocations $1,000-$1,500 for most categories. Up to $5,000 for sport/recreation facility development. Annual round: open 1 May, close 31 July, decisions October.
Tasman District Council allocates community grants from rates annually. Applications open 1 May, close 31 July each year. More requests received than funds available. Assessed by Community Grants Subcommittee (one councillor per ward). Decisions notified by early October. Six funding categories: events (up to $1,500), community programmes ($1,000), social services ($1,250), environment ($1,500), emergency services ($1,000), and sport/recreation facilities (up to $5,000). Council estimates $3-$5 return for every $1 spent.
Te Puni Kokiri
Varies by fund stream. Maara Kai grants from $1,000. Larger economic development and housing funds can be $50,000+. Contact Nelson regional office for current opportunities.
Te Puni Kokiri (Ministry of Maori Development) offers a range of funds to advance Maori interests. Includes Whanau Ora, Maara Kai (community gardens), Maori housing, and various kaupapa Maori initiatives. Regional offices in Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill provide local support. Funds focus on skills, learning, education, and Maori economic enterprise. Multiple fund streams with different criteria and timeframes.
The Lion Foundation
$1,000 to $100,000+. Sport receives 40% of all funding.
One of New Zealand's largest gaming trusts. Funding split: community including arts, culture, heritage and environment (30%), health (15%), sport (40%), and education (15%). Must be incorporated (Incorporated Societies Act, Charitable Trusts Act, or Act of Parliament). Marae must provide Gazette Notice/Vesting Order and Charities Services registration. Apply online. Contact Grants Advisors on 0800 802 908 before first application.
The North and South Trust
DIA-registered Class 4 gaming trust. The North and South Trust distributes grants from gaming machine proceeds to community organisations.
The Tindall Foundation
$500 to $15,000. Year 1 up to $15,000, Year 2 up to $10,000, Year 3 up to $5,000 (declining scale). Local Donation Managers may have lower caps. No set rounds - apply anytime.
Philanthropic family foundation working throughout Aotearoa to support families, community and the environment. Three focus areas: Family/Whanau, Community, and Environment. No closing dates or donation rounds (apply anytime). Funding via regional Local Donation Managers (LDMs) or directly. Supports initiatives over 3 years on a declining scale. Submit at least 4 months before funds needed. Does not consider urgent or retrospective applications. Not GST registered, so donations never include GST.
The Trusts Community Foundation
DIA-registered Class 4 gaming trust. The Trusts Community Foundation distributes grants from gaming machine proceeds. Operates primarily in West Auckland communities.
Todd Foundation
$5,000 to $50,000+. Multi-year funding available.
Independent philanthropic foundation focused on building a fair, just and sustainable Aotearoa. Funds initiatives that address systemic issues affecting children, young people and their whanau/families. One of NZ's established private foundations. Does not fund retrospective costs or individuals.
Trillian Trust
Average grant size around $15,264. Total recent distribution: $13.6M
Gaming trust distributing Class 4 (pokie) grant funds. Distributed $13.6M across 892 grants in recent years. Active since 2022.
Trust Aoraki
DIA-registered Class 4 gaming trust. South Island focused. Distributes grants in Canterbury/South Island communities.
Trust House Foundation
DIA-registered Class 4 gaming trust. Trust House Foundation distributes grants from gaming machine proceeds. Operates primarily in Wairarapa, Horowhenua, and surrounding communities.
We Care Community Trust
Average grant size around $15,095. Total recent distribution: $3.9M
Gaming trust distributing Class 4 (pokie) grant funds. Distributed $3.9M across 259 grants in recent years. Active since 2023.
Youthtown Incorporated
Average grant size around $68,042. Total recent distribution: $4.1M
Youthtown applies gaming machine funds primarily to its own youth development programmes rather than distributing general community grants. Distributed $4.1M across 60 grants (average $68K, indicating internal/strategic grants). One of the few societies that applies funds rather than distributing open grants.
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Just submitted through a portal?
Paste the questions from the funder's application form. This helps us generate better drafts for the next person who applies.
Not just a template. A grant writer that learns.
Every funder in our system has a detailed profile - what they fund, how they want applications written, what language they respond to, and the mistakes that get applications rejected.
Tailored to each funder
Rata Foundation wants to see Te Tiriti alignment and strength-based language. NZCT wants participation numbers and KPIs. COGS wants plain, practical language. The AI knows what each funder cares about and writes accordingly.
Apply to multiple funders at once
Describe your project once, answer a few questions, then generate a separate tailored draft for each funder. Same project, different framing. Download each as a Word document and submit through each funder's portal.
Gets smarter with every application
Every time someone suggests a new funder, we research and add it. Our AI monitors funder websites weekly for changes to criteria or deadlines. The more people use this tool, the better it gets for everyone.
Built for community groups
Schools and PTAs, marae committees, sports clubs, volunteer fire brigades, playcentres, kohanga reo, community halls, arts groups, conservation groups, and small charities without dedicated grant writers. The people who know exactly what their community needs but don't have time to learn grant language for every funder.