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A List of National Funders

  • Sep 1, 2023
  • 3 min read

Updated: Apr 9


Grant writing in NZ

A practical guide to funding opportunities for New Zealand organisations


Finding the right funding can feel overwhelming. There are a lot of options, all with different criteria, timelines, and expectations.


To make things easier, we’ve pulled together a consolidated list of national funders, funding hubs, and key organisations to help you navigate where to start.


This is a practical starting point. From here, it’s about matching the right funder to the right project. We hope this resource helps in your quest to find funding.



Government-Administered Funding


New Zealand Government funding covers a wide range of community, social, cultural, and development initiatives.



Gaming Trusts (National Reach, Regionally Distributed)


Gaming machine societies are one of the most accessible funding sources for many organisations.



You can search gaming venues and funding availability here: https://www.dia.govt.nz/gaming/



Community Trusts (Regional, but Significant Funding)


Community Trusts provide substantial funding across New Zealand, often alongside capability support.



Full network overview: https://www.communitytrusts.nz



Community Foundations


Community Foundations are growing in New Zealand and distribute funding from locally managed philanthropic funds.


Find your local foundation: https://www.nzcommunityfoundations.org.nz


These foundations pool donations and reinvest them into communities over time, creating long-term funding impact.



Charitable Trusts & Philanthropic Foundations


These funders often focus on long-term outcomes and specific focus areas.



Energy Trusts & Utility-Based Funding


Often overlooked, but can be strong regional funders.



Funding Hubs, Tools & Search Platforms


These are invaluable when building a funding pipeline.



A Few Things to Keep in Mind


Every funder is different.


Before applying, always check:

  • Eligibility criteria

  • What they will and won’t fund

  • Funding caps and typical grant sizes

  • Application timelines

  • Supporting documentation


A strong application isn’t just about the project, it’s about fit.



Need Support with Funding?


If you’re not sure where to start, or you want to improve your chances of success, we can help.


At Leafcutter, we work alongside organisations across New Zealand to:

  • Identify the right funding opportunities

  • Build clear, fundable budgets

  • Prepare and submit applications

  • Strengthen overall funding strategy


We keep it practical, flexible, and aligned to where you’re at.


We have sourced over $3.6 million for our clients to date and have over 60 five-star Google reviews


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