Funding Strategy & Financial Systems Support for Mint Charitable Trust, Wānaka

Mar 6
2 min read

Group of people in race attire celebrate under a red "Challenge Wanaka" arch. Smiling faces, medals, and a sunny outdoor setting.

Snapshot

Client: Mint Charitable Trust

Location: Wānaka, New Zealand

Industry: Youth and community development

Services Provided: Grant writing, funding strategy, bookkeeping and financial reporting

Engagement: Ongoing partnership since 2021

Key Result: More than $350,000 secured in grant funding, alongside strengthened financial systems and internal capability

Background

Mint Charitable Trust is a Wānaka-based organisation dedicated to supporting young people through mentoring, connection and community programmes. As the organisation expanded its reach and programme delivery, the team required additional support navigating grant funding while ensuring financial systems and reporting kept pace with growth.

Leafcutter Business Support first partnered with Mint Charitable Trust in 2021 to provide grant writing support. Over time, the relationship evolved into a broader advisory partnership, now including bookkeeping and financial reporting support. https://www.minttrust.nz

The Challenge

Like many charitable organisations, Mint Charitable Trust operates in a fast-moving environment where programme delivery, funding applications and financial reporting all compete for limited internal capacity.

The team required support to:

• Identify and prepare strong funding applications

• Develop accurate project and operational budgets

• Manage accountability reporting

• Maintain clear and accurate financial records

Funding applications often require detailed financial breakdowns that align precisely with a funder’s predefined categories. This involves careful restructuring of budgets and ensuring operational costs are clearly justified and supported by accurate financial information.

At the same time, the organisation required ongoing bookkeeping support to maintain financial clarity for board reporting and organisational oversight.

The Leafcutter Approach

Grant Writing & Funding Strategy

Our partnership began with full grant writing support, including researching funding opportunities, preparing applications and developing supporting documentation to strengthen submissions. We also support the preparation of accountability reporting, ensuring funders receive clear updates on how funding has been used and the outcomes achieved.

Building Internal Capability

As the organisation grew, our role evolved to include advisory and review support. We worked alongside the Mint team to build internal capability, alternating between preparing applications directly and advising on strategy and funding priorities.

Bookkeeping & Financial Reporting

Our bookkeeping team now provides ongoing support maintaining financial records, updating budgets, preparing board reporting and assisting with financial queries as they arise. This integrated approach ensures funding applications, financial reporting and organisational planning remain aligned.

The Results

• More than $350,000 secured in grant funding to date

• Stronger internal capability within the Mint team to manage funding applications

• Improved financial reporting and governance oversight

• Structured bookkeeping systems supporting organisational growth

• A trusted long-term advisory partnership since 2021

The trust now approaches funding opportunities with greater confidence and clarity, supported by financial systems that strengthen both governance and accountability.