This funding resource directory highlights funding opportunities available to creative spaces, artists and community organisations across Aotearoa. The directory includes government funding, philanthropic foundations, regional community trusts and useful funding search tools.

Funding opportunities for creative spaces

1. Government funding programmes

Government grants administered through ministries or departments. These usually support community development, cultural initiatives, youth programmes, and social services.

Examples

• Creative New Zealand
• Department of Internal Affairs – Community Matters / Lottery Grants
• Ministry of Youth Development Grants
• Te Puni Kōkiri – Māori Development funding
• Ministry for Pacific Peoples Funds
• Ministry for Ethnic Communities – Ethnic Communities Development Fund

These funds are typically national and contestable, often aligned with government policy priorities.

2. Community trusts (regional trusts)

Regional philanthropic trusts distributing funding within specific geographic areas. These are major sources of community funding in Aotearoa.

Examples by region

• Auckland & Northland Community Trusts
• Waikato Community Trusts
• Taranaki Community Trusts
• Bay of Plenty Community Trusts
• Eastern & Central North Island Community Trusts
• Wellington Community Trusts
• Nelson / Marlborough / Canterbury / Chatham Islands Community Trusts
• Otago Community Trusts
• Southland Community Trusts

Community trusts typically support local community organisations, arts, sports, environment and social services.

3. Community foundations

Community foundations pool donations and endowments to fund projects within their local region.

Example

• Community Foundations of Aotearoa New Zealand network

They often fund:

• community wellbeing initiatives
• local development projects
• charities and social services.

4. Grantmaking trusts and philanthropic foundations

Independent charitable trusts or family foundations providing grants across Aotearoa.

Examples

• The Tindall Foundation
• Rule Foundation
• The Lindsay Foundation
• Spark Foundation
• Simplicity Foundation
• ANZ New Zealand Staff Foundation
• Te Rourou (One NZ Foundation)

These foundations generally focus on social change, equity, youth development, environment, or digital inclusion.

5. Funding platforms and grant databases

Online tools that help organisations find and apply for grants.

Examples

• Fundsorter Fundsorter helps New Zealand charities find and apply for contestable grant funding. Using Fundsorter, community organisations can find strategically aligned opportunities, generate high-quality applications, and then submit those applications to the funders.
• Centre for Social Impact (CSI) - Funding Guide CSI provides a comprehensive guide for nonprofits and community organisations who are looking for funding.
• Local Government NZ - Regional Councils List LGNZ provides a handy list of links to regional councils, each of which usually provide a number of grant options for organisations based in their region. Visit your regional council’s website, and type “community grants” into the search box
• Charities NZ - How to fund your charity Charities NZ provides a great resource on funding options for your charity.
• CommunityMatters A central information hub for funds under the Lottery Grants Board.
• Local Community. This website lists a wide variety of different community funders.
• Perpetual Guardian Funding Hub Perpetual Guardian provides a grant-seeker’s hub that lists current and upcoming funding rounds for philanthropic trusts administered by Perpetual Guardian.
• Public Trust Grantseeker’s Portal Public Trust provides a search tool for the grant-making trusts they administer.

These resources help organisations search for funding opportunities and prepare applications.

6. Energy trust community funds

Regional electricity distributors that provide community grants within their service areas.

Examples

• WEL Energy Trust (Waikato)
• Central Energy Trust (Manawatu/Tararua)
• Trust Horizon (Eastern Bay of Plenty)
• Alpine Energy (South Canterbury)
• Meridian Energy (Nationwide)
• Network Tasman Trust (Tasman)
• Mainpower (North Canterbury) 
• Taranaki Electricty Trust (Parts of Taranaki)
• TECT (Western Bay of Plenty and Tauranga)
• Centralines (Central Hawkes Bay)

These funds typically support community organisations, facilities and local initiatives within their electricity distribution region.

This directory is intended as a starting point for creative spaces and community organisations seeking funding opportunities in Aotearoa. Funding programmes change regularly, so we recommend visiting funder websites for the most up-to-date information on eligibility and application dates. Creative Spaces Network Aotearoa encourages organisations to explore multiple funding sources and build strong partnerships to support sustainable creative and community initiatives.