Community funding process
How does Meridian decide which projects to fund?
It's important to Meridian that community members help decide which local initiatives are funded in their area. That's why our community funding panels are made up of a mix of Meridian staff and nominated community representatives, and we work together to review proposals and allocate funding. Each panel meets two to three times a year to review funding requests and decide what projects are funded.
We review funding requests against the fund's objectives and a set of selection criteria to help us decide if the project supports sustainable community development. If you have any questions, phone 03 357 9732 or send us an email.
What communities can apply for funding?
- Te Apiti fund – Ashhurst and Woodville
- Waitaki fund – Aoraki Mount Cook to Waitaki Bridge, including Twizel, Omarama, Otematata, Kurow, Hakataramea, Duntroon, Ikawai, Papakaio and Glenavy
- Manapouri Te Anau fund – Te Anau, Manapouri, Clifden and Tuatapere
- White Hill fund – Mossburn, Dipton and Lumsden
- West Wind fund – Makara, South Makara, Makara Beach and Takarau Gorge
- Te Uku fund – Raglan, Te Mata, Waitetuna and Te Uku
Community fund objectives and application process
-
Te Apiti
There is $120,000 available over three years, and the fund started in October 2012.
How to apply
Check your project meets at least one of the following objectives:
- promotes environmental awareness and programmes that sustain and improve the quality of the environment in the community
- contributes to the sustainability of non-profit organisations or volunteer services
- promotes life-long learning opportunities for all
- fosters the development of opportunities for sporting, social and recreational activities
- contributes to programmes that will enhance the attractiveness of the appearance of the community.
Then check your project meets our selection criteria.
If you're eligible, complete our funding request form and send it to Meridian Community Funds, PO Box 2128, Christchurch.
Funding Request Form (PDF 137KB)
When should I apply?
The Te Apiti community fund panel meets to review funding requests on the following dates:
- 8 October 2013 – applications close 17 September 2013.
-
Waitaki
There is $1 million available over three years, and the fund started in November 2012.
How to apply
Check your project meets at least one of the following objectives:
- promotes environmental awareness and programmes that sustain and improve the quality of the environment in the community
- contributes to the sustainability of non-profit organisations or volunteer services
- promotes life-long learning opportunities for all
- fosters the development of opportunities for sporting, social and recreational activities
- contributes to programmes that will enhance the attractiveness of the appearance of the community.
Then check your project meets our selection criteria.
If you're eligible, complete our funding request form and send it to Meridian Community Funds, PO Box 2128, Christchurch.
Funding Request Form (PDF 137KB)
When should I apply?
The Waitaki community fund panel meets to review funding requests on the following dates:
- 16 July 2013 – applications close 25 June 2013
- 12 November 2013 – applications close 22 October 2013.
-
Manapouri Te Anau
There is half a million dollars available over three years, and the fund started in March 2013.
How to apply
Check your project meets at least one of the following objectives:
- promotes environmental awareness and programmes that sustain and improve the quality of the environment in the community
- contributes to the sustainability of non-profit organisations or volunteer services
- promotes access to quality healthcare
- promotes life-long learning opportunities for all
- fosters the development of opportunities for sporting, social and recreational activities.
Then check your project meets our selection criteria.
If you're eligible, complete our funding request form and send it to Meridian Community Funds, PO Box 2128, Christchurch.
Funding Request Form (PDF 137KB)
When should I apply?
The Manapouri Te Anau community fund panel meets to review funding requests on the following dates:
- 12 June 2013 – applications close 22 May 2013
- 11 September 2013 – applications close 21 August 2013.
-
White Hill
There is $75,000 available over three years, and the fund started in March 2012.
How to apply
Check your project meets at least one of the following objectives:
- promotes environmental awareness and programmes that sustain and improve the quality of the environment in the community
- contributes to the sustainability of non-profit organisations or volunteer services
- promotes access to quality healthcare
- promotes life-long learning opportunities for all
- fosters the development of opportunities for sporting, social and recreational activities.
Then check your project meets our selection criteria.
If you're eligible, complete our funding request form and send it to Meridian Community Funds, PO Box 2128, Christchurch.
Funding Request Form (PDF 137KB)
When should I apply?
The White Hill community fund panel meets to review funding requests on the following dates:
- 12 September 2013 – applications close 22 August 2013.
-
West Wind
There is $200,000 available over three years, and the fund started in May 2013.
How to apply
Check your project meets at least one of the following objectives:
- promotes environmental awareness and programmes that sustain and improve the quality of the environment in the community
- encourages a safer community
- contributes to the sustainability of non-profit organisations or volunteer services
- fosters the development of opportunities for sporting, social and recreational activities with a focus on youth
- promotes life-long learning opportunities for all.
Then check your project meets our selection criteria.
If you're eligible, complete our funding request form and send it to Meridian Community Funds, PO Box 2128, Christchurch.
Funding Request Form (PDF 137KB)
When should I apply?
The West Wind community fund panel meets to review funding requests on the following dates:
- 15 October 2013 – applications close 24 September 2013.
-
Te Uku
There is $120,000 available over three years, and the fund starts in September 2012.
How to apply
Check your project meets at least one of the following objectives:
- promotes environmental awareness and programmes that sustain and improve the quality of the environment in the community
- contributes to the sustainability of non-profit organisations or volunteer services
- promotes life-long learning opportunities for all
- fosters the development of opportunities for sporting, social and recreational activities
- promotes quality healthcare.
Then check your project meets our selection criteria.
If you're eligible, complete our funding request form and send it to Meridian Community Funds, PO Box 2128, Christchurch.
Funding Request Form (PDF 102KB)
When should I apply?
The Te Uku community fund panel meets to review funding requests on the following dates:
- 26 September 2013 – applications close 5 September 2013.
The selection criteria
If you'd like to apply for funding, please read through our selection criteria carefully to check that your project is eligible. Your proposal must clearly outline what the outcomes and benefits of your project will be, and how your project will:
- contribute directly to the community
- generate benefits that do not presently exist
- contribute long-term solutions to issues
- foster the development of skills and capacity
- demonstrate the ability to make effective use of the funds
- have performance measures that focus on outcomes
- provide promotional opportunities
- use the fund to attract additional funding for the project
- demonstrate a sustainable future for the project beyond the support of the fund.
Please note that we do not provide funding for the following kinds of projects:
- projects focused on capital works
- private business seeking finance
- individuals
- projects normally wholly funded by local or central government
- projects that do not directly benefit the defined community.
What if my project doesn't match the criteria?
There are a number of other organisations that provide support to community groups. Here are some ideas about other organisations you can approach for funding and advice.
A comprehensive list of community and individual funding options, including mentoring and sponsorship.
This website gives you access to online applications for the Community Grants Scheme and the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board. Grants Online is a function of the Department of Internal Affairs.
Provides grants to a wide range of sporting and community groups.
New Zealand Lottery Grants Board
Focuses on community, environment, heritage, marae development, health and outdoor safety. The New Zealand Lottery Grants Board is a function of the Department of Internal Affairs.
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise's Business Incubator is designed to assist businesses to become established and profitable during their start-up phase. You may also be interested in the Enterprise Development Grants.
Apply for community project funding in the Otago region.
A charitable trust that makes donations to organisations throughout New Zealand.
