Set your application up for success

The strongest applications help the panel understand both the work your organisation does today and the difference your project will make in the future. Specific examples, evidence and measurable outcomes can help bring your application to life and demonstrate the impact of your work.

Don’t assume the panel already understand what work you do in the community or that they will complete a background search. A good application should clearly display this.

Help us understand who you are, what you do, and who you support.

A strong response clearly explains the services, programmes or support your organisation provides, who benefits from your work, and the difference you make in your community. Where possible, include statistics or examples to demonstrate your impact. For example, telling us you support 50 people each day provides a clearer picture than simply saying you support the local community.

Focus on outcomes, not just the project

Help us understand what you're proposing and the difference it will make.

Describe the project you're seeking funding for and explain what it will enable your organisation to achieve. We're interested in more than just what you're purchasing or installing. We want to understand how the project will strengthen your organisation, improve the services you provide, or help you reach and support more people in your community.

The strongest applications clearly demonstrate the outcomes the project will deliver. Where possible, include measurable impacts and specific examples. For example, telling us that a project will allow you to support an additional 50 people each week provides a clearer picture than simply saying it will help you support more people.

Consider:

Founded in 2011 in Palmerston North, we are NZ’s longest-running free store. We rescue surplus edible food from supermarkets, producers, and local businesses, food that would otherwise go to landfill, and redistribute it to those in need, no questions asked. Anyone is welcome; people simply bring their own bags and receive trays with a range of food. We distribute an average of 2,000 kg of rescued food a day. Currently, we support around 455 people daily who come to get food from our store. We also support 80+ community groups across Manawatū–Whanganui.

We provide the equivalent of approximately 3,980 meals each day to an average of 455 people, who collect food directly from us to support an estimated 3–4 others in their households. Since March, we have dedicated one shift each Wednesday as a special hour exclusively for seniors (aged 65+), creating a more relaxed environment for those who may feel overwhelmed when collecting food. In the first half of this year alone, we distributed the equivalent of over 151,656 meals to 80 partner groups.

Just Zilch seeks funding to install a 23.6 kWp solar energy system at our Featherston Street site, reducing power costs and supporting long-term sustainability. We use over 59,000 kWh/year to run chillers, fridges, and charge our electric van. The system will save over $6,300 in the first year and $200,000+ over 25 years. Solar aligns with our values: cutting emissions, reducing costs, and ensuring we can keep rescuing and redistributing food to our community.

The impact of this solar system is significant. Estimated first-year savings is over $6,300 and estimated lifetime savings (25 years) is over $202,000, even after accounting for the initial investment. This system is expected to pay for itself in less than 6 years, with decades of ongoing savings to follow. It also provides protection against rising energy costs, ensuring Just Zilch remains financially stable and able to operate sustainably well into the future.