Deadline: 30-Jun-2026
The Rotorua Community Fund, administered by the Geyser Community Foundation, provides financial support to charitable organisations, schools, and community groups that directly benefit the Rotorua community, including Murupara and Kaingaroa. A total of NZD 42,700 is available in 2026 to fund projects that reduce inequity, improve wellbeing, strengthen communities, support vulnerable populations, and promote social inclusion.
About the Rotorua Community Fund
The Rotorua Community Fund is a community grant program designed to support charitable initiatives that improve the wellbeing, resilience, and quality of life of people living in Rotorua, Murupara, and Kaingaroa.
The fund focuses on addressing social, economic, health, educational, and community development challenges through local organisations that deliver direct services and measurable community benefits.
The fund is administered by the Geyser Community Foundation and supports projects that create positive and lasting outcomes for local communities.
Funding Information
- Total funding available in 2026: NZD 42,700.
- No individual grant can exceed 50% of the total available funding.
- Funding must be used for the approved purpose outlined in the application.
- Funding decisions are final.
- Successful recipients will be recognised at a special awards function in Rotorua.
Program Objectives
The fund aims to:
- Reduce social and economic inequity.
- Improve household financial capability and life skills.
- Support safe, healthy, and warm homes.
- Help young adults transition from education to employment.
- Engage young people not currently in education, employment, or training.
- Improve health and wellbeing outcomes.
- Reduce harm caused by drug abuse and domestic violence.
- Support people with medical conditions and healthcare access needs.
- Assist children with specific health or educational challenges.
- Strengthen local communities and community resilience.
- Promote cultural development and diversity.
- Support Kaupapa Māori initiatives.
- Encourage multicultural community engagement.
- Promote gender diversity and inclusion.
- Foster inter-generational and age-friendly communities.
- Recognise and support community volunteers.
Priority Funding Areas
Applications are particularly encouraged for projects that:
- Address poverty and financial hardship.
- Improve family wellbeing and household resilience.
- Support vulnerable children and young people.
- Promote health education and preventative health initiatives.
- Strengthen community participation and social cohesion.
- Improve access to support services.
- Encourage cultural understanding and diversity.
- Support Māori-led community initiatives.
- Create inclusive environments for diverse population groups.
- Enhance volunteer engagement and community leadership.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible applicants must:
- Be based in Rotorua, Kaingaroa, or Murupara.
- Directly benefit the Rotorua community.
- Operate for charitable purposes.
- Meet one of the following organisational structures:
- Incorporated Society.
- Registered Charity.
- School or Kura.
Eligible organisations include:
- Local charities.
- Community organisations.
- Educational institutions.
- Community service providers.
- Non-profit groups delivering charitable activities.
Ineligible Activities and Expenses
The fund does not support:
- Projects primarily benefiting individual people.
- Arts-focused projects.
- Organisations operating outside New Zealand.
- Disaster relief organisations.
- Advocacy groups primarily promoting a message rather than delivering services.
- Purchase of land or buildings.
- Sports uniforms and sports travel costs.
- Overseas travel.
- Creation of loan funds.
- Creation of scholarship funds.
- Retrospective applications.
- Emergency funding requests.
- Activities that are not charitable in nature.
How the Program Works
- Confirm that the organisation meets the eligibility requirements.
- Develop a project that directly benefits the Rotorua community.
- Ensure the project aligns with one or more funding priorities.
- Prepare a detailed funding application and budget.
- Submit the application to the Geyser Community Foundation.
- Applications are assessed against fund objectives and community impact.
- Successful organisations receive grant funding.
- Funding recipients implement approved activities.
- Recipients provide a verbal report at a Round Table Meeting explaining how the funding was used and the outcomes achieved.
- Selected recipients may participate in interviews and promotional activities organised by the Foundation.
Recipient Responsibilities
Successful grant recipients must:
- Use funding only for the approved purpose.
- Complete funded activities as outlined in the application.
- Provide a verbal report detailing project outcomes and benefits.
- Participate in reasonable evaluation and promotional activities if requested.
- Demonstrate the impact achieved through the funded project.
Why This Fund Matters
Local communities often face challenges related to financial hardship, health inequalities, social isolation, youth disengagement, and limited access to services.
The Rotorua Community Fund helps address these issues by:
- Supporting frontline community organisations.
- Investing in preventative and early-intervention initiatives.
- Strengthening community resilience.
- Promoting social inclusion and diversity.
- Improving opportunities for vulnerable populations.
- Encouraging community-led solutions to local challenges.
Tips for a Strong Application
- Clearly explain the community need being addressed.
- Demonstrate direct benefits to Rotorua residents.
- Align the project with priority funding areas.
- Include measurable outcomes and expected impacts.
- Present a realistic and detailed budget.
- Show evidence of community support or collaboration.
- Explain how funding will create lasting benefits.
Common Application Mistakes
- Applying for ineligible activities or expenses.
- Providing unclear project objectives.
- Failing to demonstrate community benefit.
- Submitting incomplete budgets.
- Requesting funding for retrospective costs.
- Focusing on individual rather than community benefit.
- Not aligning the project with fund priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Rotorua Community Fund?
The Rotorua Community Fund is a grant program that supports charitable organisations, schools, and community groups delivering projects that directly benefit the Rotorua, Murupara, and Kaingaroa communities.
How much funding is available?
A total of NZD 42,700 is available for distribution in 2026. No single grant may exceed 50% of the total funding available.
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include Incorporated Societies, Registered Charities, and Schools or Kura based in Rotorua, Murupara, or Kaingaroa.
What types of projects are prioritised?
Projects focused on reducing inequity, improving health and wellbeing, supporting youth, strengthening communities, promoting cultural diversity, and assisting vulnerable populations are prioritised.
Can individuals apply?
No. The fund supports organisations and community groups rather than projects that primarily benefit individual people.
Are sports or arts projects eligible?
Arts projects and sports-related expenses such as uniforms and travel costs are not eligible for funding.
What reporting is required after receiving funding?
Successful recipients must provide a verbal report at a Round Table Meeting explaining how the funding was used and the benefits achieved.
Conclusion
The Rotorua Community Fund provides valuable financial support for charitable organisations and community groups working to improve wellbeing, reduce inequity, strengthen communities, and support vulnerable populations across Rotorua, Murupara, and Kaingaroa. By funding projects with clear community impact, the program helps create stronger, healthier, and more inclusive communities throughout the region.
For more information, visit Geyser Community Foundation.
