Deadline: 30-Sep-2025
The Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa Fund, administered regionally by Sport Otago on behalf of Sport New Zealand, is inviting applications from organizations passionate about energizing young people through play, sport, and active recreation.
This fund puts young voices at the center of community sports and play programs, with a clear mission to engage children and teenagers in activities they actually enjoy and want to join.
There are two major rounds each year in which applicants can apply for up to $30,000. These larger grants provide an opportunity for organizations to design and deliver initiatives that can have a strong and lasting impact on their communities while ensuring that the activities are meaningful and inclusive.
Applicants begin the process with an expression of interest or by contacting the Grants Coordinator at Sport Otago, which leads to a guided development of the full proposal. As part of the application, organizations must show they have actively listened to young people and understand the barriers they face in participating in physical activity. A thoughtful application speaks to how the project will remove those barriers and truly resonate with the intended participants.
The fund places special emphasis on reaching groups known to be less active—such as young women and girls, disabled youth, and those facing social or cultural barriers—encouraging targeted and inclusive programming. Legal entities like schools, community organizations, and clubs are all eligible, though projects delivered within school hours must be co-designed with school staff and meet specific implementation requirements.
At the end of each supported project, grantees are expected to report on both outcomes and participation metrics. Feedback and stories from participants, especially young people, form an important part of impact reporting. This documentation helps Sport Otago and Sport New Zealand understand what works and enables continuous improvement in how the fund supports local efforts.
Overall, the Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa Fund offers a flexible, community-centered opportunity for groups to activate youth-designed physical activity programs with tangible support and meaningful outcomes.
For more information, visit Sport Otago.
