Deadline: 28-Aug-2026
The Foundation North Fund is accepting applications to support projects for takatāpui, MVPFAFF+ and rainbow communities in Tāmaki Makaurau and Te Tai Tokerau. The fund supports not-for-profit groups and organisations delivering inclusive programmes, advocacy, arts, sport, culture, education, events, support services, and community-led initiatives that respond to identified community needs.
Fund Overview
The Foundation North Fund supports projects designed for takatāpui, MVPFAFF+ and rainbow communities in Tāmaki Makaurau and Te Tai Tokerau.
The fund is intended for not-for-profit groups and organisations carrying out charitable work in these regions. Applicants must identify a clear community need and explain how their proposed project will respond to that need.
The fund supports community-led initiatives that strengthen wellbeing, inclusion, participation, visibility, support, and connection across takatāpui, MVPFAFF+ and rainbow communities.
Fund Purpose
The purpose of the fund is to support projects that address community-identified needs within takatāpui, MVPFAFF+ and rainbow communities.
The fund helps organisations deliver activities that respond directly to local priorities through inclusive programming, advocacy, arts, sport, culture, education, events, community groups, and support services.
It aims to strengthen wellbeing and create meaningful benefits for targeted communities in Tāmaki Makaurau and Te Tai Tokerau.
Funding Details
Funding is available in two tiers.
Available funding includes:
- Up to $20,000 for smaller projects
- Up to $65,000 for larger projects
Applicants should select the funding tier that best matches the size, scope, and expected impact of their project.
Key Focus Areas
The fund focuses on community wellbeing, inclusion, and support for takatāpui, MVPFAFF+ and rainbow communities.
Key focus areas include:
- Community-identified needs
- Takatāpui communities
- MVPFAFF+ communities
- Rainbow communities
- Inclusive programming
- Advocacy initiatives
- Community events
- Support services
- Community groups
- Arts-based activities
- Sport-based activities
- Cultural activities
- Education-based activities
- Wellbeing support
- Community connection
- Local charitable work
- Regional community benefit
Geographic Focus
The fund supports work taking place only within Tāmaki Makaurau and Te Tai Tokerau.
Eligible regions include:
- Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland
- Te Tai Tokerau, Northland
Projects must clearly show how they will benefit takatāpui, MVPFAFF+ and rainbow communities in these regions.
Who Is Eligible?
The fund is open to not-for-profit groups and organisations carrying out charitable work in Tāmaki Makaurau and Te Tai Tokerau.
Eligible applicants may include:
- Not-for-profit organisations
- Community organisations
- Charitable groups
- Rainbow community groups
- Takatāpui-led initiatives
- MVPFAFF+ community initiatives
- Arts, sport, culture, education, advocacy, or support organisations working with eligible communities
Applicants must not currently be receiving Foundation North funding.
Applicant Requirements
Applicants must clearly identify a specific community need.
Applications should explain:
- What need has been identified
- Who identified the need
- Which communities will benefit
- How the project responds to the need
- Why the project is important for takatāpui, MVPFAFF+ or rainbow communities
- How the project will be delivered in Tāmaki Makaurau or Te Tai Tokerau
- What benefits the project will create for the targeted population
What the Fund Can Support
The fund supports a wide range of community-led and charitable activities.
Supported activities may include:
- Community events
- Programmes
- Advocacy initiatives
- Community groups
- Support services
- Arts activities
- Sport activities
- Cultural activities
- Education-based activities
- Wellbeing initiatives
- Inclusive community programming
- Projects that build connection, visibility, safety, and participation
What the Fund Does Not Support
The fund does not support all types of requests.
Ineligible activities include:
- Retrospective funding
- Fundraising activities
- Debt repayment
- Refinancing of existing loans
- Endowments
- Promotion of religious beliefs
- Promotion of political party objectives
- Work outside Tāmaki Makaurau and Te Tai Tokerau
- Projects from organisations currently receiving Foundation North funding
Why This Fund Matters
Takatāpui, MVPFAFF+ and rainbow communities may experience barriers related to inclusion, wellbeing, visibility, safety, access to services, and community participation.
This fund matters because it supports projects shaped by the needs of these communities. It gives not-for-profit groups and organisations the opportunity to deliver practical, inclusive, and culturally responsive activities that strengthen wellbeing and connection.
By supporting advocacy, arts, sport, culture, education, support services, and community-led programming, the fund helps communities build stronger networks and respond to local priorities.
How the Fund Works
The fund works by supporting eligible not-for-profit groups and organisations to deliver projects that benefit takatāpui, MVPFAFF+ and rainbow communities.
The process includes:
- Applicants identify a specific community need.
- Applicants design a project that responds to that need.
- The project must take place in Tāmaki Makaurau or Te Tai Tokerau.
- Applicants select the appropriate funding tier.
- The application explains the project activities, target communities, expected benefits, and regional relevance.
- Foundation North reviews applications based on eligibility, community need, project design, and expected impact.
- Successful applicants receive support to implement their project.
How to Apply
Applicants should prepare a clear application that explains the need, target community, project activities, budget, and expected benefits.
Application Preparation Steps
- Confirm organisational eligibility
Applicants should ensure they are a not-for-profit group or organisation carrying out charitable work. - Check Foundation North funding status
Applicants must confirm they are not currently receiving Foundation North funding. - Confirm regional eligibility
The project must take place in Tāmaki Makaurau or Te Tai Tokerau. - Identify the community need
Applicants should explain the specific need within takatāpui, MVPFAFF+ or rainbow communities. - Describe the target population
The application should clearly state which community or communities will benefit from the project. - Explain the project response
Applicants should show how the proposed activities will address the identified need. - Select the funding tier
Applicants should choose up to $20,000 for smaller projects or up to $65,000 for larger projects. - Prepare a realistic budget
The budget should clearly show how the funding will be used to deliver the project. - Show community benefit
Applicants should explain the expected outcomes for wellbeing, inclusion, participation, support, advocacy, or community connection. - Avoid ineligible costs
Applicants should ensure the request does not include retrospective funding, fundraising, debt repayment, loan refinancing, endowments, religious promotion, or political party promotion.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid submitting applications that do not clearly show community need or regional benefit.
Common mistakes include:
- Not identifying a specific community need
- Failing to explain how the project responds to that need
- Applying for work outside Tāmaki Makaurau or Te Tai Tokerau
- Applying while currently receiving Foundation North funding
- Requesting retrospective funding
- Requesting support for fundraising activities
- Including debt repayment or loan refinancing costs
- Not clearly describing the target community
- Providing a weak or unclear project budget
- Not explaining how the project will benefit takatāpui, MVPFAFF+ or rainbow communities
- Selecting a funding tier that does not match the project scope
Tips for a Strong Application
A strong application should be community-led, inclusive, practical, and clearly connected to identified needs.
Applicants should:
- Clearly define the community need
- Show how the need was identified
- Explain who will benefit and how
- Demonstrate strong links with takatāpui, MVPFAFF+ or rainbow communities
- Keep the project design realistic and achievable
- Choose the correct funding tier
- Include a clear and justified budget
- Show how the project supports wellbeing and inclusion
- Explain how activities will be delivered in Tāmaki Makaurau or Te Tai Tokerau
- Avoid unsupported or ineligible costs
- Use clear language that reflects the community purpose of the project
Key Terms Explained
Takatāpui
Takatāpui is a Māori term often used to describe Māori people with diverse sexualities, genders, and sex characteristics, while also carrying cultural and whakapapa-based meaning.
MVPFAFF+
MVPFAFF+ is an acronym used to recognise diverse Pacific gender and sexuality identities, including Mahu, Vakasalewalewa, Palopa, Fa’afafine, Akava’ine, Fakaleiti, Fakafifine and other related identities.
Rainbow Communities
Rainbow communities is an inclusive term for people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, and sex characteristics.
Community-Identified Need
A community-identified need is an issue, gap, priority, or opportunity recognised by the community itself rather than imposed externally.
Not-for-Profit Group
A not-for-profit group is an organisation that works for community, charitable, cultural, social, or public benefit rather than private profit.
Retrospective Funding
Retrospective funding means funding for costs that have already been incurred or activities that have already taken place.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Foundation North Fund for takatāpui, MVPFAFF+ and rainbow communities?
It is a funding opportunity supporting projects that respond to community-identified needs within takatāpui, MVPFAFF+ and rainbow communities in Tāmaki Makaurau and Te Tai Tokerau.
Who can apply?
Not-for-profit groups and organisations carrying out charitable work in Tāmaki Makaurau and Te Tai Tokerau can apply.
What regions are eligible?
The funding is only available for work taking place in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland, and Te Tai Tokerau, Northland.
How much funding is available?
Applicants may request up to $20,000 for smaller projects or up to $65,000 for larger projects.
What types of projects can be supported?
The fund can support events, programmes, advocacy initiatives, community groups, support services, arts, sport, culture, and education-based activities.
Can organisations currently receiving Foundation North funding apply?
No. Applications are open to organisations that are not currently receiving Foundation North funding.
What must applicants demonstrate?
Applicants must identify a specific need within takatāpui, MVPFAFF+ or rainbow communities and clearly explain how the project will address it.
Does the fund support retrospective costs?
No. Retrospective funding is not supported.
Can funding be used for fundraising activities?
No. Fundraising activities are not eligible for support.
What costs or activities are excluded?
The fund does not support debt repayment, refinancing of existing loans, endowments, promotion of religious beliefs, or promotion of political party objectives.
Conclusion
The Foundation North Fund supports not-for-profit groups and organisations working with takatāpui, MVPFAFF+ and rainbow communities in Tāmaki Makaurau and Te Tai Tokerau. By funding smaller and larger projects that respond to community-identified needs, the fund helps strengthen wellbeing, inclusion, advocacy, cultural participation, education, support services, and community connection across these regions.
For more information, visit Rule Foundation.
