Deadline: 30-Jun-2026
The Christine Taylor Foundation for Mental Health supports community-based organisations working directly with individuals experiencing mental health conditions in New Zealand.
It focuses on strengthening small-scale, grassroots mental health services and ensuring lasting community impact as it enters its final phase of operation.
Core Funding Objectives
The programme supports organisations that:
- Provide direct mental health services to individuals in distress
- Deliver early intervention and pre-employment programmes
- Offer education, support, and recreational mental health activities
- Assist families and whānau of people with mental health conditions
- Strengthen lived experience leadership in governance and management
- Support volunteer involvement in service delivery
- Strengthen small NGOs with limited external funding
Priority Areas of Support
Funding is prioritised for:
- Community-based mental health services
- Early intervention and recovery support programmes
- Family and whānau support services
- Social inclusion and rehabilitation initiatives
- Organisations led or guided by lived experience perspectives
- Small NGOs with limited government or institutional funding
Eligible Organisations
Applicants must be:
- Non-governmental organisations operating in New Zealand
- Providers of direct mental health or psychosocial support services
- Small organisations with limited external funding
- Organisations not primarily funded by government or district health boards
Preference is given to:
- Small, community-based NGOs
- Organisations with strong volunteer involvement
- Groups led by people with lived experience of mental health conditions
Funding Details
- Maximum grant per organisation: up to $15,000
- Funding base: approximately $500,000 capital base
- Annual income: around $20,000 plus donations and bequests
- Administrative costs: kept below $7,000 annually
- Operational model: volunteer board, no staff
Programme Status and Timeline
- The Foundation is in its final phase of operation
- 2026 is the last funding round
- Focus: long-term community impact before closure
Selection Criteria
Applications are assessed based on:
- Direct relevance to mental health service delivery
- Support for individuals with mental distress
- Inclusion of family and whānau support components
- Strength of lived experience leadership
- Organisational scale and funding need (preference for small NGOs)
- Clear, transparent project costs and outcomes
Why the Programme Matters
This funding is important because it:
- Strengthens grassroots mental health services in New Zealand
- Supports vulnerable individuals and families in community settings
- Promotes lived experience leadership in mental health organisations
- Helps sustain small NGOs with limited financial backing
- Improves early intervention and recovery pathways
- Leaves a legacy of community-based mental health support
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying without direct mental health service delivery
- Submitting applications from heavily government-funded organisations
- Lack of clarity on lived experience involvement
- Vague or poorly defined service outcomes
- Overly large-scale or institutional proposals
- Missing clear breakdown of project costs
Tips for a Strong Application
- Clearly demonstrate direct impact on mental health service users
- Highlight lived experience leadership roles in your organisation
- Focus on community-based and practical support services
- Show strong volunteer engagement and community reach
- Emphasize outcomes for individuals and families
- Keep proposals realistic and cost-transparent
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Christine Taylor Foundation for Mental Health?
A New Zealand foundation funding community-based mental health services.
Who can apply?
Small NGOs providing direct mental health or family support services.
How much funding is available?
Up to $15,000 per organisation.
What is the focus of funding?
Direct mental health services, early intervention, and family support.
Is this the final funding round?
Yes, 2026 is the final round of funding.
Who is prioritised?
Small, underfunded organisations with strong community and lived experience involvement.
Conclusion
The Christine Taylor Foundation for Mental Health supports small New Zealand organisations delivering essential mental health and community support services. As it enters its final funding cycle, the programme focuses on strengthening grassroots impact, promoting lived experience leadership, and ensuring continued support for individuals and families affected by mental distress.
For more information, visit Christine Taylor Foundation for Mental Health.