2026 Grant Application Guidelines

The Eastern Bay of Plenty Community Foundation is an independent, local, not-for-profit charitable trust whose main role is to encourage charitable giving in the Ōpōtiki, Whakatāne and Kawerau Districts.

We provide specialist fund management and grant-making expertise to a variety of local people who want to contribute to our communities, not just now, but well into the future.

A Community Foundation's available funding is donor driven with named beneficiaries. At times, there are other funds that are available to registered charities, incorporated societies, other organisations with donor status and individuals applying for scholarships.

As the EBCF grows, the funding we have available will support a wider range of kaupapa and communities across the Eastern Bay of Plenty. We encourage you to subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed about upcoming grant rounds.

Annual Funding Round

EBCF now offers one annual grant round, which brings available funds together into a single, streamlined process.

Applications for funding can include capital expenditure; operating, programme, and fundraising costs; travel and accommodation. Grants made for these purposes are unlikely to be more than $5,000.

Please provide as much information as possible in your application, including a cover letter.

1-30 JUNE:

JULY / AUGUST:

Grants round is open for applications

Applications are reviewed by the grants and distribution committee. Additional information may be requested, particularly from first-time applicants

AUGUST:

Funding decisions are finalised and communicated to applicants. We aim to distribute grants by the end of the month.

Applications can be made online via our online grants portal.

You can find the portal link, together with more information about the application process here:

www.ebcf.nz/apply

All applications must be made via the portal.

Eligibility Criteria and Information

Applications for funding must have a charitable purpose or purposes, and be beneficial to the community in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.
Request exclusions would include political parties, diverse religious activities, emergency relief (except where a major crisis affects part of or all of the Eastern Bay of Plenty), activities outside of the region, retrospective projects.
The Eastern Bay Community Foundation may accept applications outside of the Annual Grant Round if they are time sensitive or urgent. Specific dates may change from year to year if required.
A set of financial accounts must be included with your application.
Recipients are expected to recognise the Eastern Bay Community Foundation and any donor funds in their external communications.
Recipients will provide a receipt, updates and photographs of funded projects throughout the year for marketing and public relations purposes.
All information included in any application will be treated with utmost confidentiality by the Eastern Bay Community Foundation staff and Trustees. Please refer to our Privacy Policy here.