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.
Need a hand? Check out our step-by-step instructions for navigating the grants portal here.
1-30 JUNE:
Grants round is open for applications
JULY / AUGUST:
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:
All applications must be made via the portal (instructions here).
Thank you to our generous donors for making these funds available to the community.
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.
Terms and Conditions (Summary)
Grant recipients must:
Use funds only for the approved purpose and within the approved timeframe
Return any unspent funds
Complete accountability reporting as required
Inform Eastern Bay Community Fund of any significant organisational changes
Failure to meet grant conditions may result in repayment being required
Funds Available -
Annual Grant Round 2026
The following funds may be available within the annual grant round:
To benefit children’s education, reading recovery, environmental sustainability work
Grants: Up to $2,000
Ensuring voluntary organisations in the Ōpōtiki District who save lives, are able to utilise grants to keep their communication and life- saving equipment up to date and in good working order.
Grants: Up to $2,000
To support Youth, Dyslexia, Surf lifesaving, Conservation
Grants: Up to $2,000
To provide support into a wide range of community activities.
Grants: Up to $2,000
Supporting mental health initiatives in our EBOP community
Grants: Up to $5,000
Supporting education and Community in Opotiki
Grants: Up to $500
FAQ
Who can apply for funding from the Eastern Bay Community Foundation?
Charities, organisations and community groups based in the Eastern Bay of Plenty or who deliver services in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.
Requests may include salaries, operating costs, equipment, resources, programme costs, travel and accommodation. Grants made for these purposes are unlikely to be more than $5,000.
Request exclusions: political parties, diverse religious activities, activities outside the Eastern Bay of Plenty regional boundaries and emergency relief (except where a major crisis affects all or part of the communities within the region), retrospective projects.
When can I apply for funding?
Grant applications are open From June 1st to June 30th each Year.
Applications may be accepted outside the grant/scholarship round if they are time critical or urgent.
How do I apply for funding?
Fill out an application form. You'll also need to supply:
verified bank account details
copy of accounts, set of audited accounts should be included with each application.
cover letter and more information about project/programme details if you think it will assist your application
Charities services or incorporated society number (if applicable)
You can find step-by-step instructions on the application process here.
Who has received funding in the past?
See below for past awardees.
What else should I consider?
Grant recipients are requested to recognise the source of all funding from EBCF or a Named Donor Fund in their external communications, including social media, newsletters, press releases, websites etc.) A copy of our logo should be requested.
Grant recipients will provide a receipt and updates/photos of their funded project or activity throughout the year for marketing and PR purposes.
Successful grant recipients will be required to physically attend a 'round table reporting' meeting in Opotiki or Whakatane, in February or March each year to update the Eastern Bay Community Foundation on the progress made with the funds granted.
Do you have any scholarships?
Yes we also provide scholarships, see our scholarships page for more info.
Find us:
15 George Street, Whakatāne
PO Box 435, Whakatāne 3159
Email: admin@ebcf.nz
Call: 021 336 226
