Kiwifruit Growers Community Fund

The newly established Kiwifruit Growers Community Fund which covers Kiwifruit Orchards across the Whakatāne region has been established initially with the aim to provide educational opportunities and opportunities for youth.

With growers choosing a contribution of 1 or 2 cents per tray of export fruit to build the fund held by the Eastern Bay Community Foundation.

This fund will be a hybrid fund- supporting both immediate and long-term goals and has been borne out of a desire by local growers to support and grow their community and its facilities.

The fund will be directed towards projects which create opportunities to grow and build a strong, resilient community.

The Growers representative committee will meet regularly throughout the year to consider applications to the fund.

Fund launched in late 2025

Funding applications

There are two funding rounds each year with applications due in End of May and the end of September.

Applications to this fund are for small projects under $2,000 within the Whakatāne district.

Applications close at the end of May and the end of September and will be reviewed at the committee meeting the following month.

If you are planning a larger project, please get in contact with the EBCF office and we will arrange for you to speak with the Growers Representative committee.

The growers representative committee will meet quarterly throughout the year and consists of grower representatives, Community Foundation trustees and two community representatives. The Committee meets to consider applications and after due diligence, and site visits, make a recommendation to the Foundation Board of Trustees who will ratify the decisions. One ratified the grants will be paid out in the first week of the following month. All successful applicants are required to attend the Round Table Reporting in Whakatāne in February of each year.

In exceptional circumstances we may be able to accept applications outside of these application dates and encourage you to get in contact with the Eastern Bay Community Foundation.