Community Matching Fund

Council-matched funding for community-led neighbourhood projects — small grants up to $5,000 processed year-round, large grants up to $20,000 once a year.

Closes

Small grants: applications accepted year-round until the fund is fully allocated. Large grants: opened 1 July 2026, closed 4 September 2026, decisions by 1 November 2026

Who can apply

Read on the council's guidelines, quoted verbatim: the project must "be within the Rotorua District," be "community-led," be "initiated, planned and implemented by people living in the Rotorua district," and "provide local public benefit and is free and open to all members of the public." Not funded: "individual persons, individual businesses or government agencies," schools without a clear neighbourhood benefit, or ratepayers associations and political groups.

Amount

Small: $50 to $5,000 per project. Large: $5,001 to $20,000 per project. Council matches the value of what the community contributes — volunteer time (valued at $15/hour), donated professional services ($65/hour), donated materials, or cash

Funding route

Grant

Applicants

Community groups, Marae & hapū, Organisations & providers, Iwi & Māori organisations

Before you apply

One of the nine Council outcomes a project can align with is named explicitly: "Ngā Wawata O Te Tangata Whenua / Mana Whenua Aspirations" — Council states it will "recognise and support the aspirations of Tangata Whenua/Mana Whenua and partner to grow economic and social opportunities and benefits for everyone." A project doesn't need to tick every outcome, just one.

"Groups that are not legal entities may appoint a fiscal sponsor/umbrella organisation" — relevant if a marae or hapū group without incorporated status wants to apply. Large-grant applications are scored out of 100 across four criteria: proposed idea (30), neighbourhood involvement (30), outcomes (10), and project readiness (30). Funding cannot cover retrospective costs, vehicles, alcohol, land purchase, or day-to-day operating costs of an existing group. Contact Mike Cockin, Funding and Sponsorship Advisor, 07 351 8180, communityfunding@rotorualc.nz.

Official source →

Checked 16 September 2026

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Details change without notice. Check the funder's own page before you apply. Tōku Waka does not administer, assess or award this funding.