Funding opportunities

This page has information about funding opportunities and advice.

Creative Communities Scheme: arts at a local level

This scheme is a partnership between Creative New Zealand and the 74 local authorities throughout New Zealand. It aims to increase participation in the arts at a local level, and increase the range and diversity of arts available to communities. Local decision-making is the key to the scheme and applications are considered by local assessment committees. All New Zealanders are eligible to apply. If you are interested in finding out more about this scheme, please contact your local district or city council.

ASB Community Trust

ASB Community Trust makes grants to not-for-profit community groups in Auckland and Northland. Using funds from the sale of its shareholding in the Auckland Savings Bank, the Trust has granted more than $675m since it was formed in 1988. Any incorporated or charitable trust in Auckland and Northland can apply for funds, provided they are a not-for-profit organisation. For more details about applying, visit the Trust’s website.

Auckland funding directory

The Funding Directory Auckland Region 2009/2010 provides listings of sources for community, the arts, health, social services, education, sport and schools. It also has separate listings for Auckland City, Franklin, Manukau, North Shore, Papakura, Rodney and Waitakere. The directory costs $30 (plus $2.50 for postage. Click here to download the order form. 

Arts Waikato

This community arts trust, based in Hamilton, supports non-profit arts groups and the creative sector with management, funding, planning, marketing advice, advocacy and networking. It offers scholarships for professional development in the arts and covers ten local authority areas in the Greater Waikato region. For more information, visit the Arts Waikato  website or contact Renee Casserly, Community Arts Advisor (T: 07-856 9731 E: ).

Check out the Cultural Funding Guide

The Ministry for Culture and Heritage’s website has a free funding advice service, designed to help you find the best funding match for your project. It provides links to the Funding Information Service website for information on making a funding application.

For more information, email the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

Good news about BreakOut

BreakOut is a searchable database of 2200 awards, scholarships and grants for artists, students, researchers, sports people and those wanting professional development opportunities. Located on the Funding Information Service website, the database will give you the best matches to suit your needs, along with closing dates, application requirements and contact details.

You have to pay a fee or annual subscription to access this database from the Funding Information Service website. However, the good news is that every region has public libraries or other organisations where you can use BreakOut free of charge. Click here to view the locations.