Whangārei Communities Fund

White icon images of a paint palette and brush, three generations of people, sports balls and a tennis racket on a red background.

This fund supports local community groups with their mahi for the benefit of everyone in the Whangārei District.  These can include:

  • events
  • programmes
  • equipment purchases
  • minor operating costs
  • facility development and maintenance.

Closing date:  Apply any time. 

Successful applications meet at least one of our Community Funding Priorities:

  1. Arts, Culture, and Heritage:  To support and celebrate the history, language, culture, and arts of our diverse communities.
  2. Recreation and Sport: To support and deliver a variety of recreational and sporting opportunities for all ages, abilities, and life stages.
  3. Environment: To support initiatives that:
    • make a positive difference to our environment
    • enable kaitiakitanga of our taiao
    • raise environmental awareness
    • support resilience to climate change impacts.
  4. Community Well-being: To support initiatives that:
    • enable equitable outcomes
    • raise community resilience, participation, and connection
    • help create safe, healthy, thriving communities.

Eligibility

Eligible organisations are those that:

  • have a constitution or trust deed
  • have a bank account in the group’s name
  • have held an AGM recently in line with its rules
  • exist for not-for-profit or charitable purposes
  • do not have any existing grant obligations with us and
  • are local to the Whangārei District.

These are typically incorporated societies or charitable trusts but can include trusts established under the Māori Land Court or similar, Reserve Boards, and educational organisations.

Eligible activities that we can support are:

  • events, festivals, parades, exhibitions, tournaments, shows
  • programmes, workshops, classes, seminars
  • community facilities development and maintenance
  • minor operational or running costs for community organisations
  • the purchase of equipment for community purposes
  • community projects such as community gardens, murals, community signs, pest control, and more as aligned with our Community Funding Priorities.

How much can be applied for?

You can apply for up to $20,000 for general projects including events, programmes, operational costs, and equipment purchases, and up to $100,000 for the development of community facilities.

For all requests over $10,000 (general and facilities), co-funding of 30% of the project cost is required. This means that we will only fund 70% of the total cost.

Applications that demonstrate having the balance of funding from their own contributions or other grants will be prioritised.

For community facilities, you can apply for:

  • up to $100,000 for new builds, renovations, and maintenance
  • up to $20,000 for minor equipment purchases such as furnishings
  • up to $2,000 for facility insurance or power costs, if the facility earned less than $5,000 in income in the last year.

To access the higher levels of funding offered, you will need to have a good business case with plans, costings, quotes, photos, evidence of community support, and anything else to support your proposal.

Applications we won’t support

We will not support:

  • travel outside of the District
  • mileage reimbursements in general
  • fully catered meals (modest refreshments for workshops and working bees are fine)
  • uniforms or other clothing (PPE accepted)
  • promotional merchandise
  • conference fees
  • debt servicing, fines, or legal fees
  • trophies, awards, or prize money
  • costs that are retrospective (already incurred or committed to before funding decisions are made)
  • activities or projects:
    • where the primary purpose is to promote religious, political, or commercial activity
    • we consider to be the core business of another organisation or service provider
    • we consider to be the responsibility of central government or other agencies
    • that start before funding decisions are made and paid out
    • where there is sufficient fundraising to cover the cost of the project, such as through ticket sales or other grants received.
  • where the activity is a fundraiser for the applicant or a third party.

Supporting documents required

You will need to provide the following with your application:

  • latest financial performance report
  • proof of bank account (showing name and number)
  • quotes or other evidence of expenses.

You should also include anything useful for us to better understand what you are trying to achieve and why it is important to support.

The Funding Guide has some further advice on supporting information.

Funding Guide(PDF, 399KB)

Recently funded projects

Here are some examples of recently funded projects.  This is not a complete list - for example purposes only.

2023 - 2024 Whangarei District Council community grant examples

Recipient Project Granted
Air Training Corps No 20 Whangarei Branch Operating costs $2,000
Alzheimers Northland Community Education Workshops 2024 $3,087
Bream Bay Sports Trust Have A Go event $3,000
Bream Bay United AFC 50th Anniversary - venue hire $4,353
Bream Head Te Whara Conservation Trust Trap servicing and composting toilet $6,000
Deaf Action NZ NZSL in the community $6,000
Hikurangi Historical Museum Inc Strategic Plan development $10,000
Hikurangi Rugby Union Football Club Inc Clubroom improvements $12,237
Hukerenui Memorial Hall Electrical and heating upgrade $10,000
It's Up To You Charitable Trust Community garden irrigation $7,500
Kaurihohore Public Hall Society Tree removal and carpark upgrade $9,982
Mangakahia Sports and Community Complex Security cameras and lights $9,292
Maungakaramea Sports Club Inc Clubroom chairs and chiller $6,095
Mt Manaia Bowling Club Timber replacement on greens $2,086
Ngunguru Marae Trust Water tanks clean $10,000
Ngunguru Sports and Recreation Society Fire panel upgrade $13,000
NZ Tree Crops Association Inc NZ Tree Crops Conference Whangarei $10,855
Oakura Hall and Reserve Board Electrical upgrade $10,000
ONEONESIX Trust Music programme for disabled performers $6,240
Piroa Conservation Trust Riparian plant starter packs  $2,900
Promote Waipu Christmas Parade $5,000
Regent Community Trust Interior paint, Manaia Baptist Camp $2,938
Ruakaka Dog Rescue Trust Dog desexing programme 2024 $15,000
Ruatangata Public Hall Society Tennis courts groom $1,000
SeniorNet Bream Bay Inc Operating costs $1,000
Tai Tokerau Artisan Fashion Trust Fashion Fusion exhibitions $5,000
Taurikura Hall Reserve Board Roller blinds $3,767
Te Ora Hou Northland Children's Day Festival 2024 $3,700
The Bach (Whangarei) Inc Operating costs $2,000
Waipu Croquet Club Storage shed; mower service $11,000
Whangarei Area Neighbourhood Support New signage $3,600
Whangarei Cat Rescue Trust Cat desexing programme  $10,000
Whangarei Croquet Club Bathroom repair and repile  $15,000
Whangarei Festivals Trust Skill development workshops $6,000
Whangarei Heads Citizens Assn Chairs for hall $3,248
Whangarei Parents Centre Playground shade sail and security lighting $5,798

Apply for the Whangārei Communities Fund

Online

Step 1.Plan and prepare

  • Draft - prepare your project or activity proposal and budget.
  • Get advice - contact the Community Funding Coordinator if you are new to applying or need advice on your application.  
  • Check criteria and tips - read our Funding Guide for full criteria and tips for applying.

Funding Guide(PDF, 399KB)

Step 2.Gather documents

You will need to provide supporting documents with your application.

Supporting documents required

Step 3.Complete application

Fill in our online form and upload any supporting documents.

Whangārei Communities Fund application form 

Step 4.Assessment

We will let you know if any further information is needed and the timeframe for an outcome.

Step 5.Decision

Allow two months for a decision.

In making our funding decisions, we consider the:

  • viability of your idea
  • quality of your plan and budget
  • potential impact and benefits of your project for the participants and the community
  • equitable share of the funding amongst the four Funding Priorities, our diverse communities, and across the district.

By email

Step 1.Plan and prepare

  • Draft - prepare your project or activity proposal and budget.
  • Get advice - contact the Community Funding Coordinator if you are new to applying or need advice on your application.  
  • Check criteria and tips - read our Funding Guide for full criteria and tips for applying.

Funding Guide(PDF, 399KB)

Step 2.Gather documents

You will need to provide supporting documents with your application.

Supporting documents required

Step 3.Complete application

Download the application form, print and complete it by hand.

Whangārei Communities Fund application form(PDF, 270KB)

Step 4.Email us

Email your completed application and supporting information to:

Email: funding@wdc.govt.nz

Step 5.Assessment

We will let you know if any further information is needed and the timeframe for an outcome.

Step 6.Decision

Allow two months for a decision.

In making our funding decisions, we consider the:

  • viability of your idea
  • quality of your plan and budget
  • potential impact and benefits of your project for the participants and the community
  • equitable share of the funding amongst the four Funding Priorities, our diverse communities, and across the district.

By post

Step 1.Plan and prepare

  • Draft - prepare your project or activity proposal and budget.
  • Get advice - contact the Community Funding Coordinator if you are new to applying or need advice on your application.  
  • Check criteria and tips - read our Funding Guide for full criteria and tips for applying.

Funding Guide(PDF, 399KB)

Step 2.Gather documents

You will need to provide supporting documents with your application.

Supporting documents required

Step 3.Complete application

Download the application form, print and complete it by hand.

Whangārei Communities Fund application form(PDF, 270KB)

Step 4.Post to us

Post your completed application and supporting information to:

Attn: Community Funding Co-ordinator
Whangarei District Council 
Private Bag 9023
Te Mai
Whangārei 0143

Step 5.Assessment

We will let you know if any further information is needed and the timeframe for an outcome.

Step 6.Decision

Allow two months for a decision.

In making our funding decisions, we consider the:

  • viability of your idea
  • quality of your plan and budget
  • potential impact and benefits of your project for the participants and the community
  • equitable share of the funding amongst the four Funding Priorities, our diverse communities, and across the district.

In-person

Step 1.Plan and prepare

  • Draft - prepare your project or activity proposal and budget.
  • Get advice - contact the Community Funding Coordinator if you are new to applying or need advice on your application.  
  • Check criteria and tips - read our Funding Guide for full criteria and tips for applying.

Funding Guide(PDF, 399KB)

Step 2.Gather documents

You will need to provide supporting documents with your application.

Supporting documents required

Step 3.Complete application

Download the application form, print and complete it by hand.

Whangārei Communities Fund application form(PDF, 270KB)

Step 4.Bring into us

Bring your completed application and supporting information into one of our Customer Service centres:

Te Iwitahi
 9 Rust Avenue, Whangārei
Hours:  Monday to Friday - 8:00am to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays

Ruakākā service centre 
9 Takutai Place, Ruakākā
Hours:  Monday to Friday - 8:30am to 4:00pm
Closed public holidays

Service centre at isite
92 Otaika Road, Raumanga
Hours: Monday to Friday - 9:00am to 12:00pm and 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays

Step 5.Assessment

We will let you know if any further information is needed and the timeframe for an outcome.

Step 6.Decision

Allow two months for a decision.

In making our funding decisions, we consider the:

  • viability of your idea
  • quality of your plan and budget
  • potential impact and benefits of your project for the participants and the community
  • equitable share of the funding amongst the four Funding Priorities, our diverse communities, and across the district.

Contact us

For advice and help with your application, please contact us.

Email:  funding@wdc.govt.nz

Phone: 09 430 4200

You can use our online form to make an enquiry about our community services.

Enquire online

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