The Lion Foundation

Dates

No fixed rounds: apply any time.

What it funds

• Community, arts, culture, heritage purposes
• Goods and equipment
• Rent
• Utilities/operating expenses
• Salaries (low priority)

What it will not fund

• Retrospective costs
• Unfilled positions

Good to know

Salaries are a low priority. Grants go to areas within about 5 km of a Lion Foundation venue.

No close-off dates; NPC meets monthly except January. Allow at least 8-10 weeks for a decision. Successful applicants funded once every 12 months.

Checklist

What Lion Foundation says you need:

• Incorporated at least one full financial year
• Financial accounts less than 18 months old

Common things funders ask for, worth having ready:

• What exactly is the money for, and when will you spend it?
• How much do you need, and do you have quotes under three months old?
• Who benefits, and how many people?
• Your legal name, registration number and bank account in the group's name.
• A committee or board decision approving the application (some funders want a signed resolution).
• Your latest financial statements or annual return.
• Other funders you have applied to for the same thing.

Ticks are saved on this device only.

Sources

What we relied on, in the funder's own words.

• TLF receives and processes applications all year round. There are no close off dates.lionfoundation.nz/step-1-before-you-apply · read 14 October 2026
• The general principle applied by TLF’s NPC is that organisations should be located within a 5km radius of a venue.lionfoundation.nz/step-1-before-you-apply · read 14 October 2026
• All applications are submitted via the online portal developed and maintained by COMS Systems Limited.lionfoundation.nz/step-1-before-you-apply · read 14 October 2026
• Organisations that wish to apply for funding should have been incorporated for at least one complete financial year.lionfoundation.nz/apply-for-funding · read 14 October 2026
• health, education, sports and community (which includes arts, culture, heritage and environment)lionfoundation.nz/ready-to-apply · read 14 October 2026
• + Purchase of item/s or goods– two competitive quotes per item are required.lionfoundation.nz/ready-to-apply · read 14 October 2026

Report a mistake

Spot something wrong? Reporting opens when the site launches. Until then, check the funder's own page linked above.