Otago Community Trust

Dates

No fixed rounds: apply any time.

What it funds

• Cultural, social, sporting, environmental and community projects (Community Response Grants)
• Projects, programmes, facilities, services and events

What it will not fund

• Capital funds, endowments or debt retirement
• Retrospective funding
• Government responsibilities
• Core curriculum delivery into schools
• Feasibility studies, QS or architectural drawings
• Fundraisers
• Individuals
• International travel
• Legal costs
• Core operational expenses (salaries)
• Overseas aid
• Religious or political objectives
• Uniforms for over 18s
• Loss of income

Good to know

Allow 6 to 10 weeks, and apply three months before an event. No meetings in November or January. Unincorporated groups can get up to $1,000.

Ten grants meetings a year (none in November or January); apply any time and allow 6 to 10 weeks, and submit event applications three months ahead. The October 2026 meeting is closed and December is open.

Checklist

What Otago Community Trust says you need:

• Not-for-profit organisation operating in Otago
• Bank verified account details
• Annual financial statements no more than 18 months old
• Bank statements for all accounts
• One grant per April to March year

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.

• We have 10 grants meetings each year at Otago Community Trust, which means you can apply for a grant at any time BUT, we can’t fund mahi that has already happened.oct.org.nz/funding/apply-for-funding/how-to-apply · read 15 October 2026
• December - OPENoct.org.nz/funding/apply-for-funding/how-to-apply · read 15 October 2026
• Please note: We do not have meetings in November or January.oct.org.nz/funding/apply-for-funding/how-to-apply · read 15 October 2026
• We support organisations who work in our five regions - North Otago, Central Otago, South Otago, Greater Dunedin and the Wānaka ward of the Queenstown Lakes district.oct.org.nz/funding/what-we-fund/who-we-fund · read 15 October 2026
• An incorporated society or a registered Charitable Trust - check your registration at Societies & Trustsoct.org.nz/funding/what-we-fund/who-we-fund · read 15 October 2026
• A non-legal (non-incorporated) entity which may apply for a grant of up to $1,000oct.org.nz/funding/what-we-fund/who-we-fund · read 15 October 2026
• Grants are awarded for a wide range of cultural, social, sporting, environmental and / or community projects around Otago.oct.org.nz/funding/how-we-fund/community-response-grants · read 15 October 2026
• Core operational expenses (i.e. salaries);oct.org.nz/funding/what-we-do-not-fund · read 15 October 2026
• Most recent Annual Financial Statements these must not be more than 18 months oldoct.org.nz/funding/apply-for-funding/how-to-apply · read 15 October 2026

Report a mistake

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