Apply for a grant

Applications for the 2026 Grants Round will be open from 1 September to 30 November 2025.  

The Trustees Grants Meeting, at which all applications are considered, is usually held around February/March following the application closing date of 30 November. Grants are usually paid out by the end of April. 

If you have any questions that aren’t answered below or on the FAQs page, feel free to come along to our grants information drop-in sessions (click here for details) or email coordinator@sargoodbequest.org.nz.

Eligibility 

• Fundseekers and their beneficiaries must be based in New Zealand

• Fundseekers do not need to be a registered charity or not-for-profit, but they must demonstrate high standards of integrity and ethical conduct, with the capacity to manage funds effectively and deliver lasting community benefit

• Requests must be for specific equipment, infrastructure, services, capacity building or operational support (excluding ongoing wages/salaries)    

• Requests must not be retrospective. We do not fund any expenses that have already been paid for or events that have taken place prior to the Trustees’ review in March of the year following the application

Funding Criteria

The Sargood Bequest prioritises funding for organisations that have a direct and tangible impact at a local level. As such, we do not typically fund national charities or organisations, or large, well-resourced projects and programmes. We focus on organisations where modest funding can make a meaningful difference, particularly those that may currently have limited access to other funding sources.  

We encourage applications from groups and initiatives that: 

• Have funding requests typically under $5000 with clear, targeted use of funds 

• Grow connection, resilience, and self-determination across people, places, and culture 

• Are community-focused – responsive to and rooted in the community they serve 

• Prioritise collaboration to enhance reach and impact, involving genuine partnerships

• Align with our values and focus areas

We do not fund: 

• Wages or salaries for day-to-day staffing (project-specific specialist/contracted support may be considered)

• International travel or activities taking place outside New Zealand 

• Initiatives that are primarily for commercial gain 

• Individuals, unless the application clearly demonstrates wider benefit to the community 

• Activities or expenses that have already taken place (retrospective grants) 

Application guidelines

To help us understand your project and how this funding would support it, please consider the following in your application: 

• Explain how the request will create practical, tangible impact 

• Show evidence of community connection and a collaborative approach and demonstrate how your project aligns with our values of Access, Participation and Inspiration 

• Let us know what’s already in place and how this funding would enable or unlock progress 

• Include photos, visuals or links – these help us see your work in action and understand the context 

• Be clear and specific about how the funds will be used, even if your budget is simple

• Please indicate in your budget whether the request is for full or partial funding, and detail any fundraising already undertaken

• Quotes help us understand how this grant fits into your budget 

• If you don’t have formal financial statements, please upload whatever records you do have (e.g. spreadsheet, bank statements, summary of income/expenses). We’re looking for a picture of your organisation’s financial position so we can understand your capacity to deliver the project and how the funding fits in. 

If applying as an individual: 

• Outline the benefit to the wider community of the project and funding 

• Attach two referee documents under “Supporting documentation” 

• Provide income and financial information (e.g. IRD proof of income letter, copies of tax returns or similar records). This will be from the parent/caregiver if applying on behalf of a child

• Attach a budget and quotes to explain the amount requested, including details of personal fundraising efforts and other funding received or applied for 

Please note there is a total file size limit of 100MB on the application form. If you have any larger files to submit (e.g. videos), please upload a separate document containing links to access them.