Let’s talk about all thing funding
Do you have an idea that would benefit from funding? Does your idea support our community?
Here at the trust, we are often asked about funding:
1. Does the Three Lakes Cultural Trust do external funding?
2. If not, where can I go for funding?
To answer the first question, the Three Lakes Cultural Trust does not currently provide funding. Our role is to enable, support and connect our arts and culture community while fulfilling our obligations within the district’s first-ever cultural masterplan.
In response to the second query, there are lots of organisations where you can apply for funding! To find out more, keep on reading. There are many funding organisations out there, so we encourage you to do your own research as well.
If you do decide to apply, here are a few helpful tips:
Thoroughly read the funding organisations criteria and what paperwork is required before commencing.
Some organisations have funding calendars, while others fund throughout the year. Take note of important dates.
Follow the funding organisation on social media, as this is often where funding opportunities are announced.
The funding organisation is there to help, so if you need assistance, pick up the phone or send them an email.
GOVERNMENT FUNDING
Creative New Zealand (which is a Crown entity governed by the Arts Council) encourages, promotes and supports the arts in NZ through funding, capability building, an international programme and advocacy.
They offer a variety of opportunities including funding for emerging and established artists, art practitioners, groups and organisations. Funding is scheduled throughout the year with set deadlines, noted on their online calendar. Check out their funding guidelines.
Ministry of Heritage and Culture provides advice on arts, culture, heritage and broadcasting issues in consultation with government ministers.
In addition to funding, they review legislation, major policy proposals and developments that have significance to the sector.
Funding is scheduled throughout the year and is for specific purposes. Find out more here.
The Department of Internal Affairs Hāpai Hapori Community Operations offer a range of funding streams, including Lottery, Crown and Trust grants.
Their funding opportunities are across a range of fields, including the arts.
Some of the grants are open at all times, while others are offered at set dates. Make sure to check out their funding calendar.
ONLINE RESOURCE
Generosity, an online resource providing information about funding plus a comprehensive list of funders. Their database is broken down into three areas – GiveUS, GivME and GivER.
You usually need a paid subscription, but you can access Generosity for free via the Queenstown Lakes District Libraries.
GiveUS database lists more than 1200 resource schemes for communities, volunteer organisations and clubs. You can search via specific criteria to make your searching easier.
GiveME database offers access to more than 4,000 scholarships and grants available for individuals.
GiveER connects businesses with community groups to achieve positive social impacts.
FUNDING OPTIONS IN OUR REGION
There is a range of regional fundings options available. From events, scholarships to charities, take a look at all the options available. Make sure to have a thorough read of what they fund and what information you need to provide, before starting your application.
QLDC Community Funding – The Creative Communities Scheme works to strengthen the local art community. Projects that receive funding do at least one of the following: encourage participation, support diversity, or enable young people. They have two funding rounds per year, one in February and one in August. Here is the Application Guide.
QLDC Community Funding – Central Lakes Support Scheme (CLASS) – If you have a project that supports participation in the arts and the diversity of arts available to the community, you can apply for funding up to $2,000. Check it out here.
QLDC Community Funding – Events Funding – A commitment to supporting a balanced portfolio of events across the district. This includes providing an annual contestable events fund that is open for both commercial and community events. The Application process is in April.
Community Arts Council – Creative Queenstown is part of the Creative Communities Scheme of Creative New Zealand.
Community Arts Council – Central Otago District Arts Trust – is a regional non-profit organisation based in Central Otago that supports artists and the arts.
Community Arts Council – Upper Clutha Community Arts Council – Their aim is to increase both participation and the range of diversity of arts in our community through the funding of eligible projects.
Central Lakes Trust is a charitable trust supporting our community by granting funds for charitable purposes throughout the Central Lakes district. The trust is the largest philanthropic trust per capita in the Southern Hemisphere. Here’s what they fund.
Otago Community Trust is a philanthropic organisation that applies its Trust funds for charitable and other purposes which are of benefit to the community. They provide grants to not-for-profit community groups and projects that make a positive contribution to Otago communities. Here’s what they fund.
Community Trust South help a wide range of groups and people here in the South every year by distributing millions of dollars in grants, scholarships and community loans. Here’s what they fund.
GAMING TRUSTS
Gaming Trusts run gaming operations that in turn, generate funds for the community. Make sure to read the criteria, as you often need to be a registered charity to apply.
New Zealand Community Trust has distributed almost $22m to Kiwi communities so far this year. Funds are generated from pub gaming machines and donated to charitable causes. How to apply.
The Lion Foundation is one of New Zealand’s oldest and most respected Charitable Trusts. Since 1988 they have returned over $950 million back to the community, supporting thousands of good causes all around New Zealand. How to apply.
Aotearoa Gaming Trust (formerly The Southern Trust) has distributed over $327 into the New Zealand community since 1998. How to apply.
PHILANTHROPIC TRUSTS & FOUNDATIONS
The Arts Foundation Future Fund provides a $1,000 koha for artists to kickstart their own crowdfunding campaigns, raising funds for their work on Boosted.org.nz. For every Boosted project that reaches $1,000 the Future Fund will donate an additional $1,000 (conditions apply).
The Arts Foundation Springboard Programme aims to kickstart arts careers for up to seven artists in Aotearoa every year. Recipients are gifted $15,000, alongside a partnership with a senior artist mentor.
Impact100 Wakatipu seeks to benefit communities of the Wakatipu Basin by annually awarding at least one high-impact grant to fund innovative, meaningful projects across a range of sectors (including arts and culture).
SKYCITY Queenstown Casino Community Trust is a philanthropic funder providing funding for the Queenstown Central Lakes communities. SKYCITY offers grants to support services and programmes that focus on the wellbeing and resilience of our communities and rangatahi. Here’s what they fund.
WILLS AND TRUSTS
The Hugo Charitable Trust has donated more than $12m over it’s first four years. Find out more about them here.
CORPORATE FUNDING
The Harcourts Foundation has raised over $6 million since 2008, has assisted hundreds of charitable organisations throughout Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA, and has helped literally thousands of people in need. To apply in New Zealand, click here.
The Mazda Foundation Trust was established in 2005 as a public charitable trust to provide assistance to a broad cross–section of worthy charitable entities, causes and individuals throughout New Zealand that qualify for income tax deductibility. Here are their grant guidelines.
The Bayleys Foundation has a strong history of supporting hundreds of community organisations, schools, sports teams, cultural events, and not for profit charities across the length and breadth of New Zealand.
The Foodstuffs (South Island) Community Trust was established in 2007 to help communities and people thrive. From schools and sports clubs to community organisations and individuals, they’re here to help make life better for South Islanders through funding grants.
CROWDFUNDING
The majority of projects require multiple avenues to generate funds. Another option is crowdfunding.
Crowdfunding is when small amounts of capital from a large number of individuals are used to finance a new business venture or project. This is usually managed through specific crowdfunding websites and marketed through social media channels. Here are a few popular options with arts in mind:
Boosted, run by the Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi, is the home of creative crowdfunding in Aotearoa as they are dedicated to the arts sector. With almost 1300 successful projects, they are certainly an option to consider.
PledgeMe reaches across all sectors, and to date, have had more than $62m pledges.
The Funding Network works with small, local Kiwi charities that are trying to change the world we live in. They offer live crowdfunding events, online and in-person, that encourage thoughtful philanthropy, connecting their audience with the work of grassroots charities.
A FINAL WORD ON FUNDING
As mentioned above, there are many funding organisations throughout New Zealand, we have only captured some. We do encourage you to do your own research to ensure you find the right funding model for your project or idea.
We have tried our best to list as many funding sources as we could in relation to the arts, but if you come across a funding source or if you are a funding entity that we missed, please let us know. We will continue to update this list over time.
Document last edited: September 2021
Posted: 12 Septembert 2021
