Community funding and awards

At different times of the year, we offer awards and funding to individuals and organisations across a variety of areas. Find out what funding is available to you and information about the awards we sponsor and support.

Community Group Grants

Community Group Grants are here to help non-profit groups with funding for special projects and programmes that benefit the Waitaki community.

Creative Communities Scheme

Funding for local arts projects that benefit the Waitaki community and promote participation in the arts.

Donald & Nellye Malcolm Trust

Applications to the Donald & Nellye Malcolm Charitable Trust are invited from charitable and not-for-profit organisations in North Otago.

Creative Communities Scheme Festival Fund

The CCS Festival Fund is a one-off funding boost to support festivals that celebrate the life experiences, stories, cultures, and regional identities of New Zealanders.

Waitaki Heritage Fund

Help for heritage place owners to retain, preserve, and maintain historic buildings and sites in the district.

Waitaki Citizens' Awards

These annual awards celebrate Waitakians who go above and beyond for their community. Find out how to nominate someone great.

Sport NZ Rural Travel fund

Help your school or club sports teams participate in local sporting competitions. The Sport NZ Rural Travel Fund subsidises travel for junior teams aged 5-19 years.

Waitaki Biodiversity Fund

Our Biodiversity Fund supports landowners who are taking steps to protect and enhance indigenous biodiversity in the Waitaki District.

Waitaki Waste Minimisation Fund

The Waitaki Waste Minimisation Fund supports individuals, community groups, businesses, Iwi/Māori organisations and education providers who want to deliver a waste minimisation project for their community in the Waitaki district.

Waste Minimisation Education Fund

A small project fund to enable schools and ECE’s to carry out waste minimisation initiatives.

Stronger Waitaki funding directory

Find a list of potential funding, grants and scholarship opportunities to support people, families, community groups and service providers.

Aspiring Leaders Forum Nominations

Waitaki District Council and Otago Community Trust are offering two sponsorships for young leaders to take part in the Aspiring Leaders Forum for 2024.

Fund grant schedule

Community Group Grants

  • opens Monday 5 February 2024 -  closes Friday 8 March 2024   
  • opens Monday 29 July 2024 -  closes Saturday 7 September 2024

Creative Communities Scheme

  • opens Monday 12 February 2024 -  closes Friday 15 March 2024
  • opens Monday 5 August 2024 - closes Saturday 14 September 2024 

Donald & Nellye Malcolm Trust

  • opens Monday 5 August 2024 and closes Friday 30 August 2024

Sport NZ Rural Travel Fund

  • opens Monday 4 March 2024 and closes Friday 5 April 2024

Citizens' Awards

  • opens Monday 1 July 2024 and closes Wednesday 31 July 2024

Waitaki Heritage Fund

  • opens Monday 4 March 2024 -  closes Monday 20 May 2024
  • opens Monday 1 July 2024 - closes Friday 13 September 2024

Waitaki Biodiversity Fund

  • opens Monday 6 November 2023 - closes Friday 23 Feb 2024
  • opens Monday 1 April 2024 - closes Friday 23 August 2024

Waitaki Waste Minimisation Grant

  • opens Tuesday 30 July 2024 - closes Friday 30 August 2024

Throughout the year other potential funding and grants opportunities for our community are identified which will be published on the Stronger Waitaki Funding web page on a regular basis. This initiative has been developed by the Waitaki District Council to support our people, families, community groups and service providers, especially those impacted by COVID-19. Find a list of funding opportunities here.

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