August 2026 Newsletter - Funding Applications & Bank Account Changes
Published on August 4, 2026 by Trish Given
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Kia ora koutou,
Welcome to our August newsletter.
The past few months have been incredibly busy, with funding applications keeping both our Collectives and our team on our toes. We've also welcomed a number of new Collectives to Gift Collective, so a very warm welcome to everyone who has recently joined our whānau.
This month's newsletter focuses on funding applications and a number of important reminders that will help ensure the process runs smoothly for everyone. This is a long but important newsletter and we'd really appreciate you taking a few minutes to read through it.
Funding
Before You Apply for Funding:
Not every funder works with umbrella organisations, so before preparing an application we recommend you:
Not every funder works with umbrella organisations, so before preparing an application we recommend you:
- Contact the funder directly and build a relationship with your local funding advisors and attend funder forums where possible.
- Confirm they accept fundholder organisations and confirm they accept Gift Collective's 8% administration fee.
- Clarify whether the application should be submitted by Gift Collective or by your Collective. Sometimes it can take several days to be registered on a funding portal.
Funding Applications
Please remember that all funding applications need to be reviewed by the Gift Collective team before they are submitted.
To allow enough time for feedback and any required changes, please send your application to us at least one week before the funding deadline - [email protected]
Fundsorter
If you haven't explored Fundsorter yet, it's a fantastic AI tool for identifying funding opportunities that match your project. It can save hours of research and help you discover grants you may not have known existed. You can do a free trial for your first application and we do offer a significant discount to Collectives to access fundsorter - get in touch if you want more information.
To allow enough time for feedback and any required changes, please send your application to us at least one week before the funding deadline - [email protected]
Fundsorter
If you haven't explored Fundsorter yet, it's a fantastic AI tool for identifying funding opportunities that match your project. It can save hours of research and help you discover grants you may not have known existed. You can do a free trial for your first application and we do offer a significant discount to Collectives to access fundsorter - get in touch if you want more information.
Upcoming Webinar Series
Over 3 weeks we're running three practical lunchtime webinars designed to support Collectives with funding (Dates to be confirmed).
- How to Write a Strong Funding Application - Learn what funders are looking for, common mistakes to avoid, and practical tips to improve your applications.
- Realistic Budgeting - Develop budgets that accurately reflect your project and give funders confidence that your funding request is achievable.
- Accountability Reporting - Reporting back to funders is just as important as receiving funding. We'll walk through what good accountability looks like and how to make reporting easier.
You can attend yourself or someone from your team to attend. We'll send registration details shortly.
Lottery Funding and Changes to Lottery Grants
The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has announced significant changes to the Lottery Grants funding system. The changes are intended to simplify funding, support more strategic investment and make the system easier for community organisations to navigate.
Gift Collective Can Continue to Act as Your Fundholder
One of the most important updates is that organisations which are not legal entities may still be able to access some Lottery Grants funding through a fundholder, there is a cap of $10,000.
This means many Gift Collective Collectives remain eligible to apply under our charitable umbrella, provided your project meets the criteria for the specific fund.
Current Lottery Fund Round - Round 1
There is a funding round currently open - here is the link for more information.
PLEASE read the criteria carefully and funding is available for:
Gift Collective Can Continue to Act as Your Fundholder
One of the most important updates is that organisations which are not legal entities may still be able to access some Lottery Grants funding through a fundholder, there is a cap of $10,000.
This means many Gift Collective Collectives remain eligible to apply under our charitable umbrella, provided your project meets the criteria for the specific fund.
Current Lottery Fund Round - Round 1
There is a funding round currently open - here is the link for more information.
PLEASE read the criteria carefully and funding is available for:
- Operational costs
- Community projects
- Community facilities (such as venue hire through Gift Collective)
- Equipment for people with disabilities
**PLEASE CHOOSE ONE - we need to know this before we can access the funding questions.
If you're planning to apply:
- Allow Gift Collective at least one week's notice for us to review your application before submission. Please get draft applications to us by Tuesday 11 August - PLEASE NOTE - if we do not receive by this date we will not be able to submit your application.
- If this is your first Lottery Grants application, we strongly encourage you to speak with your local DIA Community Advisor before applying.Community Advisors can be contacted on 0800 824 824 or by emailing [email protected].
Building relationships with funders is just as important as writing a strong application. Introducing your organisation, understanding funding priorities and maintaining communication throughout your project helps build trust and can strengthen future funding opportunities.
Reminder - New Bank Account Details
As many of you will know, Gift Collective has recently changed banking providers from Kiwibank to the Bank of New Zealand (BNZ). Please ensure you use our new BNZ account details in all future funding applications and funding portals.
- Account Name: The Gift Trust
- Account Number: 02-0506-0375133-002 (If a two-digit suffix is required, please use 02.)
If you currently receive multi-year funding or have active grants, please update your payment details with funders wherever possible.
Our previous Kiwibank account remains active, so there is no immediate concern if you've already supplied those details. However, we'd appreciate all future payments being directed to our BNZ account.
If you're unsure or need assistance, please get in touch with us.
Our previous Kiwibank account remains active, so there is no immediate concern if you've already supplied those details. However, we'd appreciate all future payments being directed to our BNZ account.
If you're unsure or need assistance, please get in touch with us.
You are a part of our Collective Whānau
Although every Collective has its own kaupapa, you're all part of the wider Gift Collective community. Being part of Gift Collective means you have an experienced team here to support you and together we can learn from the experiences of other Collectives. Ultimately your successes strengthen the entire Gift Collective community.
Likewise, the actions of each Collective can have an impact on everyone else. Late accountability reports can delay funding payments to other Collectives or can affect Gift Collective's reputation with funders. And something to consider is a poor experience with one project may make funders less willing to support other Collectives under our umbrella.
We all have a shared responsibility to protect the reputation we've built together.
Housekeeping reminders:
Likewise, the actions of each Collective can have an impact on everyone else. Late accountability reports can delay funding payments to other Collectives or can affect Gift Collective's reputation with funders. And something to consider is a poor experience with one project may make funders less willing to support other Collectives under our umbrella.
We all have a shared responsibility to protect the reputation we've built together.
Housekeeping reminders:
Expenses
A quick reminder to please submit your expenses by Tuesday each week.- but the earlier you submit the better if we need to come back with any questions or if edits are needed.
This helps ensure:
• Processing on Wednesday
• Payments made by Thursday
If you need any support, please get in touch with us at [email protected].
Please note we all only work part time - our hours are:
This helps ensure:
• Processing on Wednesday
• Payments made by Thursday
If you need any support, please get in touch with us at [email protected].
Please note we all only work part time - our hours are:
- Chloe: Mon and Tues 9am-2pm; Wed and Thurs 8am-2pm
- Trish: Mon-Thurs - 8.30pm-3pm
- Katie: Tues-Fri - 9.30am-4.30pm
Thanks everyone for all your hard mahi - we know it is a very uncertain time for funding and that is a challenge for everyone. Please do reach out if you need advice or want to have a chat about things - we are here to help. Have a good week and keep warm.
Ngā mihi nui,
Trish, Chloe and Katie
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