Lottery Community Grants are now open
Published on July 28, 2026 by Trish Given
Kia ora koutou,
We hope you're all keeping warm through the middle of winter!
We wanted to check in and let you know about a funding opportunity that many of our Collectives may be eligible for.
Lottery Community Grants are now open
Applications opened 22 July and close on 18 August 2026.
If you're planning to apply for Lottery Community Grant funding through Gift Collective, below is some important information to help with your application.
Please take the time to read the eligibility criteria carefully and make sure your kaupapa aligns with the purpose of the fund.
We hope you're all keeping warm through the middle of winter!
We wanted to check in and let you know about a funding opportunity that many of our Collectives may be eligible for.
Lottery Community Grants are now open
Applications opened 22 July and close on 18 August 2026.
If you're planning to apply for Lottery Community Grant funding through Gift Collective, below is some important information to help with your application.
Please take the time to read the eligibility criteria carefully and make sure your kaupapa aligns with the purpose of the fund.
Applying through Gift Collective
As your fundholder, there are a few important things to remember:
- Please send your completed application to us well before the closing date - Tuesday 11 August at the latest - so our team has time to review it and provide feedback.
- We submit Lottery Community Grant applications to the portal on your behalf.
- Funding requests made through a fundholder are currently capped at $10,000 for Collectives.
- If this is your first Lottery Community Grant application, we also recommend speaking with a Community Advisor at the Department of Internal Affairs before applying.
As you can imagine, this is one of the busiest funding rounds of the year, with many Collectives preparing applications. Giving us plenty of time to review your application will help ensure we can provide the best support possible.
*If you don’t submit your application to us by 11 August we won't be able to submit it on time.
Applications should demonstrate how your project contributes to one or more of the following outcomes:
*If you don’t submit your application to us by 11 August we won't be able to submit it on time.
Applications should demonstrate how your project contributes to one or more of the following outcomes:
- Building strong, sustainable communities
- Increasing opportunities for social, recreational, civic or cultural participation
- Supporting community and environmental wellbeing
- Developing and preserving New Zealand's arts, culture, heritage and identity
- Supporting sport and recreation
The fund can support a range of activities, including:
- Operational costs
- Community projects
- Community facilities
- Equipment that supports participation by people with disabilities
Build a relationship with the funder
As with all funding applications, we strongly encourage you to introduce yourself to the funder before applying. Having a conversation with a Community Advisor can help you determine whether your project is a good fit and strengthen your application.
If you have any questions, or would like us to review your application before submission, please get in touch.
Ngā mihi,
The Gift Collective Team
As with all funding applications, we strongly encourage you to introduce yourself to the funder before applying. Having a conversation with a Community Advisor can help you determine whether your project is a good fit and strengthen your application.
If you have any questions, or would like us to review your application before submission, please get in touch.
Ngā mihi,
The Gift Collective Team