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Welcome to Our June Newsletter
Published on June 9, 2026 by Trish Given


Welcome to Our June Newsletter


Kia ora koutou,
Please Take a Few Minutes to Read This Month's Newsletter
There's quite a bit of useful practical information packed into this edition, including funding application tips, reporting guidance, expense reminders, and updates that will help make processes smoother for everyone.
As a small team supporting a growing number of collectives across Aotearoa, having everyone understand these requirements helps us provide the best possible support and avoid delays, confusion, or missed opportunities.
A cup of tea and a quick read is all we ask 
Thank you for being part of the Gift Collective whānau.

Webinar June 2026

It is National Volunteer Week next week we would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the incredible contribution volunteers make to our communities every day.
Volunteers are the backbone of our communities. They organise events, run programmes, support neighbours, advocate for causes, and create opportunities that simply wouldn't exist without their generosity and commitment.
To celebrate Volunteer Week, we're hosting a special webinar:

"The Power of Showing Up - Stories, Lessons and Inspiration from Community Volunteers"
Every community project starts with someone willing to show up.
Join us for an inspiring conversation with community leaders and volunteers sharing stories from the frontline of grassroots action. From neighbourhood projects and environmental initiatives to arts, culture, youth development and social services, we'll explore the power of people coming together to make a difference.
When: Thursday 25 June
Time: 6.30pm - 7.30pm
Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/F_2KueK6S0enAUJQcfYOeQ 
Expect practical insights, honest conversations, and plenty of inspiration for anyone working to strengthen their community.
"Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart." – Elizabeth Andrew

Funding - Applications, Fundsorter and Reporting

There are funding opportunities opening all the time across the motu, which is fantastic to see.
However, because applications are submitted under The Gift Trust's charitable status, it is important that we understand and approve any funding applications before they are submitted.
Applying for grants or signing a grant agreement without prior authorisation from Gift Collective is a breach of our Terms and Conditions and may result in your Collective being unhosted.
Please ensure all funding applications are shared with us for review at least one week before the closing date.
As a small team, this allows us time to:
  • Carry out due diligence
  • Review budgets and eligibility
  • Check compliance requirements
  • Strengthen applications where possible
  • Ensure alignment with charitable purposes

Fundsorter & Funding Application Tips
Many of you have recently signed up to Fundsorter, which is a fantastic tool for identifying funding opportunities.
A few practical reminders:
  • Carefully review everything Fundsorter generates.
  • Check names, dates, dollar amounts, project details and organisational information.
  • Make sure the application sounds like your group and reflects your authentic voice.
  • Read the funder's priorities, eligibility criteria and exclusions before applying.
  • Tailor each application to the specific funder.
  • Be realistic with funding requests.
  • Ensure budgets match the written application.
  • Clearly explain who benefits and what outcomes will be achieved.
  • Keep applications concise and easy to read.
  • Have another person review the application if possible.
  • Don't leave submissions until the last minute.
  • Save copies of all applications and supporting documents.
  • Check with Gift Collective if you're unsure about eligibility, wording, budgets or documentation.

Fundsorter is a valuable tool to support your funding journey, but it is not a replacement for your own knowledge, relationships and storytelling.

Reporting Matters Too
While funding applications are important, reporting is just as important.
Gift Collective completes the financial reporting required by funders, but we need your help with the storytelling side.
Please remember to keep track of:
  • Activities delivered
  • Numbers of participants
  • Success stories
  • Photos (where appropriate)
  • Community feedback
  • Outcomes achieved
  • Lessons learned

These stories help demonstrate the difference your project is making and are often the most powerful part of a funder's reporting requirements. Good reporting also makes future funding applications much easier.

Fundsorter Webinar Recording
Missed our recent funding webinar with Fundsorter?
You can watch the recording here:

Housekeeping Reminders

Expenses & Charitable Purpose
A quick reminder to please submit your expenses each week before end of day Tuesday  - the more time you allow, the better, in case we need to come back to you with any questions.
This helps ensure:
  • Processing on Wednesday (usually by midday)
  • Payments made on Thursday
When submitting expenses, please include a clear explanation of the charitable purpose.
For example:
❌ "Catering"
✅ "Catering for community planning and strategy day involving 30 community members and partner organisations".
Simply stating "catering" doesn't provide enough information for us to determine whether the expense aligns with your charitable purpose and approved budget.
Likewise, descriptions such as "koha", "gift", "supplies", or "resources" should include a brief explanation of what was purchased and why it was needed for your project.
Remember:
  • Expenses must align with your charitable purpose.
  • Expenses must align with your approved project budget.
  • If catering was not included in your approved budget, funding cannot be used for catering without prior approval.
  • If you're unsure, please contact us before spending the money.

Continued Check-Ins

Some of you may have received an email from us over the past few months checking in and asking whether you wish to continue as a Collective.
If you receive one of these emails, we'd really appreciate a quick reply - even a simple one-line response is enough.
This helps us:
  • Confirm you're still receiving our communications
  • Ensure you wish to continue as a Collective
  • Understand whether you need any support from us
  • Keep our records up to date
As our network continues to grow, keeping these details current helps us support everyone more effectively.

We're here to support you and don't hesitate to get in touch if you need support or simply want to kōrero.

Ngā mihi nui,
Your Gift Collective Team
Chloe, Katie & Trish