Apply for a grant

APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2027 GRANTS ROUND OPEN 1 SEPTEMBER 2026.

The Trustees Grants Meeting, at which all applications are considered, is usually held in March following the application closing date of 30 November. Grants are usually paid out by the end of April.

If you have any questions that aren’t answered below, please email coordinator@sargoodbequest.org.nz.

A regional focus for our 2027 Grants Round

For the 2027 Grants Round, we're focusing our funding on organisations and projects based in Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington and the South Island. Focusing regionally lets us build the kind of local knowledge and relationships that help us fund well, and make sure our resources are going where they're needed most. It's part of a two-year trial that will shape our strategy from 2028 onward. Read more about this decision →

Eligibility

Fundseekers and their beneficiaries must be based in New Zealand, and for the 2027 grants round, in the following regions: Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson-Marlborough, West Coast, Canterbury or Otago-Southland.
Fundseekers do not need to be a registered charity or not-for-profit, but they must demonstrate high standards of integrity and ethical conduct, with the capacity to manage funds effectively and deliver lasting community benefit
Requests must be for specific equipment, infrastructure, services or operational support (excluding ongoing wages/salaries)
Requests must not be retrospective. We do not fund any expenses that have already been paid for or events that have taken place prior to the Trustees’ review in March of the year following the application.

Funding Criteria

The Sargood Bequest prioritises funding for organisations that have a direct and tangible impact at a local level. As such, we do not typically fund national charities or organisations, or large, well-resourced projects and programmes. We focus on organisations where modest funding can make a meaningful difference, particularly those that may currently have limited access to other funding sources.

We encourage applications from groups and initiatives that:

Have funding requests typically under $5000 with clear, targeted use of funds
Are community-focused – responsive to and rooted in the community they serve

Grow connection, resilience, and self-determination across people, places, and culture

We particularly value projects that prioritise collaboration to enhance reach and impact, especially those that:

Involve genuine partnerships with other groups or organisations

Create collective impact by working towards a shared vision

Leverage local and indigenous relationships and knowledge

We do not fund:

Wages or salaries for day-to-day staffing (project-specific specialist/contracted support may be considered)
International travel or activities taking place outside New Zealand

Initiatives that are primarily for commercial gain

Individuals, unless the application clearly demonstrates wider benefit to the community

Activities or expenses that have already taken place (retrospective grants)

Application guidelines

To help us understand your project and how this funding would support it, please consider the following in your application:

Focus on your project, rather than our criteria – just tell us about what you do and why, and we'll see where it fits
What exactly will this funding let you do? Be specific: activities, who's involved, what changes as a result
Show evidence of community connection and a collaborative approach
Include photos, visuals, letters of support or links – these help us see your work in action and understand the context

Budget/Finances

Be clear and specific about how the funds will be used, even if your budget is simple.
Please indicate in your budget whether the request is for full or partial funding, and detail any fundraising already undertaken

Quotes help us to understand how this grant fits into your budget

If you don’t have formal financial statements, please upload whatever records you do have (e.g. spreadsheet, bank statements, summary of income/expenses). We’re looking for a picture of your organisation’s financial position so we can understand your capacity to deliver the project and how the funding fits in.

If applying as an individual:

Outline the benefit to the wider community of the project and funding

Attach two referee documents under “Supporting documentation”
Provide income and financial information (e.g. IRD proof of income letter, copies of tax returns or similar records). This will be from the parent/caregiver if applying on behalf of a child

Attach a budget and quotes to explain the amount requested, including details of personal fundraising efforts and other funding received or applied for