Ōtorohanga District Community Grant Fund

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Above; Kāwhia New Years Eve Fireworks display received funding to stage their community event in 2024/2025

The Fund is open and staying open!

We now accept your applications all year - so any time is a great time to do great stuff for our community!

How it works- if you want your project to be considered for the next deliberation round ('Round 1 2025/26')
apply now if you are ready, and you have till 31 July 2025 to get your application in.
The Committee will meet to deliberate these submissions on 10 September.
Remember we cannot fund projects retrospectively, so when you're writing your application the project cannot start before that September date.

Note; If you need to take a little longer and intend to submit your application to us after 1 August 2025 we will tag it towards the subsequent Committee deliberation round ('Round 2, 2025/26'). This meeting will be held in April 2026 (so when you write your application for this particular round - your project cannot start before this April date).

Another new change is for our applicants who need an 'umbrella referee' as they are not part of a formal group (eg; you are not applying on behalf of an incorporated society, school, etc).
Good news- we now accept businesses as 'umbrellas' alongside non profits, trusts, societies etc. This means you could ask your local dairy, favorite shop, or supplier to act as a referee and 'vouch' for you and your community project - we hope that this change makes the application process easier.

If you have any questions about this new process, about umbrellas, and how the timings work - get in touch



About the Fund

  • The Ōtorohanga District Community Grants Fund (the Fund) provides community assistance to make our district a vibrant place to live.
  • Since this funds inception in 2021, Ōtorohanga District Council has granted approximately $500,000 to help our people.
  • This fund is available to community groups, non-profits, and organisations with a maximum grant of $5,000 per application, and a total annual budget of $100,000, which is spread across 2 Committee deliberation "rounds" (these are held every 6 months).

Application Process

We are trying out accepting your funding applications all year round - this means you can submit your grant application whenever you are ready.

Some things aren’t changing though – our Grants Committee will still be deciding allocations at meetings held twice a year.

For your application to be considered for the next meeting you can apply now and have till 31 July to get your project in.

If you were successful in the last round of the Ōtorohanga Community Grants, you an ineligible this time.
You cannot get funding two rounds in a row, this allows us to spread the funding across the community.

If you are successful you are required to complete a CCS Grant Accountability Form. This tells us all about your project and how it went. It’s a good idea to get it done as soon as you finish. You can find it in the sidebar under "DOCUMENTS YOU NEED TO DOWNLOAD".

Before you apply for a new project, you must complete the previous one by submitting an accountability form. If you don’t, you won’t be eligible.

Top Tips

  1. You'll be asked to register for Connecting Ōtorohanga (you won't be asked again and can use the same login to apply for other grants and participate in our public consultations and engagements).
  2. Download the supporting documents in the sidebar of this webpage, and have a look at the timeline.
  3. Creating a Connecting Ōtorohanga account doesn't allow you to save your application and return to it another time, so make sure you have downloaded the 'Preparation Sheet' document on this page and use that to work on your draft answers offline first.
  4. When you're happy with your answers, log in to your account on this platform and copy and paste everything across into the full online application. You access the online application here.
  5. Any documents we mention can be found in the sidebar on this page under "DOCUMENTS YOU NEED TO DOWNLOAD"

Eligibility and Criteria

Key points to remember:

  • Your project must benefit the Ōtorohanga District community.
  • You must be a registered non-profit/charity OR you must organise and upload a simple agreement in writing, from a registered non-profit or a business who is happy to act as an 'umbrella organisation'. Their details will need to form part of your application. Please get in touch with us if you need help with this. We have a super handy FAQ document to help you and a potential umbrella organisation understand the process.
  • You cannot apply for two rounds in a row unless your previous application was unsuccessful.
  • If you were previously successful and got a grant, you must have completed and sent us a Grant Accountability Form before your new application will be considered.
  • Your project can only start after a Committee deliberation- we cannot fund a project in retrospect
  • All the rest of the detailed criteria is found in the the Ōtorohanga District Community Grants Funding Guidelines.

Note the local funding priorities for the Ōtorohanga District Community Grants Fund

Priority will be given to applications that:

  • Take place within the Ōtorohanga District.
  • Produce benefits which are largely experienced within the Ōtorohanga District.
  • Align to councils community outcomes

You are not eligible if;

  • You got funded last round
  • Your project does not benefit the people of Ōtorohanga district
  • You didn't complete a report for a previously successful grant
  • Your project starts before the Committee deliberation round.

Before you prepare your application read through the Ōtorohanga District Community Grants Fund Guidelines which tell you:

  • whether you are able to apply for Ōtorohanga District Community Grants Fund funding for your project
  • which projects and costs are eligible and ineligible
  • what information you will need to include in your application.

Who got funded?

Since this funds inception in 2021, Ōtorohanga District Council has granted approximately $300,000 to help our people! Over 70 groups have been successful and have used these funds to develop their groups and achieve their community focused projects. These are;

Round 2, 2024-2025

  • Kāwhia Art Group – $5,000 towards a screen machine
  • *first time applicant* Te Kapinga Bevan Taylor TOA/Kāwhia Fight Fitness –$3,815.00 towards new pads, gloves, and protective gear
  • *first time applicant* Kāwhia Houora Club $2,000 towards weights and gym equipment
  • Kāwhia Museum $2,154.84 towards exhibition lighting
  • Kāwhia Primary School $3,750 towards Matariki event and activities
  • Kio Kio School Committee $3,042.07 towards house flags and shade sails
  • *first time applicant* Maihiihi Primary School $4,000 towards playground equipment
  • Ōtorohanga Budgeting $1,500 towards operating costs
  • Ōtorohanga Carriers Association $4,913.26 towards free Truck and Ute Show event
  • *first time applicant* Ōtorohanga Group Day $400.00 towards trophy engraving
  • Ōtorohanga Squash Club $3,500.00 towards building refurbishments
  • *first time applicant* Ōtorohanga Pony Club $4,000.00 towards a new concrete floor for their clubroom
  • Otorohanga Tennis Club $3,000 towards lease costs
  • *first time applicant* Scott Taylor/ GAINZ Brazilian Ju Jitzu Club $3,000.00 towards a series of free family film nights
  • *first time applicant* SPCA $2,000 towards subsidised pet neutering for those in need
  • Taarewaanga Marae $2,000 towards catering for a free community Matariki event

    Round 1, 2024-2025
  • Comm Safe for rural neighbourhood security, $2,925
  • Project Kiwiana/ Elevate Ōtorohanga for a public Christmas Parade, $3,925
  • Hauturu Hall for floor sanding and revarnishing, $4,425
  • Kāwhia Fireworks for a public New Years Eve event, $3,000
  • Kāwhia Rowing Regatta Club (remainder of costs) for a public New Years Day Rowing Regatta, $469
  • Korakonui School for a composting system, $1,652
  • Lyceum Club for their land lease, $3,973
  • Maihiihi Playcentre for an updated native sensory garden and play area, $3,030
  • Pacifika Dance Group at Ōtorohanga College for performance level uniforms, $3,554 (photo attached, info below)
  • Ōtorohanga Museum for professional exhibition lighting, $2,875
  • Ōtorohanga Toy Library for the purchase of new toys $450
  • Riding for the Disabled for horse expenses $5,000
  • Sailability for boat maintenance and life jackets, $2,901
  • Te Hokinga mai ki te Nehenehenui/Otewa Marae for a water pump upgrade, $5,000
  • Te Tamawai Trust for youth mentoring in schools, $2,875
  • Turitea Marae for a public Matariki event, $5,000
  • Wharepuhunga Playcentre for play equipment upgrades, $3,310

Round 2, 2023-2024
Ōtorohanga Sports Club, Otorohanga Mens Shed, Project Kiwiana Committee, Te Rōpū Manaaki Aroha Incorporated, Picnic and Pistons, KioKio School Social Committee, Otorohanga Train Station 100 Years Event, Unplugged Arcade, Toi Aringa Trust, Otorohanga Squash Club, Otorohanga Netball Club, Otorohanga Tennis Club, Central Motorcross Incorporated, Janie Tuhoro, Otorohanga Christmas Club, Assembly of God/Harvest Church.

Round 1, 2023-2024
Kāwhia NYE Fireworks, Aotea Patrol Community Response Team, Ōtorohanga Kai Forest, Kāwhia Primary School, Kāwhia Sports Club Inc, Ōtorohanga Historical Society (Museum), Arohena Hall, Ōtorohanga Lyceum Club, Bill Millar, Ōtorohanga Primary School, Ōtorohanga Support House Whare Awhina, Turitea Marae, Unlocking potential, Tori Muller.

Round 2, 2022- 2023
Friends of Beattie Home, I am Yoga, Kāwhia Museum, Kāwhia Rowing Regatta, KioKio Hall, Korakonui School, Oparāu Hall, Ōtorohanga Domain Sports Association, Ōtorohanga Football Club, Ōtorohanga Museum, Ōtorohanga Maori Womens Welfare League, Ōtorohanga Tennis Club, Ōtorohanga Truck and Ute Show Event, Toi Aringa Charitable Trust, Tigers Sport Club, Taarewaaanga Marae.

Round 1, 2022- 2023
Kawhia Move your Tinana Food Festival, Arohena Hall, Otewa Marae, Ngutunui Hall, Maru Energy Trust, Ōtorohanga District Development Board, Onepu Charitable Trust, Ōtorohanga Toy Library, Ōtorohanga Sports Club, Oparau Hall Society, Ōtorohanga Support House Whare Awhina, Ōtorohanga Lyceum Club, Rangatahi Justice, Maihiihi Playcentre, Waikato Polocrosse, Project Kiwiana, Ōtorohanga Croquet Club, Ōtorohanga Riding for the Disabled.

Round 2, 2021- 2022
Waikato Screen, Korakonui School, Arohena School, North King Country Motorcycle Club, Ōtorohanga Tennis Club, Maihiihi Playcentre, Te Tamawai Trust, Turitea Marae, Nehenehenui Regional Management Committee.

Round 1, 2021- 2022
Waikato Polocrosse, Ōtorohanga Sports Club, Wharepuhunga Playcentre, Comms Safe, Ōtorohanga Museum, Ōtorohanga Riding for the Disabled, Aotea Ratepayers Association, Picnic and Pistons Event, Ōtorohanga Budgeting Services, Beattie Home Community Trust, Ōtorohanga Croquet, Ōtorohanga Senior Citizens Association, Ōtorohanga Tennis Club, Ōtorohanga Domain Sports Association.

About this funding

The Fund contributes to a strong social, environmental, economic and cultural base for our District and to meet local needs, while contributing to the achievement of Council’s Community Outcomes.

The Fund Guidelines were adopted by Council on 17 August 2021 and set out the funding criteria and allocation process for the Fund and help ensure the distribution of funding. The Guidelines were re-considered and amended by Council on 24 June 2025.

  • Is appropriately targeted
  • Delivers the best value for our communities.
  • Occurs in a consistent, efficient and effective manner.
  • Is fair and transparent; and,
  • Promotes accountability

Both the Community Outcomes and the Fund Guidelines can be found in the sidebar under "DOCUMENTS YOU NEED TO DOWNLOAD".

Questions?

If you have any questions about your application or need to talk about your application, please email grants@otodc.govt.nz

Application form below

Above; Kāwhia New Years Eve Fireworks display received funding to stage their community event in 2024/2025

The Fund is open and staying open!

We now accept your applications all year - so any time is a great time to do great stuff for our community!

How it works- if you want your project to be considered for the next deliberation round ('Round 1 2025/26')
apply now if you are ready, and you have till 31 July 2025 to get your application in.
The Committee will meet to deliberate these submissions on 10 September.
Remember we cannot fund projects retrospectively, so when you're writing your application the project cannot start before that September date.

Note; If you need to take a little longer and intend to submit your application to us after 1 August 2025 we will tag it towards the subsequent Committee deliberation round ('Round 2, 2025/26'). This meeting will be held in April 2026 (so when you write your application for this particular round - your project cannot start before this April date).

Another new change is for our applicants who need an 'umbrella referee' as they are not part of a formal group (eg; you are not applying on behalf of an incorporated society, school, etc).
Good news- we now accept businesses as 'umbrellas' alongside non profits, trusts, societies etc. This means you could ask your local dairy, favorite shop, or supplier to act as a referee and 'vouch' for you and your community project - we hope that this change makes the application process easier.

If you have any questions about this new process, about umbrellas, and how the timings work - get in touch



About the Fund

  • The Ōtorohanga District Community Grants Fund (the Fund) provides community assistance to make our district a vibrant place to live.
  • Since this funds inception in 2021, Ōtorohanga District Council has granted approximately $500,000 to help our people.
  • This fund is available to community groups, non-profits, and organisations with a maximum grant of $5,000 per application, and a total annual budget of $100,000, which is spread across 2 Committee deliberation "rounds" (these are held every 6 months).

Application Process

We are trying out accepting your funding applications all year round - this means you can submit your grant application whenever you are ready.

Some things aren’t changing though – our Grants Committee will still be deciding allocations at meetings held twice a year.

For your application to be considered for the next meeting you can apply now and have till 31 July to get your project in.

If you were successful in the last round of the Ōtorohanga Community Grants, you an ineligible this time.
You cannot get funding two rounds in a row, this allows us to spread the funding across the community.

If you are successful you are required to complete a CCS Grant Accountability Form. This tells us all about your project and how it went. It’s a good idea to get it done as soon as you finish. You can find it in the sidebar under "DOCUMENTS YOU NEED TO DOWNLOAD".

Before you apply for a new project, you must complete the previous one by submitting an accountability form. If you don’t, you won’t be eligible.

Top Tips

  1. You'll be asked to register for Connecting Ōtorohanga (you won't be asked again and can use the same login to apply for other grants and participate in our public consultations and engagements).
  2. Download the supporting documents in the sidebar of this webpage, and have a look at the timeline.
  3. Creating a Connecting Ōtorohanga account doesn't allow you to save your application and return to it another time, so make sure you have downloaded the 'Preparation Sheet' document on this page and use that to work on your draft answers offline first.
  4. When you're happy with your answers, log in to your account on this platform and copy and paste everything across into the full online application. You access the online application here.
  5. Any documents we mention can be found in the sidebar on this page under "DOCUMENTS YOU NEED TO DOWNLOAD"

Eligibility and Criteria

Key points to remember:

  • Your project must benefit the Ōtorohanga District community.
  • You must be a registered non-profit/charity OR you must organise and upload a simple agreement in writing, from a registered non-profit or a business who is happy to act as an 'umbrella organisation'. Their details will need to form part of your application. Please get in touch with us if you need help with this. We have a super handy FAQ document to help you and a potential umbrella organisation understand the process.
  • You cannot apply for two rounds in a row unless your previous application was unsuccessful.
  • If you were previously successful and got a grant, you must have completed and sent us a Grant Accountability Form before your new application will be considered.
  • Your project can only start after a Committee deliberation- we cannot fund a project in retrospect
  • All the rest of the detailed criteria is found in the the Ōtorohanga District Community Grants Funding Guidelines.

Note the local funding priorities for the Ōtorohanga District Community Grants Fund

Priority will be given to applications that:

  • Take place within the Ōtorohanga District.
  • Produce benefits which are largely experienced within the Ōtorohanga District.
  • Align to councils community outcomes

You are not eligible if;

  • You got funded last round
  • Your project does not benefit the people of Ōtorohanga district
  • You didn't complete a report for a previously successful grant
  • Your project starts before the Committee deliberation round.

Before you prepare your application read through the Ōtorohanga District Community Grants Fund Guidelines which tell you:

  • whether you are able to apply for Ōtorohanga District Community Grants Fund funding for your project
  • which projects and costs are eligible and ineligible
  • what information you will need to include in your application.

Who got funded?

Since this funds inception in 2021, Ōtorohanga District Council has granted approximately $300,000 to help our people! Over 70 groups have been successful and have used these funds to develop their groups and achieve their community focused projects. These are;

Round 2, 2024-2025

  • Kāwhia Art Group – $5,000 towards a screen machine
  • *first time applicant* Te Kapinga Bevan Taylor TOA/Kāwhia Fight Fitness –$3,815.00 towards new pads, gloves, and protective gear
  • *first time applicant* Kāwhia Houora Club $2,000 towards weights and gym equipment
  • Kāwhia Museum $2,154.84 towards exhibition lighting
  • Kāwhia Primary School $3,750 towards Matariki event and activities
  • Kio Kio School Committee $3,042.07 towards house flags and shade sails
  • *first time applicant* Maihiihi Primary School $4,000 towards playground equipment
  • Ōtorohanga Budgeting $1,500 towards operating costs
  • Ōtorohanga Carriers Association $4,913.26 towards free Truck and Ute Show event
  • *first time applicant* Ōtorohanga Group Day $400.00 towards trophy engraving
  • Ōtorohanga Squash Club $3,500.00 towards building refurbishments
  • *first time applicant* Ōtorohanga Pony Club $4,000.00 towards a new concrete floor for their clubroom
  • Otorohanga Tennis Club $3,000 towards lease costs
  • *first time applicant* Scott Taylor/ GAINZ Brazilian Ju Jitzu Club $3,000.00 towards a series of free family film nights
  • *first time applicant* SPCA $2,000 towards subsidised pet neutering for those in need
  • Taarewaanga Marae $2,000 towards catering for a free community Matariki event

    Round 1, 2024-2025
  • Comm Safe for rural neighbourhood security, $2,925
  • Project Kiwiana/ Elevate Ōtorohanga for a public Christmas Parade, $3,925
  • Hauturu Hall for floor sanding and revarnishing, $4,425
  • Kāwhia Fireworks for a public New Years Eve event, $3,000
  • Kāwhia Rowing Regatta Club (remainder of costs) for a public New Years Day Rowing Regatta, $469
  • Korakonui School for a composting system, $1,652
  • Lyceum Club for their land lease, $3,973
  • Maihiihi Playcentre for an updated native sensory garden and play area, $3,030
  • Pacifika Dance Group at Ōtorohanga College for performance level uniforms, $3,554 (photo attached, info below)
  • Ōtorohanga Museum for professional exhibition lighting, $2,875
  • Ōtorohanga Toy Library for the purchase of new toys $450
  • Riding for the Disabled for horse expenses $5,000
  • Sailability for boat maintenance and life jackets, $2,901
  • Te Hokinga mai ki te Nehenehenui/Otewa Marae for a water pump upgrade, $5,000
  • Te Tamawai Trust for youth mentoring in schools, $2,875
  • Turitea Marae for a public Matariki event, $5,000
  • Wharepuhunga Playcentre for play equipment upgrades, $3,310

Round 2, 2023-2024
Ōtorohanga Sports Club, Otorohanga Mens Shed, Project Kiwiana Committee, Te Rōpū Manaaki Aroha Incorporated, Picnic and Pistons, KioKio School Social Committee, Otorohanga Train Station 100 Years Event, Unplugged Arcade, Toi Aringa Trust, Otorohanga Squash Club, Otorohanga Netball Club, Otorohanga Tennis Club, Central Motorcross Incorporated, Janie Tuhoro, Otorohanga Christmas Club, Assembly of God/Harvest Church.

Round 1, 2023-2024
Kāwhia NYE Fireworks, Aotea Patrol Community Response Team, Ōtorohanga Kai Forest, Kāwhia Primary School, Kāwhia Sports Club Inc, Ōtorohanga Historical Society (Museum), Arohena Hall, Ōtorohanga Lyceum Club, Bill Millar, Ōtorohanga Primary School, Ōtorohanga Support House Whare Awhina, Turitea Marae, Unlocking potential, Tori Muller.

Round 2, 2022- 2023
Friends of Beattie Home, I am Yoga, Kāwhia Museum, Kāwhia Rowing Regatta, KioKio Hall, Korakonui School, Oparāu Hall, Ōtorohanga Domain Sports Association, Ōtorohanga Football Club, Ōtorohanga Museum, Ōtorohanga Maori Womens Welfare League, Ōtorohanga Tennis Club, Ōtorohanga Truck and Ute Show Event, Toi Aringa Charitable Trust, Tigers Sport Club, Taarewaaanga Marae.

Round 1, 2022- 2023
Kawhia Move your Tinana Food Festival, Arohena Hall, Otewa Marae, Ngutunui Hall, Maru Energy Trust, Ōtorohanga District Development Board, Onepu Charitable Trust, Ōtorohanga Toy Library, Ōtorohanga Sports Club, Oparau Hall Society, Ōtorohanga Support House Whare Awhina, Ōtorohanga Lyceum Club, Rangatahi Justice, Maihiihi Playcentre, Waikato Polocrosse, Project Kiwiana, Ōtorohanga Croquet Club, Ōtorohanga Riding for the Disabled.

Round 2, 2021- 2022
Waikato Screen, Korakonui School, Arohena School, North King Country Motorcycle Club, Ōtorohanga Tennis Club, Maihiihi Playcentre, Te Tamawai Trust, Turitea Marae, Nehenehenui Regional Management Committee.

Round 1, 2021- 2022
Waikato Polocrosse, Ōtorohanga Sports Club, Wharepuhunga Playcentre, Comms Safe, Ōtorohanga Museum, Ōtorohanga Riding for the Disabled, Aotea Ratepayers Association, Picnic and Pistons Event, Ōtorohanga Budgeting Services, Beattie Home Community Trust, Ōtorohanga Croquet, Ōtorohanga Senior Citizens Association, Ōtorohanga Tennis Club, Ōtorohanga Domain Sports Association.

About this funding

The Fund contributes to a strong social, environmental, economic and cultural base for our District and to meet local needs, while contributing to the achievement of Council’s Community Outcomes.

The Fund Guidelines were adopted by Council on 17 August 2021 and set out the funding criteria and allocation process for the Fund and help ensure the distribution of funding. The Guidelines were re-considered and amended by Council on 24 June 2025.

  • Is appropriately targeted
  • Delivers the best value for our communities.
  • Occurs in a consistent, efficient and effective manner.
  • Is fair and transparent; and,
  • Promotes accountability

Both the Community Outcomes and the Fund Guidelines can be found in the sidebar under "DOCUMENTS YOU NEED TO DOWNLOAD".

Questions?

If you have any questions about your application or need to talk about your application, please email grants@otodc.govt.nz

Application form below

  • Ōtorohanga District Community Grant - Fund Application Form

      Top tips for your application

    • Gather all the documents listed below first, before you start writing your application, remember bank statements, and arranging an umbrella organisation (if you need one) can take time to organise. Talk to your treasurer. Do this first. 
    • You are selling the idea of your project to a decision panel, describe it clearly and sell the idea. Why this? Why now? Show your application to others and get their feedback.
    • When you submit your application make sure you are somewhere with a good internet connection. All applications go onto our server which saves them all, and you will get a message saying it has been received.
    • If you need help, such as computer access, help completing the online form, or uploading the supporting information and documentation, head to Ōtorohanga Library where the friendly staff can help you get it all done, or email; grants@otodc.govt.nz


      Along with the application form you must include the following documents

    1. Legal proof of being a nonprofit or charity.
    2. If you are not a non-profit or charity you must organise an umbrella organisation. This is a simple agreement in writing, from a registered non-profit who is willing to act as your 'umbrella organisation' (a kind of referee). More information about this umbrella system is in a frequently asked questions document on the home page of this grant portal. Before you fill in this form you will need their; - contact person, address, phone number, email, bank account details, legal status, charity number, GST number (if applicable) and a letter from them saying they agree to support your project. Email grants@otodc.govt.nz if you need help with this. 
    3. Your organisation’s latest confirmed annual financial accounts.
    4. Verified and bank account and any GST details for the applicant organisation (or bank account details for the umbrella organisation if you are using one).
    5. Information about any other support (other funding you get, in-kind support etc) that your group has received, from other sources.
    6. Disclosure of any other monies, grants, benefits or assistance the group receives from Ōtorohanga District Council, including but not limited to, rates remission, water charge reductions, insurances, reduced rental, etc.
    7. Quotes for the things you want to pay for. 
    8. Any other documents like CV's or project photos you would like the panel to view. 

    Thank you for your idea, your positive energy helps make Ōtorohanga District a vibrant place to live. 

    Good luck!

      

    Click here to apply
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Page last updated: 27 Jun 2025, 02:28 PM