Other funding sources

Here are some other funding sources available for environmental or community projects.

Department of Conservation list

The Department of Conservation have a large list of links to national organisations who provide funding and grants for community conservation groups.

Freshwater Improvement Fund

The Freshwater Improvement Fund commits $100 million over 10 years to improve the management of New Zealand’s lakes, rivers, streams, groundwater and wetlands. It supports projects, with a total value of $400,000 or more, that help communities manage fresh water within environmental limits.

Hill Country Erosion Programme

Hill Country Erosion Programme helps protect erosion-prone hill country. It provides leadership and targeted support to regional and unitary councils. Find out how the programme works and why it's needed.

Otago Community Trust

The Otago Community Trust provides grants to not-for-profit community groups and projects that make a positive contribution to Otago communities.

Otago Participatory Science Platform (Otago PSP)

Otago PSP has funding available to support participatory science projects that are:

• Community-driven: The research must be relevant to, and resonate with, the community.
• Connected with scientists: Involve active participation of communities in the scientific process, making the most of their local knowledge and generating new scientific &/or technological insights.
• Educational: Offer real learning outcomes to students and young people involved, and two-way learning between the wider community and the science partners.

Trees that count

Want to scale up your native tree planting projects? Trees That Count have built New Zealand’s only digital marketplace to connect people and organisations who want to fund the planting of native trees with groups who want to plant more.  Community groups, schools, iwi, landowners and other NGOs can apply for free native trees from Trees That Count’s marketplace.

Central Otago area specific funding

Central Lakes Trust

Central Lakes Trust is a charitable trust supporting our community, by granting funds for charitable purposes throughout the Central Lakes district.

Clutha district specific funding

Clutha district Biodiversity Funding

The purpose of this fund is to maintain and enhance a network of viable habitats and ecosystems in the Clutha District by encouraging and supporting landowners who are committed to protecting, enhancing and managing indigenous biodiversity.

Dunedin City Council funding

Biodiversity Funding

Community Funding and Grants

Neighbourhood matching grant

Waste minimisation fund

Queenstown Lakes area specific funding

​Waste Minimisation Community Fund
Do you have a great idea for a project that will help move our community towards zero waste? You might be eligible for funding through QLDC's Waste Minimisation Community Fund.

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Waitaki district specific funding 

The Waitaki Community Fund

The Waitaki Community Fund provides grants for projects from Aoraki Mount Cook to Waitaki Bridge that support sustainable community development.

Waitaki District Council Biodiversity Fund

This $30,000 annual fund has been established to support landowners who are taking practical steps to protect and enhance indigenous biodiversity in the Waitaki District, principally on private land.

Waitaki Waste Minimisation Fund

No idea is too big or too small. If you can teach and inspire people to reduce rubbish going to landfill please apply.