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Colin Cockburn Award

An annual allocation is available for individuals with a chronic long-term disability or illness for the purchase of equipment to assist with their day to day living and/or work where this equipment is not funded by Ministry of Health (MoH) or the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC).

Colin Cockburn Award

Applications open 1 June and close midnight 30 June.

Total Value for 2026:  $1,450

The purpose of the Colin Cockburn Fund is to support individuals with a chronic long-term disability or illness for the purchase of equipment to assist with their day to day living and/or work. It recognises that individuals are often disadvantaged in living life to their full potential due to the lack of appropriate equipment which is often outside of what MoH and ACC will provide.

Criteria for applicants

  • Applicants must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.
  • Members of the Muscular Dystrophy Association of New Zealand residing in the Taupō District community will be given preference in the allocation of funding.
  • The same individual could receive a gift in consecutive years.

 

Funds are to be used to assist with an individual’s ability to reach their full potential. Examples include:

  • Vehicle purchase and modifications
  • Home modifications
  • Wheelchair purchase and modifications
  • Specialised computers and programmes
  • Home living aids, work aids and educational aids
  • Participation costs in relevant programmes/activities

 

Ineligible Expenditure Types
Funding cannot be used for:

  • Equipment, resources or support that is funded by Ministry of Health (MoH) or the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC)
  • Equipment, resources or support that is already being funding or partially funded by relevant organisations e.g. Blind Low Vision

Before You Apply

Please ensure you have the following information available before starting your application:

  • Purpose of your application
  • Ensure answers are under 1000 characters. Note, spaces, full stops, commas etc are included in character count.
  • Proof or verification of your organisation’s bank account details.
  • Any additional supplementary information you would like considered as part of your application.

 

Applicants will be asked to upload supporting documentation as part of the application process.

How To Apply

Applications now go through our new online grants portal, making it easier to save and manage your applications all in one place. You will need to create an account to submit an application, by registering with your email and create a password.

Please click on ‘Apply Now’ to login or create an account. (We recommend bookmarking this page in your browser)

To Create an Account
Once you click ‘Apply Now’ you will go to the Grant Portal Login page. Click ‘Not a member?’ at the bottom right and follow
the prompts.

Applications forms are under the ‘Funding Programs’ Tab – (2026 Scholarship Funding)

Important You must answer every question to be able to save your application. If you do not
have all the information enter placeholder text e.g. 123 or ABC.

Then you can save your application and continue to edit until ready to submit

To access or view your application at any time

  • log in to your grant portal account
  • go to ‘My Applications’
  • click on the application under ‘Funding Request Name’
  • Continue with application or view application updates

Other important Information:

  • Late applications will not be accepted.
  • Donations must be used for the charitable purpose for which they were gifted.
  • Successful applicant/s will be selected by Geyser Community Foundation.  The decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
  • An interview may be required before final selection.
  • Successful applicant/s will be required to be available for interviews and to participate in promotional activities agreed with the recipient/s.  Information about the gifts and the way in which they have been spent may be used by the Geyser Community Foundation for promotional purposes.
  • Successful applicant/s are encouraged to acknowledge the Geyser Community Foundation in their promotional activities and on social media. #geysergifts
  • Gifts will be made to the successful applicant/s at a special awards function to be held in Taupō.
  • The gift may be revoked if the recipient’s behaviour is inappropriate or the recipient has breached conditions of the gift.
  • It is expected that the recipient will use the gift within 12 months of receipt.


Reporting

The successful applicant/s will be required to provide a written report about how they spent the grant/s and outline the impact it has made on their live/s.  Reports must be received by the Geyser Community Foundation within six months of receiving the grant.


Important Dates

Applications open: 1 June 2026
Applications close: Midnight 30 June 2026
Review and decision-making: July / August
Notification of decisions: August / September
Celebration of Giving Awards: Taupō 22 September 2026 & Rotorua 24 September 2026
Grant Payment: 20 September 2026
Round Table Reporting: June 2027
Accountability Reports: 31 March 2027

For queries regarding your application please contact our Community Engagement Officer,
Leanne Rankin leanne@geysercf.org.nz