Colin & Jenny McDonald Fund
Applications for 2025 open 1 June and close midnight 30 June.
Total Value for 2025: $1,200
⚠️ Important: Prepare Your Application First
We recommend completing your application in the guide below before entering it into the online form.
The form does not save progress and may time out or encounter technical issues.
Criteria for applicants
The Fund is set up with two different purposes as set out below. If there are no applications in one area then those funds in that year may be distributed in the other.
Half the annual award is to assist disabled persons of any age to buy specialist equipment needed to enhance their day to day living, work or education requirements and opportunities.
Half the annual award is to assist classical musicians (as a preference but not limited to) of any age to further their studies to gain tertiary, advanced or diploma level qualifications from nationally or internationally recognised bodies, or to assist with the purchase of instruments, music and texts for individuals who are working towards such qualification. Recipients required to move outside the geographical area covered by the Geyser Community Foundation (currently the Rotorua and Taupo District communities and the Central Volcanic Plateau region) to further or complete their studies can continue to receive support if the original gift was awarded while they were living in the area.
Applicants must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.
The same recipient/s could receive a gift in consecutive years.
Other important information
- Late applications will not be accepted.
- The gift/grant must be used for the charitable purpose for which it is granted.
- If you are a musician, the funds must be used for educational purposes in the form of pursuing recognised qualifications, or purchasing instruments, music or texts explicitly related to pursuing the recognised qualifications.
- The successful applicant will be required to supply appropriate documentation such as receipts, to prove that funds have been spent for the charitable purposes specified.
- The recipient will be selected by the Donor’s Family and the Geyser Community Foundation. The decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
- An interview may be required before final selection.
- The gift will be presented to the successful applicant at a special awards ceremony in Rotorua or Taupō each year (dates tbc).
- It is expected that the recipient will use the gift within 12 months of receipt.
- The recipient will be required to provide a written report about how they spent the gift and outline the benefits gained. Reports must be received by the Geyser Community Foundation within six months of receiving the gift.
- The successful applicant will be required to be available for interviews and to participate in promotional activities agreed with the recipient. Information about the gift from the Colin and Jenny McDonald Fund and the way in which it has been spent may be used by the Geyser Community Foundation for promotional purposes.
- A gift may be revoked if the recipient’s behaviour is inappropriate or the recipient has breached conditions.
Important Dates:
Applications open: 1 June 2025
Applications close: Midnight 30 June 2025
Review and decision-making: July / August
Notification of decisions: August / September
Celebration of Giving Awards: 11 September 2025, Rotorua & 9 September 2025, Taupō
Grant payment: 20 September 2025
Accountability Reports: 31 March 2026
For queries regarding your application please contact our Community Engagement Officer,
Leanne Rankin leanne@geysercf.org.nz
Complete Application Here:
⚠️ Important: Prepare Your Application First
We recommend completing your application in the guide below before entering it into the online form.
The form does not save progress and may time out or encounter technical issues.
We’re currently looking into improving this functionality in the future.
Colin & Jenny McDonald Fund – Application Guide
Applications have now closed.
Please note: Once you have submitted your application you will receive a confirmation email ‘Thank you for your application’.
If you do not receive this, your application has not been successfully submitted. Please resubmit or email us at geyseradmin@geysercf.org.nz