Environment Fund

Applications open 1 June and close midnight 30 June.

A total of $4,750 is available for distribution in 2026. No gift will exceed 50% of the funds available in any one year to one project or community organisation.

Purpose and who can apply

Through the Environment Fund, Geyser Community Foundation supports charitable purposes, local charities and community organisations whose activities are focused on advancing the protection, promotion and preservation of the natural environment, and flora and fauna of the Rotorua and Taupō District communities, including Tūrangi, Mangakino, Murupara and Kaingaroa.

What We Fund

Funding requests can be made for:

• Operational costs (such as wages, salaries, administration, rent, utilities, office expenses, volunteer expenses, consumables and supplies)
• Project or programme costs (such as community programmes, activities, initiatives, events, materials and resources)

What We Don’t Fund

The Environment Fund does not fund:

• Non-charitable purposes
• Sports related costs such as uniforms, events, trips, competitions
• Organisations where the main purpose is to promote a message rather than provide a service
• Groups operating outside New Zealand
• Disaster relief organisations
• Urgent or retrospective applications:
  Projects, programmes, events and costs must not commence or be incurred before funding decisions are made in August/September 2026.
  If your project is due to start around the funding decision dates, please contact us before submitting an application.

Ineligible Expenditure Types
Funding cannot be used for:

• Land, buildings, capital works or major asset purchases
• Vehicle or property purchases
• The establishment of loan, scholarship, grant or endowment funds
• Overseas projects or travel

Environment Fund Focus Areas

The Environment Fund focuses on supporting practical, community-based projects and activities that contribute to the protection and care of the natural environment and encourage sustainable practices.

Examples include:

• Pest control
• Gardening and food-growing skills
• Soil improvement through composting
• Waste minimisation through recycling and repurposing

Projects should relate to environmental sustainability and may include, but are not limited to:

• Biodiversity (plants, animals and birds, both native and exotic)
• Geothermal vegetation
• Land and soil
• Water quality

Before You Apply

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

• A description of your organisation’s charitable purpose and activities.
• Details of the project, programme or operational costs you are seeking funding for.
• Proof or verification of your organisation’s bank account details.
• Supporting financial information relevant to your funding request, such as costs, budgets and/or quotes.
• 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.

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.
• Gifts must be used for the charitable purpose for which they were granted.
• Successful applicant/s will be selected by Geyser Community Foundation. The decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
• 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 special awards functions to be held in Rotorua and Taupo (dates tbc)
• 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

Recipients will be required to attend and provide a verbal report at a Round Table Meeting (these will be in June 2027 with dates confirmed closer to the time) about how they spent the gift and outline the benefits gained. Please ensure you have taken this into consideration when applying.

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: Taupo 22 September 2026 & Rotorua 24 September 2026
Grant Payment: 20 September 2026
Round Table Reporting: June 2027 (Date TBC)

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