Taupō Fund

Applications open 1 June and close midnight 30 June.

A total of $7,300 is available to be distributed 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 Taupō Fund, Geyser Community Foundation supports charitable purposes, local charities
and community organisations whose activities are focused on, or directly benefit, the Taupō community, including Tūrangi and Mangakino.

Applicants must be one of the following:

• An Incorporated Society
• A Registered Charity
• A School/Kura

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 Taupō Fund does not fund:

• Non-charitable purposes
• Arts (funding for arts projects should be made to the Arts Fund)
• 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
• Support for individuals – please see list of available scholarships here
• Overseas projects or travel

Taupō Fund Focus Areas

The Taupō Fund focuses on supporting organisations, projects and programmes that contribute to one or more of the following outcomes:

1. Supporting households to reduce inequity
   • Improving basic household financial and life skills
   • Supporting safe, healthy and warm homes

2. Support to young adults
   • Successful transition from education to employment
   • Engage young adults who are not in education, employment or training

3. Health & Wellness/Safety Initiatives
   • Supporting services to reduce harm from drug abuse and domestic violence
   • Locally based health organisations providing support for people with medical conditions or accessing treatment
   • Locally based organisations supporting children with specific health or education needs

4. Support to build stronger local communities
   • Cultural development and diversity including Kaupapa Māori and Multicultural Communities
   • Gender diversity
   • Inclusive communities, including inter-generational and elderly
   • Supporting community volunteers

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. Please click on ‘Apply Now’ at the top of this page to login or create an account. For new users, click on ‘Not a member?’ and follow the prompts.

Applications forms can be found under the ‘Funding Programs’ Tab. (2026 Grant Funding)

Note: 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

Other important information

• Late applications will not be accepted.
• No one gift will exceed 50% of the total funds available.
• 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 a special awards function to be held in Taupo on 5 September 2024.
• 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: Taupō 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