Donate Now

The Bushman's Son Award

The Bushman’s Son Award

Total Value for 2026: $1,550

Applications for open 1 June and close midnight 30 June 2026.

The purpose of The Bushman’s Son Award is to support talented, emerging artists and writers, residing or having family connections in the Bay of Plenty region, including the Rotorua District to study, engage with or participate in visual or written arts (drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, graphics, architecture, writing and poetry).

Criteria for applicants

  • Applicants must not have professional status, i.e. be paid to carry out their chosen field of art.
  • The same applicant could win an award in consecutive years.
  • Should there be insufficient applicants in the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua District communities, then opportunities will be offered to emerging writers (including adults) residing or having family links in other areas located within close proximity such as Taupō and Tokoroa,
  • An interview may be required before final selection.
  • Applicants must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.


Funds are to be used to support emerging artists and writers to study, engage with or participate in visual or written arts. Examples include:

  • Purchase of materials
  • Study/Course fees
  • Venue hire
  • Publicity and promotion
  • Printing and advertising


Urgent or retrospective applications:
Events and costs must not commence or be incurred before funding decisions are made in August/September 2026.
If your event or costs is due to start around the funding decision dates, please contact us before submitting an application.

 

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.

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.
  • Funds must be used for the charitable purpose for which it is granted.
  • The successful applicant/s will be selected by the Donor, Terry Fergusson-Hughes 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 Award will be presented to the successful applicant/s in September.
  • The successful applicant/s will be required to supply appropriate documentation such as receipts, to prove that funds have been spent for the charitable purposes specified.
  • The recipient/s will be required to provide a written report about how they spent the Award and outline the benefits gained.  Reports must be received by the Geyser Community Foundation within six months of the recipient/s having received the gift.
  • The 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 Award and the way in which the gift has been spent may be used by the Geyser Community Foundation for promotional purposes.
  • It is expected that the recipient/s will use the gift within 12 months of receipt.
  • An award may be revoked if a recipient’s behaviour is inappropriate or the recipient has breached conditions of the award

 

Reporting

The successful applicants will be required to provide a written report about how they spent the grants and outline the impact it has made on their lives. 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
Accountability Reports: 31 March 2027

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