Grants and Funding

Council administers several grants to support groups and individuals in our community.

Find out which grants you are eligible to apply for

Subscribe to our Funding and Grants eNewsletter to receive updates about available funding and application dates.

Grants available include: 

Multi Year Community Grants 

Community groups and organisations play an integral role in supporting community well-being. Multi-year grants are contested by community groups every three years, and applications for the current period closed 19 April 2021. Applicants were invited to present their proposals in person on 12 and 13 May 2021. Final decisions on the applications and the overall Long Term Plan were made on 30 June 2021.

Read the policy on multi-year (and single year) grants (pdf, 533KB)

Single Year Community Grants

This year, Council has set aside $30,000 ($10,000 for each ward) over two funding rounds to assist with funding community based projects. This year, Council has set aside $30,000 ($10,000 for each ward) over two funding rounds to assist with funding community based projects.

Read the policy on single year (and multi year) grants (pdf, 533KB)

Creative Communities Funding

We administer the Creative Communities Scheme that provides funding for arts and cultural projects in our district. The money comes from a national arts body, Creative New Zealand.

District Events Funding

Are you running an event to benefit the community within our district? We have $20,000 a year available to help community groups deliver great events in the Matamata-Piako District.

There are no funding round application dates. Applications can be made at any time during the year. Funds can be used for new events or to help existing events to grow.

Read our Events Funding Policy (pdf, 220KB)

Natural, Cultural and Built Heritage Grant Policy

This fund provides grants for plans, reports and one-off projects that will protect, conserve and promote New Zealand's natural, cultural and physical heritage and also support community groups with resource consents costs.

Mayoral Fund Policy

The Mayor receives regular requests for grants, donations and financial assistance to support ad-hoc projects and community initiatives. While many requests are dealt with through applications for other Council provided or administered grants, the Mayor has the discretion to allocate funding from the Mayoral Fund.

Dr Lawrence & Elsie Mackie Memorial Trusts

Dr Lawrence and Elsie Mackie Memorial Trust grants are available to people from Te Aroha and the surrounding country areas (Elstow, Manawaru, Mangaiti, Ngarua, Springdale, Te Aroha West, Wairakau, Waihou and Waitoa). This funding is provided for 'charitable purposes', for both groups or individuals.

Waste Minimisation Contestable Fund

We have funding through the Waste Levy, to allocate towards community driven projects to minimise waste headed for landfill. Our focus is minimising food waste, as according to our 2020 waste audit, 35 tonnes of food waste goes to landfill, through kerbside services and private wheelie bins.

We know other forms of waste have an impact on the environment, so we welcome projects for how we can minimise the impact from other forms of waste as well.

Applicants can apply for up to $10,000 per year.

To see how the fund can be used, read through our policy and submit your application through our online grants portal between 11 April and 13 May 2022. Read more about the contestable fund. 

Read the Policy Register to Apply for Grants Login to start your application

If you need help filling in the application process, please contact us on (07) 884 0060 during business hours (8.30am-4.30pm Mon-Fri), Facebook messenger or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.