FUNDING OVERVIEW
LEARN ABOUT ROTORUA TRUST’S FUNDING PRIORITIES, CHECK ELIGIBILITY, AND ACCESS OUR GRANTS PORTAL
Our
Strategy & Priorities
Since 1994, Rotorua Trust has invested over $130 million back into our community. Financial returns on the Trust’s investments enable the granting of funds across the Trust’s five strategic priorities.
If you are interested in applying for funding, we recommend that you first read the details about our strategy, criteria and funding rounds.
There is also a resources page provided with resources to support you in making funding applications.
Who Can Apply?
Eligible:
- A registered charity
- An incorporated society
- A registered charitable trust
- A limited liability company fully owned by one of the above, operating for charitable purposes
- Controlled or coordinated by an arm of central or local government
- Controlled by an association of persons under an adopted constitution and rules, with acceptable financial accounts and annual reports.
Your organisation must also be located within the Rotorua Trust boundary.
Not eligible:
- Organisations run for private profit
- Individuals
- Items/expenses that have already been paid for
All grant applications are to be submitted online. With the exception of December, applications close on the last day of each month and will have a funding outcome confirmed by the following month. Applications submitted in December will be considered at the Trust’s February meeting.
Note – Rotorua Civic Arts Trust:
– Rotorua Civic Arts Trust considers applications up to a maximum amount of $5,000.
– Amounts over $5,000 should be directed to Rotorua Trust.
– Applications can only be made to either Rotorua Civic Arts Trust or Rotorua Trust.
Funding Rounds
Grants up to $50,000
Funding applications up to $50,000 are reviewed in the Trust’s monthly funding rounds. Applications submitted by the due date are reviewed at the Trust’s next board meeting, subject to all required documents being provided.
Grants over $50,000
Funding applications over $50,000 have a longer review period, of a minimum of two months. The applicant will be informed which Board Meeting their application will be brought to. Applications over $50,000 will require additional documentation, such as a business case and/or a meeting with Rotorua Trust.
All funding applications are to be submitted online.
The decision to approve or decline a funding application lies with the Trustees, who meet every month (apart from January) to consider each grant request and the accompanying funding recommendation. Trustees will generally only consider one application from an organisation over 12 months.
All applications are reviewed during the due diligence process, during which we will contact applicants if additional information is required. We welcome applicants to contact us before applying.
2025 REVIEW DATES
| Application Due Date | Board Meeting |
| Wednesday, 30 April 2025 | Friday, 30 May 2025 |
| Saturday, 31 May 2025 | Friday, 27 June 2025 |
| Monday, 30 June 2025 | Friday, 25 July 2025 |
| Thursday, 31 July 2025 | Friday, 29 August 2025 |
| Sunday, 31 August 2025 | Friday, 26 September 2025 |
| Tuesday, 30 September 2025 | Friday, 31 October 2025 |
| Funding applications are not being reviewed at the November board meeting | |
| Monday, 17 November | Friday, 12 December 2025 |
Ready to Apply? Follow These Steps
step 1. Create or Access Your Account:
To get started with your funding application, you’ll need to log in or set up a new account on our Grants Portal. When creating an account, you will need to input your email address and set a password.
Rotorua Trust now uses the GrantsConnect platform (by Blackbaud) to manage all applications. If this is your first time applying, don’t worry—it’s quick and easy to create your account.
Once your account is set up, return to the Rotorua Trust website to continue with Step 2: Start a New Application.
From 1 July 2025, all grant recipients will also use this portal to:
- View their funding agreements
- Submit accountability reports
These forms will include pre-filled summaries from your application, followed by a few short questions and the option to upload financial reports or other supporting documents.
step 2. Start a New Application:
Once your account is ready, you can begin your funding application.
You can select your organisation by searching for its legal name or Charities Services Number. If you are a subsidiary or local branch of a national organisation and using their Charities Services number, when you reach the Application Details section of this form, please enter your branch name in the ‘Project Name’ field, for example, ‘Rotorua Walking Club Operating Expenses‘.
If your organisation is not showing in the database when you search for it, click ‘Add Organisation’ and input your organisation name and NZBN. We have included a step-by-step guide to this process below.
You can view a preview of the application form here. Note: all funding applications must be submitted via the Grants Portal.
Need Help? On our resources page, follow our step-by-step guide to walk through the whole application process, including how to create your account, register your organisation and complete and submit your application.
We have also provided resources: templates and helpful tips to help you prepare a strong funding application and navigate Rotorua Trust’s funding process.
Quick access: Step-by-Step Guide to the rotorua trust grants portal
Follow these steps to create your account and start your Rotorua Trust grant application:
Step 1: Create Your Account
- Click ‘Login to Grants Portal’.
- Select ‘Create account’ to begin setting up your GrantsConnect account.
- Choose how you’d like to sign in:
- Continue with Email (recommended), or
- Use Google or Apple if your email matches an existing GrantsConnect account.
- Enter your email address and click Continue.
- You’ll receive a confirmation code from noreply@blackbaud.com.
- Open your inbox in a new tab and enter the code on the sign-up page.
- After verifying your email, enter your name and create a secure password.
- Click Sign Up to complete your account setup.
Return to the Rotorua Trust Website
Once your account is created and verified, return to the Rotorua Trust website ‘Grants‘ page to access the application form.
Step 2: Start a New Application
- Click ‘Start New Application’.
- On the Select Your Organisation screen:
- Search for your organisation.
- If it doesn’t appear, click ‘Add Organisation’ and complete the registration form.
In the example below, we have searched for Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust, then clicked Add Organisation. You will need to use the search tool for the ‘Add New Organisation’ button to display.
Then, select New Zealand as the location, and input your NZBN or Incorporated Society Number
Next, enter in your Organisation Name, and if you have a website, put the url.
Complete and Submit Your Application
- Fill in all required fields (marked with a red asterisk *).
- You can use the templates provided on this resources page to assist you.
- Your progress is saved automatically—you can return later to complete and submit.
RESOURCES
GST Explained
budget templates
Applicants are welcome to use these budget templates. We’ve provided a Word document format and an Excel spreadsheet format to assist you in presenting your project costs, income, and funding sources.
top tips for funding applicants
This handout offers practical advice on how to strengthen your funding applications, from planning your project to measuring its impact.