2026 Information and Instructions

The Expression of Interest (EOI) is the first stage in applying to Foundation North for support for your Community Building Project. 

EOI Questions: The first part of the form asks questions about alignment to Foundation North’s strategy, community collaboration, and community benefit and about project readiness. We are also asking applicants to consider the ways in which your proposed facility considers inclusion and accessibility of all peoples, environmental impact, and social procurement.

It is best to gather all your documentation before you begin. The items in bold are mandatory documents. If you have the other documents, please include them. You should only need to upload documentation once in the EOI/ Application process. Should you wish to update the documents in the application form go to the DOCUMENTS SECTION at the bottom of the form.

The application form in Funding Hub can be saved as you go along and edited at a later date.

Expression of Interest - EOI

• 1 April 2026 - Accepting EOIs via the Funding Hub
• 5 June 2026 - EOI closing date (We will do site visits with groups that have applied from 22 June to 3 July 2026)
• Late August 2026 - Trustee decision on which EOIs to move forward for a full application

Full Application

• 30 October 2026 - Full application deadline for capital building projects
• Late March 2027 - Trustee funding decision

Alignment to Strategy

1. Select the focus area your application is most aligned with?
2. How does your project / service align to the “focus area” selected above?
3. What sector does your application primarily align?
4. What is the primary area (region) you will be working in when using this grant?
5. Which organisations do you work and collaborate with and how do you work with them?
6. How will the community benefit from this project? What needs will be met in the community, and what differences do you expect to see?

Universal Design

Demonstrate how people with a wide range of needs - body sizes and capabilities - have been considered in the design of the building, including how people will travel to and access the building?

7. How has social inclusion been considered in the design of spaces?
8. How have users, mana whenua, and the community been involved in the design process to ensure that diverse needs are met?
9. How has cultural appropriateness for people and place been considered, respected and reinforced during the design phase, and in the building design?

Sustainability – environmental / business

10. Demonstrate how the negative impact of the building design, construction and operations on the environment has been minimised with consideration to:
    — The natural ecosystem and biodiversity of the site
    — The use of potable water and sustainable use of water on site
    — Energy use and emissions
    — Materials selection and use
    — The quality and management of the indoor environment
    
11. Describe any additional innovations that contribute to high standards of environment sustainability that has been applied to the building design, such as the application of te Ao Māori design or other Indigenous principles or Living Building Challenge.
    

Social Procurement

12. What is your approach to social procurement during construction and beyond? For example, purchase of goods and services, labour, and employment.

Organisation: Financial information

13. What do you anticipate changing in your financial revenue streams that will enable you maintain the operations and maintenance of the building over time? You will need to provide financial statements with your application.

Project: Description

14. What do you want funding for? Please describe the current or planned activity or project, timings, etc.
15. Is there anything else you would like to tell us about the region of delivery for this project?
16. What is the total cost of the project? ($)
17. How much are you likely to request from Foundation North? ($)
18. Construction Funding (complete the table)

Project: Information

19. What is the current status of the project?
20. Has a Feasibility Study or any other form of needs assessments/background research been completed? Upload Feasibility Study
21. Has a Business Case or a strategic plan been completed? Upload Business Case
22. When using this grant, is there a cost to participate in or access your service
23. Please give details of the cost to participants
24. Have you completed a utilisation projection/profile for this facility? Upload Utilisation Profile
25. Do you have construction project QS or costings? Upload a copy of the costing document(s). Provide breakdown of construction, FFE, landscaping and contingency
26. Do you have a funding plan? Upload Funding Plan
27. Do you have, or have you lodged Resource Consent? Upload confirmation of Resource Consent
28. Do you have, or have you lodged Building Consent? Upload confirmation of Building Consent
29. Do you have Construction Insurance in place? Upload confirmation of Construction Insurance
30. Do you have a Construction Contract with pricing in place? Upload confirmation of Construction Contract
31. Do you have a Project Manager construction agreement in place? Upload confirmation of Project Manager agreement
32. Do you have confirmation of Landowner Permission? Upload confirmation of Landowner Permission
33. Do you have Facility Design or Plans documentation? Upload Facility Design/Plans