Exclusions and limitations

The Foundation aims to be a broad community funder however, we recognise we cannot fund everything. Whilst the focus areas and theories of change identify priorities for funding, specified exclusions guide applicants in understanding what we are unlikely to fund or have limitations on funding, given the constraints of the grants budget.

An organisation is generally not able to receive more than one grant in a 12-month period. Exceptions will be made, on a case-by-case basis; for organisations providing an umbrella function, where there is a demonstrated and urgent need for additional support or where flexibility in timelines are needed for organisations in transition or organisations engaged in prototyping.

Items we will not generally fund

Costs that are regarded as being primarily the responsibility of central or local Government. We acknowledge however that many community building projects and iconic projects can only be funded in partnership with central and local government. 

Examples of items we will not fund (note: this is not an exhaustive list):

• Schools including school facilities, school resources, school equipment, school classrooms, school uniforms, IT suites in schools and administration blocks, school halls, school gymnasiums, school swimming pools, school gardens, core education provision (core curriculum delivery)
• External providers delivering programmes or resources into schools that can be regarded as part of the delivery of core Ministry of Education curriculum
• New early childhood education centres
• Council-maintained sports fields
• Roads and street lighting
• Core health and social services (including salaries of health professionals, Primary Health Organisations, District Health Boards, hospitals, clinics, core primary healthcare, medical equipment (hospital and dental)
• Tertiary education institutions and related clubs (including teaching and buildings). We may occasionally fund projects where there is a direct benefit to community. This is limited to one application per year via the University’s Foundation.
• Academic research
• Rescue helicopters, fire and ambulance services
• Hospice facilities and services
• Leaky building repairs as defined in the Weather Tight Home Resolution Services Act
• Facilities owned by government or Council-controlled Organisations (CCOs)
• Marae linked to educational institutions

Building projects:

• Feasibility studies, needs analysis, project plan development, building consents, resource consents, Quantity Surveyor or architectural drawings
• Purchase of buildings
• Aged care facilities and services (Note: in some cases, we may consider initiatives that are owned and proposed by community, where there is no intention to sell to private owners)
• If Foundation North has provided a grant over $1 million or has been at least a 50% funder of a large capital grant, it is unlikely to consider any further funding application within three years of the grant (Note: This will be built into the conditions of all building project grants over $1m)

Financial:

• Retrospective funding
• Debt repayment
• Refinancing of existing loans
• Endowments

International costs:

• Travel and other costs incurred overseas
• Overseas aid

Projects seeking to promote religious or political objectives

Individuals

Projects that create benefit, especially financially, for private owners (except for Nga Whenua Rahui legal agreements or land under QE II Covenant)

Fundraising activities and organisations

Funding to run conferences

Items we will not generally fund

Foodbanks – We will consider applications from foodbanks, up to a maximum of $50,000.

Organisations that focus on a single health issue – funding up to $25,000 under Quick Response Grants will be considered.

We will not fund operating costs at more than 30% of organisation’s total expenditure (based on the previous year’s financial statements).

We will consider funding for sports uniforms and equipment for children and young people aged between 5 and 18 years, up to a maximum of $10,000.