Apply Now: Inspiring Futures Foundation Grants (New Zealand)

Deadline: 30-Sep-2026

The Inspiring Futures Foundation is inviting individuals and organisations connected to New Zealand’s trades and technical industries to apply for grants supporting vocational training, research, workforce capability development, and lifelong learning. The Foundation aims to strengthen the capability of New Zealand’s trades and technical workforce by supporting initiatives that attract, retain, and develop people across key industries.

About the Inspiring Futures Foundation

The Inspiring Futures Foundation was established to strengthen New Zealand’s trades and technical industries through targeted funding for workforce development and lifelong learning. The Foundation seeks to create a positive and lasting impact on: - Stakeholder industries - Learners and trainees - The broader learning environment - Workforce capability - Skills development and career progression Its funding approach is focused on activities that can contribute to stronger, more capable, and sustainable trades and technical industries. Industries Supported by the Foundation Grants are available to individuals and organisations operating within the Foundation’s defined trades and technical industries.

These include:

- Automotive - Collision repair and refinishing - Commercial road transport - Passenger services - Mining and quarrying - Warehousing and logistics - Industrial textile fabrication - Drilling - Gas - Stevedoring and ports - Resource recovery Applicants should ensure that their activities are directly connected to one of these defined industries. What Can Grant Funding Support? The Foundation provides funding for a broad range of activities that contribute to workforce capability, training, learning, research, and industry development.

Potential uses of funding include:

- Capability building - Programme development and delivery - Capital expenditure - Fundraising - Travel and accommodation - Research and development - Apprenticeship support - Continuity of learning during disruptive events The proposed expenditure should have a clear connection to the eligible industry and demonstrate a meaningful purpose or benefit. Foundation Priorities The Foundation places particular emphasis on activities that help attract, retain, and grow people within New Zealand’s trades and technical industries.

Priority areas include:

- Ongoing vocational training - Skills development - Workforce capability - Apprenticeship development - Career pathway advancement - Lifelong learning - Research and development - Industry capacity building Projects that demonstrate a clear pathway toward strengthening the industry’s workforce may be favourably considered. Who Can Apply? Eligible applicants can include both organisations and individuals connected to the relevant industries. Potential eligible applicant types include: - Registered charities - Incorporated societies - Organisations with donee status - Community groups - Individuals connected to eligible industries Applicants must operate within the Foundation’s defined industries and satisfy the applicable requirements. Applicant Requirements Applicants are expected to demonstrate that they have a sustainable basis for delivering their proposed activities.

Important requirements include having:

- A sustainable financial model - A strategic plan or clear vision - A connection to one or more defined industries - A clear purpose for the proposed funding - Potential positive impact on the relevant industry and community Applications that demonstrate matching financial or in-kind support may be favourably considered. Applicants should therefore clearly identify any contribution they or their partners are making toward the proposed activity. What Makes an Application Strong? A strong application should clearly explain why the project is needed and how it will contribute to the Foundation’s objectives.

Applicants should demonstrate:

- A clear and well-defined purpose - Strong connection to an eligible industry - Workforce or learning benefits - Positive industry impact - Positive community impact where relevant - A realistic project plan - Appropriate financial planning - Matching financial or in-kind support where available - Long-term value and sustainability The application should make it easy for assessors to understand how the proposed project will contribute to workforce capability and lifelong learning. Activities the Foundation Does Not Fund The Foundation does not support certain activities or requests.

Ineligible areas include:

- Activities that benefit an individual or organisation purely on a commercial basis - Political parties - Divisive religious activities - Activities outside the defined industries - Retrospective projects - Ad-hoc emergency relief - Debt reduction requests Applicants should ensure that their proposals do not fall within these excluded categories. Supporting Documents Required Applications are submitted online and require supporting information to demonstrate the feasibility and purpose of the proposed activity.

Supporting documents may include:

- Financial statements - Quotes - Project or business plan - References Applicants should ensure that supporting documents are complete and consistent with the information provided in the application. Grant Application Rounds Grant rounds typically open twice each year, generally in: - March - September Applicants should monitor the Foundation’s application opportunities and prepare their documentation ahead of the relevant grant round. How Applications Are Assessed The Foundation uses a multi-stage assessment process designed to provide a transparent review of applications.

The process involves:

- Initial assessment of submitted applications. - Trustee review of applications. - Board ratification of funding decisions. Applicants should ensure that their proposals provide sufficient evidence to allow the application to be assessed effectively at each stage. How to Apply Applications are submitted