Call for Lottery Funding for Community Support Services (New Zealand)

Deadline: 29-Sep-2026

The Lottery Fund is inviting applications from New Zealand organisations that provide ongoing community support services to help individuals, families, and communities overcome barriers and improve wellbeing. Funding can support operational costs and, where appropriate, multi-year support of up to three years for services that deliver sustained community benefit.

About the Lottery Fund

The Lottery Fund distributes profits generated from New Zealand lotteries to support projects, initiatives, and activities that provide public community benefit. The funding aims to help build strong and sustainable communities across New Zealand by supporting organisations that address barriers, strengthen individual and community capability, improve wellbeing, and increase participation. What Does the Lottery Fund Support? The funding is intended for organisations delivering ongoing community support services, rather than short-term or one-off activities. Examples of eligible community support services may include: - Budgeting and financial mentoring - Whānau support - Youth mentoring - Migrant settlement assistance - Community houses providing support and connection services - Ongoing guidance, advocacy, information, and early intervention - Services that help individuals and families overcome barriers and improve wellbeing The key requirement is that the service provides continuing support and produces broader community benefits. Who Is Eligible? Eligible organisations must have a primary purpose focused on supporting: - Individuals - Families - Groups - Whānau - Communities Their work should help people overcome barriers, improve wellbeing, strengthen capability, or increase participation. Organisations should also be delivering ongoing services such as: - Support and guidance - Advocacy - Mentoring - Information and advice - Early intervention - Community connection and support The organisation’s services must benefit the wider community rather than being limited to a one-off activity. What Funding Can Be Used For? Lottery Fund support can contribute to operational costs associated with delivering ongoing community support services. The funding may also provide multi-year support for up to three years, where the organisation and service meet the relevant requirements. This makes the opportunity particularly relevant for organisations that need sustained operational support to continue delivering essential community services. What Is Not Funded? The Lottery Fund is not intended to support activities that fall outside the definition of ongoing community support.

Funding does not cover:

- One-off projects - Stand-alone activities - Services that do not provide ongoing community support - Activities that do not meet the fund’s requirements for sustained support, guidance, advocacy, mentoring, information, or early intervention Organisations should clearly demonstrate that their services are ongoing and address continuing community needs. Community Outcomes and Impact Applicants should explain how their organisation’s services contribute to positive outcomes for the communities they serve. A strong application should clearly describe: - The barriers faced by the target community - How the organisation’s services respond to those barriers - Who benefits from the services - How ongoing support improves wellbeing - How services strengthen individual or community capability - How the organisation increases participation and connection - The broader community benefit created through the organisation’s work How to Apply Applicants must provide information demonstrating their organisation’s purpose, financial position, service delivery, and expected community outcomes.

Application requirements include:

- An organisational budget - A description of service delivery - Intended community outcomes - Financial accounts - A completed organisation profile - Evidence that all relevant reporting requirements are being met Applicants should ensure that financial information and organisational documents are complete and consistent before submitting an application. How to Prepare a Strong Application Organisations can strengthen their application by clearly connecting their services to the needs of the community. Explain the Ongoing Nature of Your Service Clearly demonstrate that the organisation provides continuing support rather than a single event, programme, or short-term activity. Describe the Community Need Explain the barriers faced by individuals, families, whānau, or communities and why ongoing support is needed. Show Measurable Community Outcomes Describe the changes the organisation expects to achieve, such as improved wellbeing, stronger capability, increased participation, greater community connection, or better access to support. Provide Clear Financial Information Make sure the organisational budget and financial accounts accurately reflect the organisation’s operations and funding requirements. Demonstrate Public Community Benefit Explain how the organisation’s work contributes to stronger, more sustainable communities and benefits the wider community. Key Facts About the Lottery Fund

- Location: New Zealand

- Funding source: Profits from New Zealand lotteries

- Applicants: New Zealand organisations

- Focus: Ongoing community support services

- Funding type: Operational support

- Potential duration: Up to three years of multi-year support

- Examples: Financial mentoring, whānau support, youth mentoring, migrant settlement, community houses

- One-off projects: Not eligible

- Application documents: Organisational budget, service delivery information, community outcomes, financial accounts, and organisation profile

- Reporting: Applicants must meet all relevant reporting requirements

Why This Funding Matters Ongoing community support services can play an important role in helping people overcome financial, social, cultural, and other barriers. By supporting organisations that provide mento