Call for Proposals: Welcoming Communities Fund (New Zealand)

The Welcoming communities fund is a community funding opportunity from Hamilton City Council that supports new projects and activities to promote inclusive leadership, welcoming communications, equitable access, connected communities, and related outcomes. It is designed to strengthen how Hamilton Kirikiriroa welcomes newcomers, including recent migrants, former refugees, international students, and anyone new to the city. The fund pool is $75,000 and the application deadline is 1 June 2027 (deadline time and time zone not specified in the source). Hamilton City Council’s Welcoming communities fund is intended to enable new projects and activities that support the development and delivery of outcomes within Hamilton’s Welcoming Plan. The grant builds on initiatives delivered from 2022–2025 and forms part of the Council’s broader Welcoming Communities journey. The opportunity is linked to New Zealand’s Welcoming Communities work, including the international Welcoming Communities Standard adapted for New Zealand. The Council describes the Welcoming Communities approach as a collaboration involving mana whenua and community organizations, with the aim of creating welcoming and inclusive environments for newcomers. Hamilton City Council’s purpose for this fund is to support and enable new Welcoming Communities projects and activities that help welcome people into the local community. Key financial and benefit-related details from the source include: The source does not specify other non-financial benefits (e.g., mentoring, reporting support) beyond general accountability requirements and the plan/outcome alignment described. In general, Hamilton City Council funds community organizations that meet the following criteria: Additional eligibility notes from the source: Funding priority is given to applications for new projects/activities that align to at least one of the outcomes of the Welcoming Plan. The supported Welcoming Plan outcomes are: The source also notes that applications requesting a new development or an extension of an existing programme where newcomers benefit may be considered, but applicants should talk to the team first. This fund matters for community organizations working to strengthen how Hamilton Kirikiriroa welcomes newcomers and supports belonging. By requiring alignment with the Welcoming Plan outcomes—such as inclusive leadership, equitable access, civic engagement, welcoming public spaces, and culture and identity—the grant is positioned to fund practical initiatives that build connections between newcomers and existing residents. For applicants, the clear focus on new welcoming activities (and the exclusion of retrospective requests) can help shape project planning and ensure the proposed work is properly timed within the funding round. The source states you’ll need to register on SmartyGrants before completing your application. The source indicates the guidelines explain what you need to get together before applying. The source says help is available through SmartyGrants online guides and video tutorials after logging in. It also lists: The source does not provide a direct submission link in the text provided, but the application process is clearly tied to SmartyGrants. The funding round is open until 1 June 2027. The source does not specify the deadline time or time zone. Contact details (for application support):

1) What is the Welcoming communities fund for?

It supports and enables new Welcoming Communities projects and activities aligned with Hamilton’s Welcoming Plan outcomes, including inclusive leadership, welcoming communications, equitable access, civic participation, welcoming public spaces, and culture and identity.

2) How much funding can my organization apply for?

The source states applicants must not request more than $5,000. The total fund pool for the round is $75,000.

3) Who can apply?

In general, only legally constituted not-for-profit community organizations (charitable trusts or incorporated societies) that have been operating for at least 12 months, can deliver the project, hold required governance/financial records, and agree to grant terms and accountability requirements.

4) Is this grant restricted to a specific location?

The opportunity is provided by Hamilton City Council and focuses on Hamilton Kirikiriroa. The source does not explicitly list other eligible regions or countries.

5) What kinds of projects will not be funded?

The source lists exclusions including: business as usual, projects/operational costs already substantially funded by Council, retrospective funding, political organizations or social clubs, debt/loan/mortgage repayments or investments, and certain costs directly paid back to Council (e.g., venue hire).

6) When is the deadline to apply?

The source states the funding round is open until 1 June 2027. Deadline time and time zone are not specified in the source.

7) How long does it take to hear back after applying?

The source states it could be up to 4–8 weeks before the outcome is known, with applications assessed at regular intervals. If your organization is a not-for-profit community organization and can deliver a new welcoming-focused project that aligns with the Welcoming Plan outcomes, review the Welcoming Plan and the detailed grant guidelines on SmartyGrants before submitting. Then follow the stated application steps and ensure your project timing avoids retrospective funding, since Council does not fund projects that have already started or completed.