Call for Tahua Whaihua Hapori Community Outcomes Fund (New Zealand)

Deadline: 04-Sep-2026

The Wellington City Council Tahua Whaihua Hapori Community Outcomes Fund provides grants of $500 to $4,999 for community-led projects that improve safety, wellbeing, resilience, and social connection in Wellington City. From 1 July 2026, $32,500 is available for grants in this funding range. The fund focuses on two priorities: Safety and Wellbeing, which receives 55% of available funding, and Community Resilience and Connection, which receives 45%. Eligible projects may support community safety, homelessness responses, sexual violence prevention, temporary or quality housing, equitable access to nutritious food, community-centre networks, residents associations, and other initiatives that strengthen community wellbeing and connection. Applicants must be a legal entity or operate under one and must be based in or deliver their project within Wellington City Council boundaries. Grants must be used within 12 months of approval. Funding does not support retrospective costs, religious or political activities, individual expenses, core healthcare services, or projects primarily benefiting individuals rather than the wider community. What Is the Tahua Whaihua Hapori Community Outcomes Fund? The Tahua Whaihua Hapori Community Outcomes Fund is a Wellington City Council funding program supporting community-led projects that contribute to a safer, healthier, more resilient, and inclusive Wellington. The fund is designed to help communities develop and deliver initiatives that respond to local needs while contributing to Wellington City Council’s strategic priorities. Projects should demonstrate a clear community benefit and contribute to one or more of the fund’s priority areas. What Are the Main Funding Priorities?

The fund has two primary priorities:

- Safety and Wellbeing - Community Resilience and Connection The available funding is divided between these priorities: - 55% for Safety and Wellbeing - 45% for Community Resilience and Connection These priorities are reviewed regularly through the Council’s planning processes so that the fund can continue to respond to changing community needs. Safety and Wellbeing The Safety and Wellbeing priority supports projects that contribute to a safer and healthier Wellington.

Eligible initiatives may focus on:

- Community-led safety - Homelessness responses - Sexual violence prevention - Temporary housing - Quality housing - Access to nutritious food - Other community wellbeing initiatives Projects should demonstrate a clear connection between their activities and improved safety or wellbeing outcomes for the wider community. Community Resilience and Connection The Community Resilience and Connection priority focuses on strengthening relationships, community networks, and the ability of communities to respond to challenges.

Projects may support:

- Social connection - Community networks - Community centres - Residents associations - Local resilience initiatives - Inclusive community activities - Stronger relationships among residents The objective is to create communities where people can connect, participate, support one another, and respond collectively to challenges. Community-Led Safety Initiatives The fund can support community-led projects designed to improve safety in Wellington City. Such initiatives should demonstrate how local communities can contribute to safer environments and stronger community wellbeing. Applicants should clearly explain the local safety issue being addressed and how the proposed project will benefit the wider community. Homelessness Support Projects that strengthen approaches to homelessness can align with the fund’s Safety and Wellbeing priority. Initiatives should demonstrate how they contribute to improving outcomes for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness while generating broader community benefits. Sexual Violence Prevention The fund also supports initiatives focused on sexual violence prevention. Projects should demonstrate how community-based activities can contribute to prevention, awareness, safety, or stronger community responses. Housing Initiatives Eligible projects may include activities supporting temporary or quality housing, particularly initiatives benefiting Māori whānau. Applicants should explain how their housing-related project addresses a genuine community need and contributes to safety, wellbeing, or resilience. Equitable Access to Nutritious Food The fund can support initiatives designed to improve equitable access to nutritious food. Projects should focus on community-level benefits and demonstrate how activities will improve access for people or communities experiencing barriers. Community Centres and Residents Associations Projects can also strengthen networks involving: - Community centres - Residents associations - Local community groups These networks can help improve communication, participation, social connection, and community resilience. Grant Amount

Applicants can request funding between:

$500 and $4,999 A total of $32,500 is available for grants in this funding range from 1 July 2026. Funding is limited, and much of the overall fund has already been committed through multi-year agreements. Applicants are therefore encouraged to request an amount that reflects the genuine financial need and scale of their project. Grant Duration

Approved funding must be used within:

12 months of approval Applicants should therefore develop a realistic project timeline and ensure that all proposed activities can be completed within the permitted period. Who Can Apply? Applicants must meet the fund’s organizational and geographic requirements.

Eligible applicants must:

- Be a legal entity, or operate under a legal entity. - Be based within Wellington City Council boundaries, or - Deliver the proposed project within Wellington City Council boundaries. - Align the project with one or more fund priorities. The project itself should provide meaningful benefits to the wider community