Community Grants
Applications are open from 14 July – 11 August for the 2025/26 financial year
What are community grants?
Community Grants provide funding to support local groups and organisations delivering projects, services, or events that make a positive difference in our district. These grants help bring ideas to life that improve wellbeing, strengthen communities, and enhance the place we live.
Projects funded must align with Council’s Community Outcomes, which are the goals we work towards for our district – including creating safe, vibrant, inclusive communities, protecting our environment, supporting cultural heritage, improving affordability, and building local prosperity.
Who can apply?
Community groups and volunteer organisations that deliver community or social projects, initiatives, events, or services in the Buller District.
Eligibility criteria
Before applying for Community Funding, check if your project/event/initiative is eligible for funding.
The Communities Grants are a general grant with limited criteria,
apart from the following:
• Is not available to individuals.
• Align to Council’s Community Outcomes.
• Grants will not be made retrospectively.
• Successful organisations can apply once per financial year
to this fund, (1 July – 30 June).
Email your completed application to: grants@bdc.govt.nz
Hard copy forms available at Karamea, Reefton, and Northern Buller service centres, libraries, and Council offices. Drop completed forms off at any Council service centre.
Note: Photos or screenshots of applications will not be accepted.
1. Be strategic
Match what funding is available and when, we all know that writing a grant application in a rush rarely works.
2. Alignment
Make sure you find grants that align well with the future direction of your organisation. Find out the ‘how and why’ and a bit more about the funding provider to ensure it’s a great match.
3. Avoid making simple mistakes
Make sure you have somebody working with you on the application or at least have someone check it before you submit it.
4. Live up to your funding obligations
Make sure you’re prepared to provide interim and final reports to the funding provider to keep up your end of the agreement.
