Local Impact Funds
Funding for local projects that bring communities together.
Local ideas. Local funding. Lasting impact.
Do something good for your neighbourhood
Local Impact Funds support the grassroots ideas that connect your community.
Five communities across the Western Bay of Plenty now have dedicated funds for grassroots projects. Whether you want to start a community garden, run a community picnic, or create an opportunity for people in your neighbourhood to connect - your local impact fund could help.
2026 Applications Open Now! Closes 14th March
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Find your local impact fund:
What they are
Funding for everyday people with good ideas
Local Impact Funds support grassroots projects - the kind of ideas that come from people who live there and see what's needed. Locally-led projects from neighbours, local volunteer groups, and even individuals who want to make their community better.
We have five funds across the Western Bay covering from Waihī Beach through Tauranga, to Pukehina.
How these funds work:
When a donation is made to a community's local impact fund, the Acorn Foundation combines it with other donations, and invests it. The original donation stays protected and untouched. The investment generates a return each year, creating a pool of funding that is granted to local grassroots community projects. That means the gift keeps working for the community it was donated to, year after year, for generations.
Each Local Impact Fund has a Giving Committee made up of volunteers from your community. These local volunteers review applications and decide which projects receive funding. Because they are members of your local community, they bring valuable local knowledge to help guide funding decisions each year.
Your gift keeps giving
Your donation keeps creating impact year after year, not just once.
Donations stay local
Any donations given to a local impact fund only supports the community of that fund.
Funding is led by locals
Local Giving Committees choose which projects to support, using their personal insight of the community.
Who can apply?
Local funding for local people making an impact
Local Impact Funds help local people and informal groups bring their community-building ideas to life. If you live in or around Katikati, Waihi Beach, Tauranga Moana, Te Puke, or Kaituna(Maketū-Pukehina) and have a project idea that builds connection in your community, apply to get support.
Types of eligible groups
- Individuals
- Groups of neighbours or locals
- Informal groups (volunteers, social groups, hobby groups, special interest groups etc.)
- Marae, hapū, sports clubs, and community-led clubs
What you need
- A project in one of the five Local Impact Fund territories
- An idea or project that helps people connect with each other in your community
- Commitment to making your project happen
Your project should
- Be local — happening within your community
- Benefit more than one person — something for the wider neighbourhood
- Build connection — helping support connection in the community
- Be community-led — created, run, or driven by local people
- Be grassroots — simple, practical, achievable ideas in a shorter timeframe
What can be funded
Grassroots projects that connect your local community
A grassroots project is created by locals, for locals, bringing the community together — and its whole purpose is to create ways to encourage better connection in your neighbourhood. Grassroots projects are doable ideas that create visible impact in the short term. They're practical enough to get started without huge resources, and meaningful enough that you'll see the difference they make in your community.
Projects could look like (but are not limited to):
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Starting regular community meet-ups or get togethers
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Creating shared gardens or neighbourhood spaces
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Running workshops or activities that get people involved
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Cultural projects that celebrate what makes your area special
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Improving underused local spaces or community areas
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Welcome programmes for new people moving in
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Projects that help kaumātua, young people, or families connect
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Environmental activities that bring neighbours together
or anything that helps people feel less isolated and more connected
Your project should help people in your community connect with each other in some way, either directly through your project, or indirectly as a result of what your project achieves.
The local committee in each local impact fund area will look at each idea and ask: does this help encourage connection in some way?
Funding can range from a few hundred dollars to help get an idea started, up to several thousand for larger impact projects. There's no set amount you can apply for - depends on what you need and the amount of funding which is available to distribute from your Local Impact Fund.
The typical application amount is between $500 to $1500.
To stay focused on grassroots connection, we're unable to support:
- Projects that are outside of the geographic areas covered by a Local Impact Fund.
- Projects that only benefit one person or a limited group of people
- Organisations that already receive funding from Acorn Foundation through other programmes
- Political or religious advocacy and campaigns
- Capital works or infrastructure projects
- Nationally or regionally led projects
How to apply
Register now and apply online
Each of the five Local Impact Funds opens once a year for applications. All you have to do is register, and fill out a simple online application form telling us about your idea.
2026 Applications OPEN NOW! 1st February - 14th March
Step 1: Register for the funding portal
We need some basic information about you and your project. You can register anytime by clicking here - even before applications open. Once you're registered, you're ready to apply when your fund opens.
You must register to make an application.
Step 2: Tell us about your idea
When applications open, sign in here and fill out the application form. It's straightforward - just tell us what you want to do, what it would do for your community, and what you need to make it happen.
Step 3: Submit and wait to hear back
Once you're happy with your application, submit it. We might get in touch if we need more details. After applications close on 14 March 2026, your local committee will review all submissions together. You'll hear of the outcome by the end of April 2026.
When you donate to your local impact fund, your gift keeps working forever.
Your donation gets pooled with others and carefully invested by the Acorn Foundation every year. The original amount you give stays safe and untouched, while the returns from those investments fund local projects every year. That means your donation doesn't just help once - it creates impact in your community year after year, for generations.
Choose your fund and donate: