Application information

How to apply for funding

We have one funding round per annum which includes applications for both Acorn Foundation and The Tindall Foundation funds.  THE 2021 FUNDING ROUND HAS NOW CLOSED. 

Acorn Foundation funding criteria is outlined below.  Scroll down further to read about The Tindall Foundation funding.

Who can apply?

Charities and community organisations that benefit the Western Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand.

  • The Western Bay of Plenty region encompasses the following areas: Waihi Beach, Katikati, Kaimai, Tauranga, Te Puke and Maketu, including Paengaora, Pongakawa and Pukehina.

Acorn also distributes funds on behalf of The Tindall Foundation in both the Western BOP and Eastern BOP regions.

  • The Eastern Bay of Plenty includes the districts around Whakatane, Opotiki and Kawerau, but excludes Rotorua, Minginui and Murupara.

What will Acorn fund?

Acorn will provide funding for any charitable purpose (meaning every purpose which in accordance with the law of New Zealand is charitable) within our stated priority areas. The Acorn Foundation will consider applications for project costs and for general operating costs, including salaries/wages, rent and vehicle operating costs.

2021 funding priorities 

The following categories have been identified as needing extra support and have been selected as our priority funding areas this year. 

Support organisations to provide: 

1.   Access to housing and reducing inequity

  • Improving the accessibility of owning or renting a safe, healthy home
  • Improving basic household financial skills
  • Providing tenancy support services 
  • Wraparound housing support for tenants or owners of sub-standard homes

2.   Supporting young adults

  • Initiatives that support a successful transition from education to employment
  • Initiatives that re-engage NEETs (Not in Education, Employment or Training)

3.   Health & Wellness/Safety

  • Reducing drug and alcohol abuse
  • Reducing domestic violence
  • Reducing child abuse

4.   Building stronger communities 

5.   Kaupapa Maori initiatives supporting cultural development and inter-generational transformation.

6.   Caring for the environment

7.   Other: Limited funding is available as specified by individual donors in the areas listed below.  We recommend you contact us before submitting your application to ensure your organisation’s work lines up with donor objectives. 

  • Organisations supporting people recovering from addiction
  • Organisations supporting people with medical treatment or conditions
  • Children with specific health or education needs (funds need to go to a charitable organisation)
  • Organisations providing services to support the elderly
  • Organisations benefiting the deaf
  • Organisations supporting victims of abuse, particularly sexual abuse

Acorn doesn’t fund the following categories:

  • Individuals (other than specific scholarships – see our scholarships page)
  • Groups that are not incorporated
  • The purchase of capital assets where the cost exceeds $3,000
  • Core education
  • Overseas travel (other than through scholarships)
  • Religious or political advocacy
  • Retrospective claims

Tindall Foundation funding

The Acorn Foundation also distributes funds on behalf of The Tindall Foundation, supporting Family/Whanau and Community. To find out more about these two categories, click on the links below:

The Tindall Foundation doesn’t fund the following categories:

  • Core or public health service
  • Core education
  • Research
  • Sport, leisure and recreation
  • The arts
  • Overseas
  • Buildings or land
  • Animal charities
  • The purchase of capital assets or equipment where the cost exceeds $3,000
  • Core Education/Scholarships
  • Individuals
  • Loans and Endowment funds
  • Religious or Political advocacy
  • Retrospective claims
  • Sponsorships
  • Venture Capital initiatives

Tindall Foundation funding is distributed in August at the same time as Acorn Foundation funding. There is no separate application form – successful applications to Acorn will be considered for both funding streams.

Funding limits

There is an upper limit of $10,000 per application for both Acorn and Tindall funding.

When to apply

We have one funding round per annum, which opens in early May, with a six week submission period. Follow us on Facebook to ensure you are notified when the next funding round opens. 

If you are unsure whether your organisation qualifies for Acorn Foundation funding, please contact Margot McCool or Jo Wilson on 07 579 9839.

Application process

Acorn has recently moved to a simple one-step application process.

Completed applications, including financials, are due within a set deadline and are reviewed by Acorn staff and Distributions Committee members. If you have not received Acorn funding in the past, you should contact us in the first instance to organise a meeting. We may also schedule visits with groups with whom we haven’t had contact for some time. Our Distributions Committee meets in August to determine the successful applicants, and once the grants are ratified by the Acorn Foundation Trustees, the decisions are announced in early September.

Generosity NZ (www.generosity.org.nz) provides extensive details on other funding options available in New Zealand.
 

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