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Community funding

Supporting community organisations, local events, and initiatives that strengthen the wellbeing and resilience of Christchurch and Banks Peninsula.

Multi-year funding for Strengthening Communities Fund 2026/27

Multi-year funding will not be offered through the 2026/27 Strengthening Communities Fund. At this time, the fund will provide one-year grants only. This approach allows us to make funding decisions responsibly and ensures that we can honour the commitments we make to community organisations within the fund’s available resources.

Board resolution

All applications for Community Funding need to be supported by a resolution signed by two board members [DOCX, 19 KB]. 

Umbrella agreements

To support grassroots community work, informal groups are able to work with a Charitable Trust in an umbrella arrangement. A process has been developed to provide clarity to all parties concerned.

Umbrella process:

  1. Must disclose that the project is umbrellaed in the application. 
  2. An agreement between the group and the umbrella organisation [PDF, 79 KB] must be completed and attached to the application. 
  3. If money is granted, Council and the other two parties sign a three-way agreement outlining the respective roles and responsibilities.

In addition:

  • The criteria specific to the fund must be met by the project applicant (the informal group).
  • The umbrella organisation must have charitable status.

Funding process and reporting

The application process and reporting requirements are different for each fund.

Business Improvement District Grant

Provides seed funding to establish a Business Improvement District (BID) under the Council's BID Policy.

Canterbury Waste Minimisation Grant

Closed. Opens May 2026.
Apply for a grant to fund a waste minimisation project in the Canterbury region.

Christchurch Biodiversity Fund

Closed. Opens January 2027.
Supports custodians of biodiversity through a contestable fund of up to $500,000 per annum.

Creative Communities Scheme

Open.
Supports communities in creating and presenting diverse arts opportunities.

Community Board Small Funds

Grants to assist groups in their local area to undertake small community projects.

Community Organisation Loan Scheme

Helps to develop or improve facilities and other major projects.

Community Waterways Partnership Fund

Closed. Opens August 2026.
Improving and protecting the health of our urban waterways.

Computers to the community scheme

Personal computers and laptops available free of charge to not-for-profit groups.

Discretionary Response Fund

To assist community groups with emergency or unforeseen situations

Environmental Partnerships Fund

Closed. Opens July 2026.
Supports environmentally focused activities on publicly accessible land and waterways.

Events and Festivals Sponsorship Fund

Providing sponsorship for a city-wide calendar of events to enhance Christchurch.

Events Seeding Fund

Provides sponsorship for new events taking place in Christchurch.

Mayor's Welfare Fund

Open.
Assists families and individuals who are in extreme financial distress.

Place Partnership Fund

Open.
Strengthening connections between communities and their places and spaces.

Small Sports Events Fund

Provides funding opportunities to National and South Island sporting events.

Strengthening Communities Fund

Closed. Opens May 2026.
Supports community-focused organisations that help strengthen community wellbeing.

Sustainability Fund

Closed. Opens January 2027.
Encourages projects that help meet our climate change objectives and targets.

Youth Development Fund

Funds young people in their local community.

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