Funding Grants
Promotions and Events and Community Grants
Council's Grants Policy provides an overview of the various grants that Council and Community Boards administer and the principles and objectives which underpin our funding activities. Grant applications should demonstrate that they meet the criteria set out in the policy and support at least one of the four aspects of community well-being.
There are two contestable grants – Promotions and Events Grants and Community Grants (scroll down for more detail on these below).
Grants Rounds
There are two funding rounds each financial year. The first round closes in July for decisions in September for events and projects that take place after 1 October. The second funding round closes in March for decisions in May for events and projects that take place after 1 June (subject to available funds). Applications can be submitted anytime, however will only be considered at one of these two rounds. The next closing date is Sunday 5 July 2026
Promotions and Events Grants can consider applications in the following financial year: For instance, the Vincent Community Board will consider an application for the Alexandra Blossom Festival in the March funding round for its September event, or the January St Bathans Fete will apply in March for the following January. Get in touch with CODC Media and Marketing Manager, Alison Mason for further details.
How to apply for Promotions and Events and Community Grants
Applications to the first round of the 2026/27 Central Otago District Council Promotions and Community Grants are now open and close at 5pm on Sunday 5 July 2026 for a decision in September 2026. Applications to this round will be accepted for projects/events undertaken after 1 October 2026.
The link above will take you to the section of the website where you can submit your grant application. You will need to register to do this.
Amounts available for distribution are provided in the Guide to Grants
For Community Grants, you need to decide if your project benefits a particular ward or the district as a whole. If you believe your project benefits the district as a whole, then you should apply to Council. If your project benefits a particular ward or wards, then you should apply to that community board (s)
Please note: There are no district wide Promotions and Events Grants, therefore you must apply to the relevant community board for Promotions and Events Grants
What questions will I be asked?
To help you prepare, here is a list of the question that are asked as part of the grant application:
About You
- Name of Organisation
- Tell us a little bit about your organisation. What is your purpose and how long have you been operating in Central Otago?
- Contact Person
- Phone Number
- Address
- Is your organisation an unincorporated membership group, an incorporated society, a trust, a charitable trust, a company or something else? Please specify.
About the project / event
- Name of the project / event
- Project / event description – if your project / event relates to more than one activity, please list and provide a description of each.
- Will this project / event create ongoing costs?
- Tell us how this project / event meets the funding criteria for this grant?
- When does the project / event start?
- When does the project / event finish?
- How will you know if your project / event has been successful?
Your budget
- Amount of funding you are applying for? (and for what financial year, if appropriate)
- Please provide a budget, including the following:
- Income and expenditure of your project / event
- A breakdown of any other funding that you have applied for and/or secured towards this project / event
- In-kind donations
- Quotations for intended purchase of goods or services
- Please detail which element of the project an approved CODC grant will be applied to:
- Please advise plans for how any profit / surplus funds will be used and/or applied to should the event or project result in a retained profit.
- If you do not get the full amount of funding that you have applied for, what is your back up plan?
Accountability Reports
All successful funding recipients are required to complete a Grants - Report Back (Accountability) form after completion of their project or application. In the case of annual grants recipients must report back annually before funds will be released for the following year.
Promotions and Events Grants
Promotions and Events Grants provide funding that helps meet community needs/desires for events or activities that enhance the experience of locals and visitors. Funding is targeted to attracting people to visit, stay, or reside in the area for the betterment of existing residents and ratepayers. These grants are funded from targeted rates in each ward.
Applications are made to the Community Board in which area the project/s occur, Cromwell, Vincent, Teviot or Maniototo.
Promotions and Events Grant applications will be assessed against the following purpose and criteria.
The project:
- Directly enhances user experience
- Supports approved strategies and plans, including the Eventful Central – Event Development Framework
- Shows alignment with the Destination Management Plan, including how it attracts and retains visitors and has broad economic and/or community benefits
- Delivers community outcomes
- Is well planned and defined
- Benefits are clearly demonstrated
- Costs are clear and reasonable
- The applicant shows organisational capability
- Shows progression towards sustainability, including financial sustainability
Contact:
Alison Mason
Media and Marketing Manager
Email: alison.mason@codc.govt.nz
Community Grants
Community grants support community-driven initiatives which enhance the well-being of residents. They fund projects which fall outside of the promotions and events criteria and demonstrate a clear connection to one or more aspects of community well-being (social, economic, environmental and cultural). Some examples of past successful applications include activities such as community hall operations and community planting projects. These grants are funded through ward and Council rates.
Community grants will be assessed against the following purpose and criteria:
The project:
- Clearly demonstrates community benefit
- Has a positive impact on Social Well-being or contributes toward the Connected Community outcome in the district
- Has a positive impact on Cultural Well-being in the district
- Has a positive impact on Environmental Well-being or toward the Sustainable Environment community outcome in the district
- Has a positive impact on Economic Well-being or contributes toward a Thriving Economy in the district
- Is a community-led activity
- Is well planned and defined
- Demonstrates value for ratepayers
- Builds or strengthens community organisations
- Aligns with Council’s published priorities and strategic documents, including contributing toward our Regional Identity - Central Otago A World of Difference.
Contact:
Rebecca Williams
Community Development Advisor
Email: rebecca.williams@codc.govt.nz
Trail Funding
Grant Applications for maintenance work
Applications open: 1 August 2025 to 1 September 2025.
- The funding is available to groups within the Cromwell, Vincent, and Teviot wards.
- The trail project must be volunteer-led.
- We will require two current quotes for the proposed work.
- Funds must be used in support of trail repairs and maintenance not for construction of new trails.
- The fund is only available to trails on public land or on trails with public access secured by legal easement and not maintained by Central Otago District Council.
- To assist with assessment of applications it is recommended a 3-year work programme is provided with each application.
Exclusion: Otago Central Rail Trail
Please read the supporting information on this page before filling in the below application form:
Reporting
If your group is successful with its application, here is a list of things you will need to do:
- Spend the money on the approved items within the agreed timeframe
- Provide receipts
- Return any unused funds within a specified period
- Provide a short report of your trail crew and the work achieved, including progress photos.
- Be available to participate in any publicity that CODC requires.
Application Assessment
- Applications will be received and reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Manager.
- All applications will be approved by the CEO of Central Otago District Council.
- To ensure applications proceed in a timely manner, copies of constitutions, regular minutes and quarterly financials should be regularly submitted with Council.
Contact:
Judith Whyte
Administration Officer
Phone: (03) 440 0618
Email: grounds.bookings@codc.govt.nz
Council-Administered Grants
Council also administers the following grants on behalf of national funders:
Creative Communities Scheme
Council has a partnership with Creative New Zealand to promote, support and increase participation in arts and cultural activities within the district. These grants are funded by Creative New Zealand and focus on supporting artistic or cultural events and projects which are accessible to the community. These encourage the promotion of arts within the district.
Applications are heard by an Assessment Committee twice per year with application deadlines being March and August each year.
Applications for the next funding round close on Friday 7 August 2026 at 4pm.
Creative New Zealand Funding Guidelines
Rural Travel Fund (Sport NZ)
The Rural Travel Fund was launched by Sport New Zealand in response to concerns raised by Territorial Authorities about the lack of participation in sports by young people living in rural communities. Council's partnership with Sport New Zealand allows subsidised travel for junior teams participating in local sports competitions outside of school time. Sport New Zealand provides Rural Travel Funding to Territorial Authorities that have less than 10 people per square kilometre, and who wish to participate in the Rural Travel Fund.
Applications to the Assessment Committee are decided annually with applications closing on Friday 7 August 2026 at 4pm
Rural Travel Fund Guidelines
Contact:
Judith Whyte
Administration Officer
Phone: (03) 440 0618
Email: judith.whyte@codc.govt.nz
Maniototo Trust Grants (Māniatoto Grants)
If you live in the Māniatoto, you may be eligible for funding from the Community Trust of Maniototo or the Maniototo Trust Fund. These two grants are awarded twice per year when the Trustees and Community Board hold a joint distribution meeting. These funding distribution meetings are held in May and December of each year.
- The Maniototo County Council created an independent charitable trust known as the Community Trust of Maniototo in April 1974. The Community Trust of Maniototo fund is administered by independent trustees. Grants made through the community trust support individuals and organisations to hold or attend events and carry out operational activities.
- The Maniototo Trust Fund is derived from income received from the sale of the Otago Power Shares in October 2002 that has been invested. The fund is administered by the Maniototo Community Board. These grants assist organisations to deliver capital works and improvement.
To apply for either of these funds, please complete the Application Form.
Contact:
Janice Remnant
Asset Management Team Leader – Property
Ranfurly Service Centre
Phone: (03) 262 8502
janice.remnant@codc.govt.nz
Funding Clinics
Looking for funding for a community project? Not sure where to start and have a few questions?
If you are a community group or a not-for-profit organisation in the Central Otago area looking for project funding, then attending a funding clinic is a must. Come and meet your local funders and discuss your project. Details of the 2026 funding clinics are provided below:
DATE | TIME | VENUE |
| Thursday 18 June 2026 | 12pm | Online |
| Thursday 13 August 2026 | 11am | Alexandra – Community House |
| Thursday 13 August 2026 | 2.30pm | Cromwell – Central Lakes Trust Boardroom |
| Wednesday 16 September 2026 | 4.00pm | Ranfurly Service Centre |
