Fundraising for community groups and marae
Residents’ associations, hall committees, marae and service clubs raise money with the things communities already come together for: hāngī and kai sales, markets, working bees and local events.
If you run anything on a road or public space, council permits and traffic management can be the biggest cost, so check early.
Best return for your time
- Community trust grants (Foundation North, Trust Waikato, Toi Foundation, BayTrust, Rātā and others)$750/hrtypically $15,000 per grantRegional trusts (mostly from the old trustee savings banks) fund community groups in their region.Weeks of part-time work, No permit, 1–2 people
- Lottery Grants Board (via Community Matters)$545/hrtypically $15,000 per grantLotto NZ profits granted by the Lottery Grants Board through one Lottery Fund with three application types for groups (Community Projects, Community Facilities, Community Support Services) plus equipment for people with a disability. Four funding rounds in 2026/27; the next opens 6 January 2027.Weeks of part-time work, No permit, 1–2 people
- Class 4 gaming trust grants (NZCT, Lion Foundation, Pub Charity, Aotearoa Gaming Trust, Four Winds and others)$526/hrtypically $5,000 per grantGrants from pokie-machine proceeds for equipment, uniforms, travel and running costs of community groups.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 1–2 people
- Council community and local-board grants$300/hrtypically $3,000 per grantDistrict and city councils (and Auckland local boards) give small community grants, often in fixed rounds.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 1–2 people
- Business donation (no advertising in return)$286/hrtypically $1,000 per sponsorA company gives money to a donee organisation without expecting advertising.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 people
- Direct donation appeal (letter, email, newsletter, social post)$200/hrtypically $2,000 per campaignAsk your own people directly for a gift towards a specific, costed need.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 people
- Buy-a-brick, seat or plaque (capital appeal)$182/hrtypically $10,000 per campaignDonors fund a named brick, seat, tile or plaque in a new or renovated facility.A team for weeks, No permit, 3–6 helpers
- Silent auction$125/hrtypically $5,000 per eventItems displayed with bid sheets or a phone app; guests write bids during an event and the highest bid at close wins.Weeks of part-time work, No permit, 3–6 helpers
Something different
Less common ideas that stand out because people haven’t seen them ten times already.
- Gala dinner or charity ball · typically $60,000 · big charities do it; small groups rarely try
- Long lunch · typically $40,000 · mostly corporate; uncommon for community groups
- Online raffle (Class 3 licensed) · typically $15,000 · licensed big-prize raffles are run by few groups
- Restaurant fundraising dinner · typically $15,000 · a treat night that most groups haven't tried
- Community festival or fair on a park or reserve · typically $5,000 · a big undertaking that few groups take on
- Personal endurance challenge · typically $5,000 · rare and personal, which makes it newsworthy
* General fundraising information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Money figures are examples and estimates, not promises. Check current official requirements before you commit. About this guide