Grants and scholarships open to individuals

A small number of funders do accept individuals: some RST scholarships, iwi sports grants, local trusts, service clubs.

Typically raises

$500

$100–2,000 per grantest.

About $77 per organiser hour

Based on one individual athlete

Is it right for us?

Money: $500–2,000
Work: A few evenings
Helpers: 1–2 people
Lead time: 1–2 months
Red tape: Some

Uncommon: few funders take individuals, so few people try

People: 1 (the athlete or parent)
Organiser time: 3-10
Lead time: 1-3 months
Up-front cost: Nothing up front
Risk: none
Who can use it: Varies. Often requires residency in the region, iwi registration, selection evidence, or a nomination from the club or national body.

Suits: One person (athlete, performer, student)

Less usual for: Team going to a tournament or tour, Kapa haka, choir, theatre or band

When: Summer (Dec–Feb), Autumn (Mar–May), Winter (Jun–Aug), Spring (Sep–Nov)

How big a job: A few evenings, 1–2 people

How it works

The money, as an example sum

A typical grant here is about $500 (they run from $100–2,000). One approved application = about $500, for about 3-10 hours of paperwork and nothing paid up front.

From the typical figure on this page. Your result will differ.

Where the money figure comes from

Sport Bay of Plenty individual athlete/coach scholarships up to $750. Ngāti Toa sports grants for registered members. Others are ESTIMATES.

Last checked October 2026. Ran this? Tell us what you raised and we’ll use real results to improve the figures.

Step by step

Search Sport NZ's external funding directory with 'Individual' selected.
Check your regional sports trust for athlete scholarships.
Check iwi, hapū and marae grants if you are a registered member.
Ask your local Lions, Rotary and RSA, and local trusts (amounts and rules vary; not verified here).
Prepare a one-page athlete profile, selection letter and budget.
Apply early; many have annual rounds.
Send a thank-you and a post-trip report with photos.

Getting the word out

Even a well-run plan fails if nobody hears about it.

Then tell people: Once the grant is in, tell people who funded it. Many funders ask you to; your grant letter says how.
When to start: Start when the grant is approved, and again when the money is spent: a photo of the new gear with a thank-you.

Where to put it

School, club and church newslettersYour own newsletter is free and read by the families most likely to say yes. Check when it closes.
Local Facebook pages and community groupsPost in your town’s community page and local groups (check their rules), and share from your group’s own page.
Free notices in local papersMany local papers print some community notices free: ask what they offer. Not every town still has one, so check what comes to your letterbox, and book early.

The full guide to getting the word out: every channel from flyers to the evening news, with lead times and costs.

What you’ll need

Place: Not neededNone needed
Landowner’s permission: Not needed
Council permit: Not needed
Food rules: Not neededNo food sold
Alcohol: Not neededNo alcohol sold
Gambling rules: Not neededNot gambling

Most big funders (Class 4, Lottery, Tū Manawa) do not fund individuals. Try regional sports trust scholarships, iwi grants and local service clubs.

Tips

A selection letter from the national body makes every application stronger.

Watch out for

Spending hours on many tiny applications; prioritise the 3-4 most likely.