Applying through an umbrella organisation (club, school or national body)

An individual's trip is funded through a legal entity (club, school, national sports body) that can apply for grants or receive donations.

Typically raises

$3,000

$500–10,000 per grantest.

About $300 per organiser hour

Based on one individual's trip

Is it right for us?

Money: $2,000–10,000
Work: An afternoon
Helpers: 1–2 people
Lead time: 1–2 months
Red tape: Some

Fairly common: the usual route for individuals; few know it's an option

People: 1-2
Organiser time: 5-15
Lead time: 1-3 months
Up-front cost: Nothing up front
Risk: low
Who can use it: The umbrella body must be eligible itself and must be willing to apply. Funds must be spent on the approved purpose and usually paid directly to suppliers.

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: An afternoon, 1–2 people

How it works

The money, as an example sum

A typical grant here is about $3,000 (they run from $500–10,000). One approved application = about $3,000, for about 5-15 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

ESTIMATE: depends on what funders the umbrella body can access.

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

Step by step

Ask your club or national body whether it applies for team travel grants.
Offer to do the paperwork (quotes, budget, resolution draft).
Frame the application as a team or development programme, not one person.
Let the body pay suppliers directly.
Provide receipts and photos for the accountability report.

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 Class 4 trusts and the Lottery Fund will not fund private benefit to an individual. Gifts earmarked for one named person are unlikely to qualify for a tax credit.

Tips

National sports organisations sometimes have travel assistance for selected athletes; ask.

Watch out for

Asking a club to receive money on your behalf in a way that breaches funder or tax rules.