The Community Board Discretionary Fund provides financial assistance for local initiatives that benefit the communities within a Community Board area.
Please see the Community Board Fund Guidelines document for more information.
Who Can Apply
Any community group or voluntary organisation domiciled in a specific Community Board area can apply for a grant from the fund associated with that Community Board.
How and When to Apply
Please submit your application through our online portal at the link below. The portal includes details for each Community Board Fund, including specific criteria and the opening and closing dates for applications.
Apply here: Whakatāne District Council Upcoming Funding Rounds
Murupara Community Board Discretionary Fund Round 1 2026 Open 8 Dec
Rangitāiki Community Board Community Board Discretionary Fund Round 1 2026 Open 8 December
Whakatāne-Ōhope Community Board Discretionary Fund Round 1 2026 Open 8 December
The Tānēatua Community Board Fund is currently not open due to the ongoing by-election.
Please see the Community Board Fund Guidelines document for more information.
How Your Application is Assessed
Applications are considered by the Community Board at their next meeting, as they come to hand. Community Board meetings are held every seven weeks. Applicants are notified of the decision within a week of that meeting.
Decisions are Made Against the Following Criteria
That the Community Board Discretionary Fund is to be used for the purposes of:
- Community development
- Community pride/beautification
- Community facilities
- Community events - including seeding funding and promotion
- Guarantee against loss
- Youth and elderly projects
- Public Reserves artworks
- An individual attending an international event
- A group attending a national or international event
Accountability
Recipients of the Community Board Discretionary Fund are required to complete an organisational receipt form within which they must:
- Specify how the grant was spent and attach evidence of expenditure such as receipts, invoices or signed statements by the club's accountant
- Report the benefits of having received the assistance
Find Out More
For further information on the Whakatāne-Ōhope Community Board Discretionary Fund, contact our Governance Support Advisor, on 07 306 0500.