The Community Matching Fund is an initiative which supports not-for-profit organisations in the Whakatāne District, that are working for the benefit of our communities.
Organisations can apply for both the costs of specific projects, and their ongoing operating costs.
How it works:
Organisations can apply for the dollar value of donations and contributions received from the community, and Whakatāne District Council will “match” these contributions with a grant. It’s a 50/50 share, the Council’s half is cash, and the organisation’s half can be things like volunteer labour, donated professional services, donated equipment/materials, or grants and monetary donations.
For more information on what’s eligible for funding, and the application process, read the guidelines for this fund:
How and when to apply
Applications are open from Monday, 4 August to Sunday, 24 August 2025.
For more information on the Community Matching Fund, contact our Community Funding Advisor on 07 306 0500 or email grants@whakatane.govt.nz.
Funding available
Approximately $50,000 is available for the Community Matching Fund for the August 2025 round.
Eligibility
- Not-for-profit organisations, charitable trusts, and community groups that are active in the Whakatāne District are eligible for the Community Matching Fund. We are unable to accept applications from individuals or for-profit businesses
- Community Matching Funding cannot be used to fund staff salaries, or projects that have already taken place
- Applications that focus on making an impact within the Whakatāne District are preferred.
- For a full list of eligibility criteria, read our Community Matching Funding Guidelines
Funding decisions
Funding decisions are made at Community Funding Committee meetings. The funding panel comprises of three Councillors, with support from council staff.
Find out more
For more information on the Community Matching Fund, contact our Community Funding Advisor on 07 306 0500 or email grants@whakatane.govt.nz.