The purpose of this fund is to assist community groups with emergency or unforeseen situations. Applications will support community-focused projects that contribute to the strengthening of community wellbeing in the Christchurch city area.

Apply to the Discretionary Response Fund

Please check the eligibility of your project before applying.

As we are changing to a new system you do not need to register for funding each year. However, you will need to set up a one-time Smarty Grants login which will allow you to view and apply for any open Council funding.

Please note that you will now need to select whether to apply for funding from your local community board or the city-wide fund. This is an important new step.

If you require assistance, please contact communitygrants@ccc.govt.nz or any of the community board governance teams(external link).

Purpose

The purpose of this fund is to assist community groups with emergency or unforeseen situations.

Applications will support community-focused organisations whose projects contribute to the strengthening of community wellbeing in the Christchurch city area.

Process

This fund operates differently at a citywide and local level.

Applications to local funds are open from 1 July each year.

Citywide applications can be submitted from July but may not be considered until September. 

Once the annual allocation of funds is exhausted the fund is closed.

The funding period is for 12 months after the date of the grant approval letter.

What this fund covers

Groups that are not legal entities (informal groups) may apply for up to $2,000 on condition they have a bank account in the name of their group.

Local Discretionary Response Fund

Community Boards can grant funds to any group or person for any purpose except for those listed below.

Citywide Discretionary Response Fund

Applications are being accepted for this fund. The Citywide fund covers activities where the benefit is not just for residents in a defined area but far-reaching.  The focus is on assisting with unforeseen or unexpected costs that could not be predicted.

What this fund does not cover

Neither fund will usually cover:

  • Entertainment costs (including food) except for costs directly linked to volunteer recognition.
  • Funding of individuals.
  • Purchase of land and buildings.
  • Building maintenance or facility design, development and renovation costs.
  • Fundraising or general income growth purposes.
  • Costs to remedy, rectify, upgrade, retrofit or replace equipment, vehicles or premises as a result of action by central or local government departments or other agencies who hold regulatory or enforcement powers.
  • Purchase of vehicles and any related ongoing maintenance repair, overhead costs or road user charges.
  • Air travel, accommodation hotel or motel expenses.

Local Discretionary Response Fund

The Local Discretionary Response Fund will also not cover:

  • Activities or initiatives where the primary purpose is to promote religious ministry, political objectives or commercial profit-orientated interests.
  • Debt servicing or re-financing costs.
  • Stock or capital market investment.
  • Gambling or prize money.
  • Payment of fines or court costs.
  • Payment for IRD penalties or retrospective tax payments.
  • Legal challenges against Council, Community Boards, Council-controlled organisations or Environment Court decisions.
  • Projects or initiatives that change the scope of a Council project.
  • Projects or initiatives that will lead to ongoing operational costs to the Council.

Citywide Discretionary Response Fund

The Citywide Discretionary Response Fund will also not cover:

  • Debt servicing or re-financing costs.
  • Stock or capital market investment.
  • Projects that are considered to be the primary responsibility of the central government.
  • Gambling or prize money.
  • Funding of individuals.
  • Activities or initiatives where the primary purpose is to promote religious ministry, political objectives, and commercial or profit-oriented interests.
  • Payment of fines or court costs.
  • Payment for IRD penalties or retrospective tax payments.
  • Legal challenges against Council, Community Boards, Council-controlled organisations or Environment Court decisions.
  • Projects or initiatives that change the scope of a Council project.
  • Projects or initiatives that will lead to ongoing operational costs to the Council.
  • Retrospective costs or project or purchase costs incurred or settled before the agreed commencement date of the funding agreement.

Accountability and compliance
  • Funding received is to be spent 12 months from the date on the grant approval letter.
  • Any alterations to the use of the funding must be discussed with council staff and agreed to or funding may be required to be returned.
  • A community grant funding report(external link) must be completed when funding is spent or 13 months after the money was granted. 
    • If the grant was from a funding year prior to 2024/2025 use this community grant funding report(external link).
    • If the grant was made in the 2024/2025 funding year, you will use the SmartyGrants system. An email will be sent in February 2025 with instructions on how to register for SmartyGrants and complete an end-of-project accountability form. If you require assistance or don't receive an email contact communitygrants@ccc.govt.nz.
  • Future funding can be withheld if accountability requirements are not met.

Previous recipients