This fund supports community-focused organisations whose projects contribute to the strengthening of community wellbeing in the Christchurch City and Banks Peninsula area.

 
Applying for the Strengthening Communities Fund

Applications can be submitted for either metropolitan citywide or local projects:

  • Citywide projects are referred to the Council for a decision. In 2025, the Citywide Strengthening Communities Fund was split into three distinct funds – Arts, Community and Sport and Recreation. Please contact a Community Development Advisor [DOCX, 229 KB] if you are unsure of which of these to apply for.
  • Local applications are presented to the relevant Community Board for a decision. Each board has their own application form.  Please contact your local Community Development Advisor [DOCX, 229 KB] if you are unsure of which of these to apply for.

Strengthening Communities Fund - Community uses the Te Haumako; Te Whitingia Strengthening Communities Together Strategy. 

Strengthening Communities Fund - Arts uses the Arts and Creativity Strategy [PDF, 959 KB] to guide them in assessing their applications.

Strengthening Communities Fund - Sport and Recreation is currently reviewing its strategy. As soon as that review is complete, we will update it here.

These strategies will guide the Council in how we work alongside the community sector, and grant funding is an important aspect of this support. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with the strategy to consider how your application will contribute to the pillar objectives(external link).

You must also demonstrate your ability to contribute to your project and not solely rely on Council funding.

You will be notified of the decision in late August, with funds available for successful applications from September.

  • Applications can be for both operating and/or project costs:
    • Operating costs may include salaries, power, rent and administration costs.
    • Project costs may include the costs of community programmes, events, activities and equipment.
  • Operational or project costs, incurred in the provision and delivery of the agreed initiative, for the 12-month period starting 1 September and ending 31 August.
  • Small equipment purchases that will enable your organisation to take advantage of efficiency gains. Please note that all equipment or capital purchases must be noted in a schedule of equipment/capital purchases for accountability purposes. 
  • Costs that support the recognition, contribution and retention of volunteers.
  • Community Boards may access this fund to deliver activities and events to their local communities. This may include the establishment of a Youth Development Fund. 

This fund will not cover

  • Debt servicing or refinancing costs.
  • Stock or capital market investment.
  • Gambling or prize money.
  • Payment of any legal expenditure, including costs or expenditures related to mediation disputes or ACC, Employment Tribunal, Small Claims Tribunal, Professional or Disciplinary Body hearings.
  • Activities or initiatives where the primary purpose is to promote religious ministry, political objectives or commercial interests. 
  • Medical or healthcare costs – including treatment and insurance fees.
  • Money which will be re-distributed as grant funding, sponsorship, donations, bequests, aid funding or aid to other recipients.
  • Payment of fines, court costs, IRD penalties or retrospective tax payment.

This fund will not usually cover

  • Retrospective costs or project or purchase costs incurred or settled before the agreed commencement date of the funding agreement.
  • Entertainment costs, except for costs directly linked to volunteer recognition. 
  • Funding of individuals – only non-profit organisations. 
  • Purchase of land and buildings.
  • Building maintenance or facility design, development and renovation costs.
  • Funding 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 that hold regulatory or enforcement powers.
  • Purchase of vehicles and any related ongoing maintenance, repair, overhead costs or road user charges.
  • Air travel, accommodation, and hotel/motel expenses.

Multi-year funding will not be offered for the 2026/2027 Strengthening Communities Fund round. 

However, if you wish to be considered for Community Board multi-year funding in other years, you will need to meet the following criteria:

  • Close alignment to the Council's funding priorities and outcomes. 
  • A proven track record of providing or enabling identifiable benefits to the City or Community Board area.
  • Have effective governance and sound operational policies and practices, including financial, HR and risk management.
  • Have a stable financial position and appropriate financial and accounting practices.
  • Have a history of good management, monitoring and reporting practices.
  • Have a business, strategic or other plan which covers the period of the funding request

Up to three years of funding can be requested. Requests can be made for different amounts of funding for each year of the grant. 

There is no guarantee a multi-year grant will be awarded to any applicant. The awarding of a multi-year grant does not promise or guarantee the same organisation will be granted for multiple years in the future. 

Your responsibilities

You will be expected to submit interim reporting each year, which must be approved before the next instalment of the grant can be released. 

Funds cannot be released prior to 1 September each year.

Multi-year funding can be discontinued if agreed performance objectives or reporting requirements are not met.

Accountability reports for this fund must be completed in the funding system(external link).  You will need to register if you have not used this system before.

To find your application, go to My Submissions. If your end-of-project accountability form is not attached, or you cannot see your application for that year, please contact the Community Funding Team at 03 941 5488.

Get inspired by some of the community impact story articles and videos that showcase initiatives we fund within our Strengthening Communities Together Strategy, under each of the key pillars:

  • People
  • Participation
  • Preparedness
  • Place

View impact stories.

Further information

If you have any questions, email communitygrants@ccc.govt.nz.