The New Zealand Communities Growth Trust was established by High Court Order in March 2000. It is a reformation of the former Centrepoint Community Growth Trust, which established and operated an intentional community in Albany from the late 1970s to the 1990s.
The High Court appointed Public Trust as Trustee and provided for charitable grants to be made under four categories of:
therapeutic and counselling
education
public benefit (including the support and establishment of communities)
relief of poverty.
The Trust is established for charitable purposes exclusively within New Zealand. The Trust supports individuals disadvantaged by cults or spiritual communities in particular past residents of Centrepoint and their children and organisations that provide services that meet the purposes of the Trust.
The Trust's three-yearly strategic review is currently in progress. Information relating to the review, including updates and relevant communications, will be published on this webpage as it becomes available.
Open to individuals disadvantaged by cults and/or spiritual communities including former residents of Centrepoint.
Funding available - comprises a combined amount of $165,000, inclusive of allocations from the relief of poverty grant round.
Learn more about the individual Therapeutic and counselling grants here.
Open to individuals disadvantaged by cults and/or spiritual communities and those wishing to study in the areas of counselling and education.
Learn more about the Scholarship grant round here
Applications are now open every year. Accessible links will be provided on the education webpage at the link above during those years the first week in November and close mid-December. From 2027 onwards, the Scholarship Grant Round will be held earlier in the year, likely around September. Further details and timelines will be communicated on this webpage in due course.
Open to organisations (registered with Charities Services or Incorporated Societies registered with the Companies Office) that provide services to New Zealanders or to projects or organisations within New Zealand.
Learn more about the contestable grant round here.
Applications are now open every year. Invitations to apply will now be issued directly to eligible organisations, and the list of invited organisations will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains current and aligned with the Trust’s funding priorities and objectives.
Open to individuals disadvantaged by cults and/or spiritual communities including former residents of Centrepoint.
Funding available - comprises a combined amount of $165,000, inclusive of allocations from the counselling & therapeutic grant round.
Learn more about the relief of poverty grants here.