TG Macarthy Trust - Contestable Grant Funding
The Trust’s mission
The Trust aims to build strong, inclusive and equitable communities in its region. It will achieve this by providing funding based on equity and need, while honouring its commitment to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
More information about the Thomas George Macarthy Trust can be found here.
What we fund
The Trust’s region is the old Wellington provincial district area - south of Turangi, excluding Taranaki and Hawke’s Bay. View a map of the Trust’s region.
To be eligible for funding your organisation needs to be providing support to one or more of the priority communities and your application needs to align with our priority initiatives. Read more about our priorities below.
If you are unsure about how your application fits within these, please contact us to discuss your application before applying.
To contact the Trustee, email: [email protected] or call 0800 371 471.
Priority communities
Our contestable grants are for initiatives that support those in greatest need, focusing on equity for the Trust’s priority communities:
Tamariki and rangatahi
Older people
Pasifika communities
Māori communities
Other ethnic communities
Rainbow communities
People living with diverse abilities and/or chronic health conditions
Communities or individuals facing hardship
Priority initiatives
Within the above communities, the Trust will prioritise initiatives that provide social services including those that:
Address basic needs such as food, shelter, hygiene, personal safety, and access to essential items and services that support daily living.
Offer financial mentoring and budgeting support
Support youth wellbeing, development and employment readiness
Reduce social isolation and foster connection
Improve access to mental health and wellbeing services
Assist refugees and migrants in settling and thriving
Support people to access and navigate essential services such as health, disability and income support services.
The Trust will also support initiatives that enable equitable participation and enjoyment of the arts and cultural activities.
Who can apply?
Applicants must be operating or providing a service within the Trust funding region and be:
Registered with Charities Services or,
A registered Incorporated Society or,
A school registered with the Ministry of Education or,
A marae registered under the Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993 (Māori Land Act 1993).
Specific group criteria
The following groups may apply, but must meet specific requirements to qualify for funding.
Available funding
TG Macarthy's available funding is split into the following two categories: general grants and investment funding. Each has different objectives and application criteria:
Key dates
The Trust has four contestable grant rounds per year; three general grant rounds and one for investment funding.
Upcoming general grant round dates
1-30 June 2026
1-31 October 2026
1-28 February 2027
Outcomes are communicated 6-8 weeks after the closing date of each general grant round.
Investment funding grant round dates
The round will open annually in March, starting in 2027.
Application guidelines
Applicants must supply:
A set of financial statements completed in line with the reporting standards required by Charities Services and the External Reporting Board
Proof of bank account, such as bank deposit slip, a bank statement or a letter from the bank confirming account details.
What we don’t fund
Organisations that have already received a grant in the same calendar year.
The Trust does not fund individuals, service clubs and overseas projects.
Applications for retrospective funding will not be considered.
Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
Grant accountability
How to apply
The Trust only accepts applications via its online grant system, SmartyGrants. A link will be shared at the top of the page during round opening dates.
To contact the Trustee, email: [email protected] or call us on 0800 371 471.