Thomas Richard Moore, a sheep farmer who died in Palmerston North in 1935, left the income from the residue of his estate to the Thomas George Macarthy Trust Board of Governors for distribution amongst charitable and educational organisations in Palmerston North and Napier cities.
Regular Granting
Biennial grants are made in even years to Kindergartens, Play centres, Kohanga Reo and Pacific Island language groups. The next grant round is due in 2026.
The amount of the individual biennial grants made to the early education centres is $750 per entity.
An annual grant is made to the Plunket hub based in Napier City.
Regular grants are not made to qualifying early education centres in Palmerston North by TR Moore Trust as these are made by T G Macarthy Trust.
Contestable Granting
A contestable grant application process is run on a three-yearly cycle.
The Thomas Richard Moore Trust will call for applications from 1 May – 31 May 2026. Please note the earlier closing date this year. The outcome will be advised by 30 October 2026.
Applications are to be completed online via ‘Smarty Grants’. Applications are received by the Trustee and considered by the Board of Governors at their annual meeting.
Grants may only be made to charitable organisations based or operating within Palmerston North and Napier City limits.
Qualifying entities in Palmerston North may apply to both T R Moore and T G Macarthy Trust. Applications will be reviewed individually and on their own merits and one or both may be successful or unsuccessful.
While the criteria for T G Macarthy Trust grants is changing in 2026 the criteria for T R Moore grants have not changed. There will be a review after the 2026 grant round. Please see below the criteria for TR Moore contestable grants in 2026.
The Trust will fund community based, not for profit organisations within the Trust’s region that:
Improve the quality of life for disadvantaged and marginalised
Help children and young people develop and realise their potential
Look after and provide dignity for older people
Provide essential medical and emergency services
Within these four areas of focus funding may be applied for to:
Meet operational funding needs including administrative costs and part funding salaries for limited periods;
Deliver social programmes and services to the community;
Support organisational development to improve their capabilities and capacity to serve their communities;
Purchase capital equipment or improvements needed to provide the activity, programme or service.
Eligibility of Organisations
Your organisation must be:
Registered with Charities Services or;
A registered incorporated society or;
A school registered with the Ministry of Education and;
Operating or providing a service within the Trust funding region.
Grant Size
Grants are for a minimum of $3,000, while there is no maximum, most grants are awarded for amounts up to $10,000.
Any applications with the following circumstances will not be considered:
Incomplete or late applications
Requests for retrospective funding
Accountability requirements from the previous grant from this Trust have not been met
Applications from individuals and service clubs.
Applications requesting funding for overseas projects.
Applications not based in or supporting people within funding region.
Application Guidelines
All funding is GST exclusive.
Only one application from an organisation will be considered.
Applications from controlling bodies are preferred, however, in certain circumstances applications from both a controlling body and branch may be considered.
Applicants are expected to have made endeavours to raise funds independently.
The significance of government funding will be taken into consideration when assessing applications.
Grants for purposes not yet commenced will only be considered if the Board is satisfied that the applicant can achieve the purpose(s) of the grant.
Applications for assistance or promotion of drama, music, arts and crafts will only be considered if they are primarily for educational purposes or public benefit.
Applications from sports organisations will only be considered if they can clearly demonstrate advancement of education or promotion of health, for a significant section of the public.
Accountability
Organisations receiving a grant will be required to:
Upload an official receipt for their Smarty Grants application;
The name of the Trust and the amount of the grant is recorded in their annual accounts (or as a note to the accounts) and/or annual report;
The support of the Trust is included in publicity material whenever appropriate.
The Trustee may request that organisations supply additional information confirming that funds have been utilised as per the application.
The next grant round will be open from 1st to 31st May 2026. A link will be available on this page to the application form during May.