FUNDING FAQs

The maximum grant for events within TCC boundaries is $50,000 per event, the maximum grant for events within WBOPDC boundaries is $15,000 per event. The majority of grants issued are in the $10,000 - $12,000 range.

$900k for events occurring between July 2024 and June 2025. When the fund allocation is exhausted, we will update this webpage.

Yes. If you have an existing funding agreement with one of the funding partners, you can still apply, but that funder will be unable to contribute to the funding offered if your application is successful.

The fund is currently open for applications for events taking place between 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025.

We recommend applying at least three months prior to your event. This will ensure that no hold up during the processing of the application impacts on your event date, as the Fund will not consider retrospective applications.

Applications received will be considered on a bi-monthly basis (i.e. every two months).

No. There is no expectation that any one event will reach all priority areas, but you do need to ensure you describe how your event meets the ones to which it closely aligns.

No. The fund is only a partial funder and it is expected that you will have a variety of income streams. We suggest you consider gold coin donations/ticketing, sponsorship, fundraisers, and other funders.

We are currently not considering multi-year funding applications.

No, unless you are declined prior to assessment due to being ineligible to apply to the fund.

No, you don't need to provide quotes with your application; however, you will need to provide a detailed budget, which you'll upload within your online application form.

Your application must also include a written endorsement in support of and outlining involvement in the event from the current chairperson or senior executive (i.e. chief executive officer, general manager) of the iwi, hapu or marae.

A decision-making panel of representatives from Acorn Foundation, BayTrust, TECT Community Trust and whichever council has jurisdiction over the event location (Tauranga City Council or Western Bay of Plenty District Council).

If your application is successful, we will contact you to confirm your grant. You will enter into a funding agreement with us to formalise our funding support and any event deliverables and benefits for the fund (e.g. credit the fund on promotional material).

If your event is held on public open space, you will also likely be required to work with the relevant council's event facilitation team for event approval.

If your application is unsuccessful, you will be advised of the outcome, along with reasoning why this decision was made.

50% of the funding granted will be released prior to the event and 50% after submitting a post-event evaluation report. The report will include attendance and audience demographics, audience feedback, key learnings, how the event delivered against the relevant values and priorities, benefits to Tauranga, media coverage and the final profit and loss summary.

If you have already received funding from us for an event, you must submit a post-event evaluation report before another application will be considered.

In the instance of event cancellation, and when the financial position of an event has been negatively affected, an applicant may submit a written request to retain all or part of the event grant. The applicant will need to address the following areas in their request:

1. The reason for the event cancellation, with evidence to support this;

2. The date the decision was made to cancel the event and who by;

3. If you have event insurance and how will this impact your financial situation;

4. If you have investigated alternative ways in which the event could go ahead (e.g. postponement, operational changes, online format etc.);

5. How the event has been financially impacted by the cancellation. Please submit a profit and loss statement, outlining what steps have been taken to mitigate costs;

6. What other funding partners and sponsors are providing to support the cancellation of your event (if applicable); and

7. If you are requesting to retain all or part of your event grant (please include a figure).

 Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis and a ten-working day turn around for decisions will apply.

Yes. You will be sent a template to use and a link to update it in the SmartyGrants system. You need to include information about attendance, outcomes, benefits to the community, and an income and expenses statement.

For Tauranga-based sites, please click here.

For Western Bay-based sites, please click here.

Please download the budget template here. Please note you do not need to fill in every row and are also able to add in additional rows relevant to your event.