Skip to content
FundRadar

Department of Internal Affairs (Te Tari Taiwhenua) - Lottery Grants Board · New Zealand

Lottery Minister's Discretionary Fund

Accepting applications

One-off grants for not-for-profit projects that fall outside the main Lottery committees, such as volunteer fire and ambulance projects, animal welfare projects and governance or financial planning training. It also supports recovery after natural disasters.

Open the funder's page Check your potential fit

Matching is a starting point. The funder decides who is eligible.

Program at a glance

Application status
Accepting applications
Funding amount
Not stated; one-off grants
Listed deadline
No deadline, apply any time. Allow 4 to 12 weeks for a decision; call DIA first if the project starts within 12 weeks.
Who can apply
Nonprofits, Charities.
Where
Anywhere in New Zealand
Good for
Community and social services
Pays for
A project, Training or professional development, Equipment or supplies

Who it's intended for

Details
Not-for-profit organisations with a one-off project that the Lottery Grants Board committees cannot fund. Must show community benefit and how outcomes will be measured.
The catch
No business-as-usual costs, no retrospective funding, one request per project per funding year; sport, arts and overseas travel are unlikely to be funded.

Source checked against the funder's website on November 9, 2026. Always confirm current details with the funder.

Still to confirm

A profile match does not check every requirement. Confirm these points on the funder's page before applying.

  • Whether the current intake is accepting applications, and its exact cutoff time and timezone.
  • Not-for-profit organisations with a one-off project that the Lottery Grants Board committees cannot fund. Must show community benefit and how outcomes will be measured.
  • Any registration, membership or previous-funding restrictions.
  • Which costs are covered and what supporting documents are needed.

Similar programs

  • Te Puni KōkiriNew ZealandTalk to your nearest Te Puni Kōkiri regional office first; decisions usually take six to eight weeks.

    Accepting applications

    Māori Development Fund

    Te Puni Kōkiri invests in projects that grow the Māori economy, such as lifting the productivity of iwi and Māori assets, growing exports and building community capability. There are no rounds; proposals go through a regional office at any time.

    Source checked November 9, 2026

    Minimum request NZ$100,000; no stated maximum
  • Foundation NorthNew ZealandOpen all year. Decision within about 4 months of a complete request.

    Accepting applications

    Community Grants

    Larger grants of more than NZ$25,000 for charitable work that benefits Auckland or Northland. Open all year with decisions within about four months.

    Source checked November 9, 2026

    More than NZ$25,000
  • Lottery Grants Board Te Puna TahuaNew ZealandFebruary 2, 2027

    Opens soon

    Lottery Fund

    Lottery profits for community projects: community strength, participation, health and environment, arts, culture and heritage, and sport and recreation.

    Source checked October 24, 2026

    Varies
  • New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT)New ZealandNo closing dates listed; applications are processed monthly through the online portal with decisions in 4 to 9 weeks.

    Accepting applications

    NZCT Grants

    Gaming-machine trust grants for community organisations, with a strong focus on amateur sport but also education, community events and salaries. Applications are assessed by regional committees and decided in about four to nine weeks.

    Source checked November 9, 2026

    Not stated
  • Foundation NorthNew ZealandOpen all year. For events, apply six months before the event.

    Accepting applications

    Quick Response Grants

    Grants of up to NZ$25,000 for charitable projects that benefit Auckland or Northland communities. Applications are open all year with decisions within about two months.

    Source checked November 9, 2026

    Up to NZ$25,000

See all grants and scholarships