Children, young people, individuals, organisations, youth workers and communities, interested in advancing children’s rights in New Zealand are welcome to apply.

Can non-registered groups and individuals apply for funding?

Yes. Non-registered groups and individuals can apply for the Small Grants Fund. They however must provide proof of support from a registered organisation willing to receive and oversee the funds on their behalf. The registered organisation must provide its bank details and a copy of audited accounts from the previous year.

What can non-registered groups do to apply for funding?

Non-registered groups and individuals can apply for the Small Grants Fund by completing the application form and providing proof of support from a registered organisation sharing the same principles.

The supporting organisation must agree to ‘host’ the individual or group for the duration of the project. The host organisation will bank and oversee the grant, providing support to the successful applicant.

Can young people under the age of 18 apply for a grant?

Yes. People under the age of 18 are most welcome to apply to the Small Grants Fund. The purpose of the fund is to advance the rights of children and young people as outlined in theUnited Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child [Adobe PDF, 31 Kb] The United Nations recognises children to be anyone under the age of 18.

Because children and young people’s groups and individuals usually do not have charitable status registration they are required to partner with a registered organisation for financial and other support.

What is a host partner?

A host partner is a registered charitable organisation that agrees to support and receive the funds on behalf of the individual or minor applicant group.

How do individuals and those under the age of 18 find a host partner?

There is a large number of organisations in New Zealand whose work is to ensure that children and young people’s voices are heard. These organisations are willing and always looking for opportunities to support individuals, mentor, support and promote initiatives by children and young people.

Feel free to contact Save the Children for assistance with the identification of possible host partners.

Can we apply more than once?

You are welcome to apply more than once as long as the funding is not for the same project or activity as previously funded under the Small Grants Fund. The fund provides once only funding per project at local and national level.

If your project has already received funding but you would like to grow the project to another level please feel free to contact Save the Children to discuss other funding options.

Is there a minimum/maximum grant award?

Awards vary with the maximum grant amounting to $10,000.

Can we use the grant to buy equipment?

It depends on what you mean by equipment. Equipment is generally considered to be capital items e.g. computers, vehicles and office furniture. The Small Grants Fund does not provide money for the purchase of capital items.

However, in exceptional circumstances, the fund has supported and will consider supporting the purchase of educational equipment for therapeutic purposes as part of a wider project, e.g. special dolls for counselling traumatised children.

Can we use the grant to pay salaries?

The Small Grants fund is not intended to pay for salaries. Salary costs will be considered only if they are central to the delivery of a piece of work on the project. Salary costs must not exceed 10% of the project costs.

Do you fund camps and holiday programmes?

The Small Grants Fund does not fund leisure activities.

If you are applying for a camp or holiday programme you have to demonstrate that the project is not simply focused on keeping children and young people occupied through leisure and play. It is important that you tell us how your project will deliver on whatever children’s rights you are focusing on.

Camps are a way of getting together. You can use camps as a platform to meet, brainstorm and develop project ideas or engage in training activities that benefit children and young people.

Can we apply to cover medical expenses?

Unfortunately the Small Grants Fund does not pay for medical expenses.

Does the grant fund overseas trips?

No, the Small Grants Fund does not pay for trips overseas. The fund is intended for activities taking place in New Zealand. In-country project related transport costs will be considered.

Who makes the decision on our application?

A committee made up of young people, professionals in child and youth development and community members, makes the funding decision.

How long will it take to process my application?

Applicants are notified of the funding decision within six weeks of the closing date of applications.

What happens after our application has been approved?

You will receive a letter notifying you of the grant award. You will also be required to sign a funding agreement after which the money will be released.

How is money given out?

There are various ways that the grant is disbursed.

Save the Children is a membership organisation with branches actively fundraising and promoting children’s rights through New Zealand. Wherever possible branch presidents handover cheques to successful organisations and individuals. This provides the recipient and the branch with an opportunity to get to know about each other’s work.

Cheques can be mailed out or the grant is paid by direct credit into the host organisation’s or the applicant organisation’s bank account. No money is deposited into the bank accounts of individuals.

How is the reporting done?

Save the Children expects to receive a narrative and financial report six months into a 12-month project and a final report one month after the completion of any project. Please attach any photographs or promotional materials that tell us and help us to share your story.

More information:

Small Grants Fund Homepage

Applicant Information

Application Process

Useful Terms Explained

General Conditions for Successful Applicants