Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for funding?

Select "Available Grants” from the top menu bar to view information on grants available. If applying online you will need to register first. This can be done online by clicking on the "Register" link from the left-hand menu. For all non-social sector grants you will need to download an application form, print it off and post it to us.

What can we apply for funds for?

There are a number of different committee funds you may be eligible to apply to. Each fund has specific criteria applicants must meet before they can be considered for funding. Select "Available grants” from the top menu bar to view information on the different funds available and their funding criteria.

Can we apply for sporting equipment, uniforms and trips?

Funding is not available for sport, recreation and arts projects.

Can we apply for a vehicle?

Funding for vehicles is only available to applicants to Lottery Individuals with Disabilities.

Can I apply for funding for an individual?

Lottery Individuals with Disabilities Committee and Lottery Ministers Discretionary Fund may provide funding for individuals.

How much should we apply for?

You can apply for up to the total cost of your project, however, most committees take into consideration your group’s fundraising efforts. Some committees have policies where they will not fund an application unless the group has secured funding for at least 1/3 of the total cost of their project. Committees also work on a funding cap on each purpose based on priority and the amount of funding available for distribution. Because of funding caps, committee priorities and limited funds available for distribution many applications will not receive the full amount they may request.

What things aren't funded?

There are a number of purposes that are not funded – Please check "Available Grants" page (from the top menu bar) for individual committee policies.

If we apply for funding, can we apply to other funding bodies for the same project?

Committees may approve funding towards a project which may not necessarily be the amount requested. You should declare in your application other funders you have approached specifying the amount requested. Should you receive funding exceeding the amount requested, surplus money must be returned.

Who can I contact personally for information?

For any information or assistance regarding funding or completing an application for funding, please call toll free 0800 824 824.

Can we appeal the decision and how?

There are no appeal processes available. Should your application be declined and you still wish to pursue funding for the project, you are required to submit a new application. Should you require further assistance, please call toll free 0800 824 824.

What other information do I have to send?

The information you are required to submit as part of your application is specified on both the paper and electronic application forms. Additional information may be at times requested to help support your application.

Can we apply for funding for a commercial business?

Grants are not approved for commercial purposes. Not-for-profit organisations or charitable organisations are eligible for funding. Some limited liability companies which operate charitable services under constitution may be eligible. Please call toll free 0800 824 824 for assistance.

Can we access a list of grants approved in my area?

A list of approved grants is available on the Department of Internal Affairs website http:/www.dia.govt.nz

What committees approve funding?

There are a number of committees that approve funding. Please refer to our "Available Grants" page on the top menu bar for further details.

Can we access a list of other funders/gaming machine trusts?

Lottery Grants do not distribute profits from gaming machine trusts. For further information on funding from gaming machine trusts please contact Pub Charities 0800 426 464, or visit the DIA website at www.dia.govt.nz or pick up a form from your local pub/bar.

Can I change my address/details in the system?

Yes, you may access your registration details by logging in and then selecting "Registration Details" from the left-hand menu. You can make changes to your information from this page.

How can I change registration details?

You may change your registration details by Logging in and then selecting "Registration Details" from the left-hand menu. Then make changes you need to.

How can I change our application details?

If you have submitted an application and wish to change the address of the group you may do so by logging into the system and selecting "Registration Details" from the left-hand menu. If you wish to make changes to the contents of an application once you have submitted it you are unable to do so electronically. Please call us toll free 0800 824 824 for assistance.

How do I find out the decision for my application?

If you are a registered client your homepage will automatically be updated when a decision has been made on your application.

If I am applying to Lottery Community National this year, can I apply to Lottery Community Northland

Currently, you may apply to any Committee for funding for projects that meet each Committee’s criteria. However, you may not apply to each Committee for funding for the same project. You may wish to contact our Help desk on 0800 824 824 for further information and assistance.

How do we view a news item?

If you wish to view our news items you may do so by selecting ‘What’s New’ on the top menu bar.  These items will be updated frequently.

How do we make a copy of a previous electronic application?

Each time you create an electronic application you will also find an underlined link (copy) which enables you to make a copy of it. When you click on (copy), you are able to create a new application but with the same information already in it as the one you copied. This can save a lot of time if you are applying for a similar type of funding. You will still need to go through the new application and update it with current information. It will be submitted the usual way with the submit button at the end of the application.

How do we print out a copy of our Application, Conditions of Grant Agreement etc?

All the documents that you can view and print out have an underlined link below their name. You need to click on the link to view the document and then print it out if required. There is also a specific documentation link to the Conditions of Grant by the application number on your homepage. This will appear after you have sent your online application. A copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader software needs to be on your PC. If the document is not displayed when you click on the link, please check the settings you have for Adobe Acrobat. To do this, open Adobe Acrobat Reader (4.0) and then click on File, Preferences, General and make sure that "Web Browser Integration" is unchecked. There is something similar in Adobe Acrobat Reader (5.0) where the sequence is Edit, Preferences, Options and make sure that "Display PDF in Browser" is unchecked.

How do we change our password?

You need to log into to the system with your current Username and password. Select the "Registration Details" link from the left-hand menu. On the page there is a "Change Password" link. When you click on this link you will be taken to a new page where you must enter your old password and then your new password. Once you have entered your password you need to click on the "Update" button.

How do we go back into an application we have already started?

Any electronic application that you have started and saved to complete later appears on your homepage. To go back into the application, click on the edit link against application. This will take you to the first page of that application and you can go through it by using the buttons at the bottom of each page or the links under application steps. If you want to save it again before sending it, just click on the "save and finish later" button. If you wish to edit an application you have already submitted you are unable to do so. Please call toll free 0800 824 824 for assistance.

How do we send our online application to our Local Government and Community Branch office?

When you have completed your Grants Online application, you will need to click on the "Submit" button on the summary page of the online application. If you have not answered all the questions in the application, the red tick will not appear next to each section under application steps. You need to complete these questions before you can submit your online application. The application is sent to the Local Government and Community Branch office that you selected in your application. If your application has "edit" beside it on your homepage it has NOT been sent.

Can we get our electronic application back after we have sent it?

No. Once you have submitted your application you will need to call us toll free on 0800 824 824. Please note that the closing date for applications still applies and you will need to resend the retrieved application on time.

How long can we leave the page we are working on without doing anything on it?

Your session on the registration form is ‘timed out’ after 10 minutes of inactivity and on the application it is "timed out" after 4 hours of inactivity, and the information on the page you are working on will be lost. Each time you click on a button or underlined link, this tells the website that you are still active. Sometimes you can lose your connection to the Internet because of the telephone line that has dialed you in. Even when you get disconnected from the website, the page you are working on will still appear on your PC, but it will be inactive. You will need to re-connect to the Internet and LOGIN AGAIN to your homepage. Then, click on the number of the Grants Online application you are working on and use the buttons on the page to go to where you want to update it.