COVID-19 Community Fund 2020

NB: Applications for the Fund have now closed. The full list of successful applicants can be found here.

A list of outcomes from the successful applicants can be found here.

A regional snapshot of the projects funded can be found here.

On 31 May, the Minister for Women, Hon Julie Anne Genter, announced a $1 million fund for organisations that support women and girls in Aotearoa New Zealand as part of the Government’s COVID-19 response.

The Fund is for organisations that provide services or support to women and girls, and are experiencing an increased demand for services or a shortfall of funding due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a one-off grant to support you in the short term, and where you are unable to get other government support for the same purposes as those you are applying for.

Key information

  • Total funding available: $1 million
  • Funding per application: $5,000-$50,000
  • Applications open round one: 31 May - 15 June 2020

NB: Due to the significant oversubscription of the fund following the first round, there will not be a second application round.

First round applications should be made between 31 May and 15 June 2020 (closing at 1pm NZT); funding will be made available to successful applicants as soon as possible - we expect by early July.

Organisations can apply for $5,000 to $50,000 per funding round.

The Ministry for Women will assess applications, and make recommendations to a Panel for final consideration and approval. The Panel comprises two NGO representatives and two government officials.

You can find more information on our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Application guidance

The information below will help you through the application process. There won’t be questions about all of the assessment criteria, but we recommend you take them into consideration when completing your application. Please note: all of the eligibility criteria need to be met.

Eligibility and Assessment criteria

Eligibility 

Funding is only available for community organisations that meet ALL of these criteria:

  • are a
    • New Zealand Registered Charity OR
    • Incorporated Society OR
    • Community-based organisations that are not one of these kinds of entities where the case is compelling OR
    • A recognised subsidiary of one of those (such as a local branch of a larger organisation).
  • attest that they have not received government funding for the same purposes; AND
  • attest that they will have to significantly reduce their support and or services to women and girls due to additional costs or demands as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and/or are facing reduced revenue due to COVID-19; AND
  • contribute to the Ministry’s and government’s priorities for women and girls

Assessment

The assessment considerations below are a guide for both applicants and the panel, rather than aspects that must all be ‘ticked off’ to receive funding. In assessing applications, the panel will take into consideration a range of factors such as:

  • the impact funding will have to improve outcomes for women and/or girls
  • the immediacy of the organisation’s needs and the needs of the community it serves. Higher priority may be given to organisations that are able to meet immediate needs in a timely manner
  • the extent to which funding requests will contribute to ensuring healthy and safe communities; reduce family and sexual violence; and/or improve child wellbeing
  • the extent to which the funding will assist organisations to support women who face intersectional challenges such as women in Māori, Pacific or rural communities and migrant women
  • the connection and influence the applicants have with the communities they serve, and the difference they will be able to make at a local level

Reporting back

If your organisation is successful in receiving funding, we will ask you for a report on how the funding was used. We will develop reporting guidance over the next couple of months. Meanwhile organisations will need to keep track of how the money was spent, and how it supported women and girls. If your organisation receives funding, the report will be due by 20 December 2020.