Making a successful grant application
Find out here whether you're eligible to apply for an NZCT grant and, if so, how to make sure your documentation is accurate and complete.
NZCT's main focus is to provide funds for amateur sport - around 75% of our grants are for sporting purposes. We also support other important causes, including rescue and lifesaving services, community and welfare groups, education and the arts.
Who can apply for a grant?
Applicants should be incorporated entities and eligible for a New Zealand Business Number (NZBN) in their own right, e.g. registered under the Charitable Trust Act; Incorporated Societies Act; or, in some circumstances, not-for-profit organisations registered under the Companies Act. Registration under the Charities Act is optional but does not confirm incorporation status.
Generally, NZCT prefers to consider support for organisations that have been legally constituted for at least one complete financial year.
All other criteria aside, your application is also more likely to be successful if we have gaming rooms in your area. If we don't have gaming rooms in your area, you may have a better chance of success by applying to a gaming trust that does.
Tips for getting your application’s supporting documents right
Quotes
NZCT needs cost evidence for the goods you need the funds for.
Mostly only quotations will do. Quotes must show:
- the word 'Quotation' in a prominent place
- the name, address, phone number and GST number of the supplier
- if the supplier is not GST registered (which they must be if their annual turnover exceeds $60,000), they should include their IRD number
- the date the quote was issued (we generally require the quote to be less than three months old when you submit your application)
- a description of the goods or services being provided and their volume (e.g. units, hours)
- the GST exclusive and GST inclusive amount.
You need to provide competing quotes for the goods or services you are applying for. This helps NZCT to determine whether the prices being quoted are reasonable.
If there is a strong reason why you can only provide one quote for particular goods or services, explain this in your covering letter.
In rare instances we can accept other sorts of cost evidence, such as quantity surveyor reports for large capital projects. Contact us if you have a query about the cost evidence you want to provide.
Salaries and contracts
If you are applying for a salary or contractor’s fee, you need to provide an employment contract and a job description. If you have not filled the position at time of application, you can provide an unsigned employment contract and job description. If funds are awarded, we will hold onto the funds until you have provided a signed contract. If the terms of employment (remuneration, job description etc) are different from the original documentation you provided, then highlight this.
Resolution
In your application, you need to include a resolution from your committee that is signed and dated by an authorised signatory of your organisation, and which identifies that your organisation is applying specifically to NZCT for a specific purpose(s) and for a specific amount. If your application is for a position you are in employed in, you cannot be the signatory on the resolution.
Consent to be Audited
A Consent to be Audited document is an agreement by which two authorised signatories from your organisation accept accountability for the application and any resulting grant. They are also agreeing to a number of other conditions. All of the conditions are detailed on the Consent to be Audited.
If your application is for a position you are in employed in, you cannot be a signatory on the Consent to be Audited.
NZCT Consent to be Audited Form 2022 pdf
Who makes the decisions about grants?
NZCT has two Net Proceed Committees (NPCs). Generally, NPC1 considers larger applications and meets monthly. NPC1 consists of NZCT trustees. NPC2 only considers smaller applications and consists of NZCT senior managers, who are key persons. NPC2 typically meets fortnightly.
