Opens: 3rd June

Closes: Noon, 15th July 2025.

Funding priority areas:

  • Arts, Culture & Heritage
  • Animal Welfare
  • Community & Social
  • Children, Youth & Education
  • Environment
  • Health & Wellness
  • Sport & Recreation

 

2025 Funding Guidelines

New online funding portal

From this year, all applications and granting processes will be through the online funding portal.

If you start your application but run out of time, that's no problem — you can save it and come back later. Just make sure you fill in each section (even if it’s only a few words) and click save. When you log back in, you’ll be able to update your application by removing any placeholder text and adding the right information.

Follow these steps to apply for a grant

  1. Read all information listed below before getting started.
  2. All groups to register/log in via the portal (link at the bottom). To get started, click on the link below highlighted in orange.
  3. On the 'Log in to Your Account' page at the bottom right it says 'Not a member?' click on that and follow the prompts.
  4. You will receive a registration email (CHECK SPAM/JUNK MAIL FOLDER)
  5. Follow the 'Apply here' prompts to continue with the application.
  6. If you intend to apply again in future years, keep a record of your login email and password details.

Start your grant application HERE.

 

 

Who can apply?

Any charity or community organisation with a charitable purpose in Tairāwhiti-Gisborne (the area covered by the Gisborne District Council) making a meaningful impact in our local community.

Sunrise will consider the following:

  • Project costs
  • General operating costs (including salaries/wages, rent and vehicle operating costs)
  • Capital items (no more than $5000)

 

What doesn't Sunrise Foundation fund?

Individuals.

The purchase of capital assets where the total item cost exceeds $5000.

Religious or political advocacy.

Retrospective claims.

Have a few questions?

Any charity or community organisation with a charitable purpose in Tairāwhiti-Gisborne (the area covered by the Gisborne District Council) can apply for a grant in our annual funding round.

We currently have one funding round per year. The 2025 application process opens 3 June and closes at noon, 17 July. Applicants will be notified of the outcome on 30 September, with funds distributed on 17 October.

Applications for a grant from Sunrise's Hearing Assistance Fund are open all year, with no open or closing date. At this stage applications from this fund are not made through our online funding portal. Learn more here.

All applications, from 2025 going forward, are submitted through our online funding portal. Register/login with a username (your email address) and password. Every time you log in you will need this information.

     When applying, we need to know a few details about your organisation and what you are requesting funding for. Details we will ask for include:

-              Charities Services or Incorporated Society Number (if applicable)

-              Verified bank account details (eg. Bank deposit slip or screenshot of your account details)

-              Programme/project details

-              The need for your programme/project

-              Expected outcomes of your programme/project

-              Audited accounts

 

 

 

     Our Grants Committee is made up of experts in charitable giving. They review grant applications, making annual distributions in line with the stated wishes of each fund, or based on the needs of the community for non-designated funds. We have Distribution Guidelines, which provide a robust framework for the committee to use when making grant decisions. 

All positions on the Grants Committee are voluntary and report to the Board of Trustees.

Find out more

If you have any questions or problems navigating the online registration and application forms, please contact us.