Apply for funding

The MainPower Community Fund is a contestable fund available to community groups, cultural not-for-profit organisations or schools operating in or serving the North Canterbury region. In each funding round, there is a share of $40,000 available to be split between the successful applicants.

Absolutely, let us know about all the great things your group is doing for North Canterbury.

Yes. Please submit a separate form for each nomination.

Please only vote once, to ensure that the final voting tally accurately reflects the wishes of North Canterbury.

Yes, please let us know of any community projects or not-for-profit organisations you think deserve a financial boost.

The $40,000 will be allocated between not-for-profit community groups and schools. The amount each community not-for-profit group or school gets depends on what they are applying for, the number of votes they received and whether their projects will have a significant impact on the community.

Absolutely. Please feel free to share the good news with your networks and encourage people to vote.

Please ensure that you are asking only those who are residing within the MainPower Network to vote and that they are only voting once per person.

Yes, groups/schools are welcome to make new nominations for each funding round (whether or not they were successful in receiving funding in the past).

MainPower supports a range of activities that benefit North Canterbury. We have a particular focus on activities that support our region’s youth, economic development, environmental sustainability and projects related to energy efficiency.

Once voting closes, MainPower will review the votes and inform the recipients that they have been successful. The recipients will be announced on the MainPower website once all recipients have been contacted. We estimate this to be approximately two weeks after public voting closes.

Any resident of North Canterbury (i.e. customers of MainPower) or representatives of the not-for-profit organisation being nominated.

Any resident of North Canterbury (i.e. customers of MainPower).

As we receive so many nominations for schools, understanding exactly what the funds would be used for will help to differentiate when shortlisting finalists. This will help North Canterbury voters to make a more informed decision on where to cast their vote rather than simply selecting the name of a school.

We only accept applications from not-for-profit organisations. These include:

• An incorporated society, association or organisation, which is not carried on for the purpose of providing profits or gains to any member or shareholder. With governing rules or constitutions restricting any distribution of funds to any member or shareholder.

• Any entity registered under the Charities Act 2005.

• A not-for-profit educational institution or body.

• Projects where the benefit is in our funding regions. Our Funding regions include:

  • Waimakariri

  • Kaikoura

  • Hurunui

Organisations operating outside our geographic funding area are not eligible to apply.

There are two funding rounds each year, the first being awarded around May and the second awarded around November of each year.

Nominations will be considered twice yearly, with a list of finalists announced alongside the public voting round.

Public voting will be open for around one week, with the recipients named and awarded shortly after.

If a nomination is submitted in January (for example), it will be considered for the May funding round only, i.e. a new nomination will need to be made after May for the group or school to be considered in the following November funding round.

$40,000 will be available during each round.

Nominations can be placed at any time. All nominations received during the six-month period prior to finalists being announced will be considered for funding. Nominations will be considered, and finalists named, every six months (May and November).

If a nomination is submitted in January (for example), it will be considered for the May funding round only. A new nomination will need to be made after May for the group to be considered in the following November funding round.

Residents of North Canterbury are invited to nominate community groups, cultural not-for-profit organisations or schools operating in or serving the North Canterbury region for a share of the $40,000 fund.

Nominations can be placed at any time. All nominations received during the six-month period prior to finalists being announced will be considered for funding subject to eligibility.

If a nomination is submitted in January (for example), it will be considered for the May funding round only, i.e. a new nomination will need to be made after May for the group to be considered in the following November funding round.

MainPower will review all nominations received over the preceding six-month period and select a group of finalists. The number of finalists selected will depend on the quantity and quality of the nominations received.

MainPower may get in touch with nominees ahead of the finalists being named to confirm some details about their operations, if necessary.

MainPower will contact all successful finalists before the public voting stage is opened.

All finalists will be profiled on the MainPower website, including details about the not-for-profit organisation, project or activity they are seeking funding for.

Members of the North Canterbury community will be encouraged to vote for the causes they think are most deserving of a share of the $40,000 Community Fund.

MainPower will review all nominations and select a group of finalists. The number of finalists selected will depend on the quantity and quality of the nominations received.

MainPower may get in touch with nominees ahead of the finalists being named to confirm some details about their operations, if necessary.

MainPower will contact all successful finalists before the public voting stage is opened.

MainPower is unable to consider sponsorships for the following:

• Individuals projects because it is not possible to support everyone equitably.

• Retrospective applications (projects already completed or costs committed before application).

• Marketing and promotion of messages to either targeted groups or the community as a whole.

• Projects where the benefit is outside our funding regions, which cover Kaikōura, Hurunui, and Waimakariri.

• Fund projects that are, or are likely to be highly socially divisive, for example, organisations applying to fund projects which are political or religious in nature.

• Projects that have no community involvement and support.

• Funding for land purchase.

• Debt repayment or refinancing of existing debt.

• Directly fund scholarships to individuals.

• Fund travel for groups or individuals.

• Fundraising costs.

• Political parties or groups aligned with political parties.

• Religious Groups/organisations or their events, activities or projects.

• Local government or central government departments for activities that could primarily be deemed to be their responsibility.

• After-school programmes.