Apply for funding

MainPower values its relationship with the Waimakariri, Hurunui and Kaikōura communities and is a major contributor to the region. Through our community fund sponsorship programme, MainPower supports several projects and events each year.  

The MainPower Community Fund is designed to distribute $40,000 twice a year into the local community to support not-for-profit organisations, community groups and schools doing great things in our region.  

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 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.

Yes. Please submit a separate form for each nomination and ensure that the correct contact person is included for each application.

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

Just ensure that you provide appropriate and correct contact details for the organisation or school.

The MainPower Community Fund is designed to distribute $40,000 twice a year into the local community to support not-for-profit organisations, community groups and schools doing great things in our region.  

Payments made through this fund can vary, generally from $100 to $5,000 per organisation.  

The applications will be put toward the committee of MainPower representatives for their recommendations and input. 

Recommendations will then be submitted to the MainPower Executive team for approval.  

Successful groups are eligible to reapply for the fund once per calendar year.

This enables us to ensure the funds are being evenly distributed around the region and on varying projects.  

For example. If a community group or school applies for March 2024 and is successful, they would not be eligible to apply again until March 2025.  

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.

For more information on sponsorships that will not be considered by MainPower, please see our Community Fund Terms and Conditions

Once all nominations are received, all non-eligible nominations will be declined and advised why their applications will not progress. The remaining applications will be put toward the committee of MainPower representatives for their recommendations and input.  

The committees recommendations will then be submitted to the MainPower Executive team for approval.  

Successful applicants will be notified, and payment details will be confirmed.  

The MainPower website will be updated with the successful applications and projects the funds went towards.

Please note that once the allocation decision is made, the money is distributed within eight (8) weeks of nominations closing.  

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

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.

Nominations will then be submitted to the committee of MainPower representatives for their recommendations and input.  

The committees recommendations will then be submitted to the MainPower Executive team for approval.  

Successful applicants will be notified.

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.  

• An entity registered under the Charities Act 2005. 

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

• Funding request to be for causes/events happening within seven months of the fund closing (or six months from the funds being received). 

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

  • Waimakariri 

  • Kaikōura 

  • 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, finalists applications will then be taken to the internal Community Fund Committee to make funding recommendations and decisions, 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. If your group is awarded funds in the May round of the fund, you then become ineligible to receive funding until the May round in the following year.

$40,000 will be available during each 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.