Grants & Funding

Community Waste Minimisation Fund

Applications are open until Monday 31 March 2025

This fund is administered by WasteNet on behalf of Gore District Council, Invercargill City Council & Southland District Council and aims to support those in Southland who are helping our region move towards zero waste.

To find out more or apply click here

Creative Communities Scheme

In partnership with Creative New Zealand, we aim to promote, support and increase participation in community arts and cultural activities within the Gore District.

Any group, organisation or individual that meets the grant criteria can apply. For example, performances by community choirs, hip-hop groups, theatre companies, or art projects that bring together groups from a range of different communities and enables young people (under 18 years) to engage with, and participate in the arts.

The current funding round is for projects that will take place between 1 February and 31 July 2025.

Applications are now closed

Application Form

Pioneer Women's Memorial Trust Scholarships

We look after these scholarships for the Trust. Each year the Trust offers three educational bursaries, valued at $1000 each, to students who are contemplating tertiary education or a trade apprenticeship.

They are available to pupils who live in the catchment area and are attending the schools listed below:

• Māruawai College,
• St Peter's College,
• Blue Mountain College, and
• Menzies College.

Applications closed 5:00pm Monday 21 October.

Restroom Saga

Gore District Council Tertiary Education Scholarships

Each year the Council offers two tertiary education scholarships, valued at $1,000 each. The scholarships are an initiative of the Gore District Youth Council and have been set up for young people from the Gore District who are commencing tertiary study.

Studies should be in a council-relevant area and there is the opportunity for up to 10 weeks paid work experience with the Council during holiday breaks.

The scholarships will be available to young people who

• are dedicated to studying,
• have a clear vision of the goals they want to achieve, and
• a passion for making a difference.

The scholarships are open to school leavers aged 19 years or under. They must be going on to study at a tertiary level.

Applications closed 5:00pm Monday 21 October.

Sport NZ Rural Travel Fund

Applications closed 5:00pm Wednesday 9 October.

This fund is designed to subsidise travel for junior teams taking part in local sport competitions. It is open to rural sports clubs and school teams in the Gore District.

Those taking part in the sports must be aged between five years and 19 years. The fund is for travel to local sports competition out of school time, and not regional or national events.

Coster Fund

This fund was created from a bequest by a Mataura resident Claude Coster. Under the funding guidelines the money has to be spent in Mataura on projects that will benefit its people. Only not-for-profit organisations can apply and the maximum grant available is for 50 per cent of a project's total cost. Applications for funding will be publicly notified.