Grants & Funding

The Gore District Council looks after six funding schemes. They are

Creative Communities NZ Scheme,
Sport NZ Rural Travel Fund,
Rural Halls and Domain Scheme,
Pioneer Women's Memorial Trust Scholarships
the Coster Fund, and
the Rural Special Fund.

We also offer two education scholarships each year and are involved in the Southland Newcomer Leadership Scholarship.

Gore District Council Tertiary Education Scholarships

Applications have closed for 2020

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.

Their 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 who live in the Gore District and are aged 19 years or under. They must be going on to study at a tertiary level.

Southland Newcomer Leadership Scholarship

The Gore District Council, in conjunction with Invercargill City Council and Southland District Council, is excited to announce the launch of the Southland Newcomer Leadership Scholarship.

The purpose of this scholarship is to support newcomers in the Southland region to grow their leadership skills so they are well positioned to be leaders in our business, community and not-for-profit sectors.

The scholarship is available to “ethnic newcomers” living in the Southland region who wish to attend the Southland Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Academy programme. Here is the link to more information about the Chamber's programme

The definition of “ethnic newcomers” is very wide and includes working migrants, former refugees, and international students.

There are currently five scheduled dates for the programme in 2021 with locations including Edendale, Invercargill, Lumsden, and Gore.

You can download an application form or contact our Newcomers Network Coordinator Mark McCann, phone 021-327-611.

Application Form [PDF, 2.1 MB]

Gore Creative Communities Scheme

The application deadline for this round has been extended

The latest funding round is for events held between 1 March 2021 and 31 August 2021. Applications close on Friday 5 March.

We have a partnership with Creative New Zealand to promote, support and increase participation in community arts and cultural activities in the Gore district. Each year Creative New Zealand provides Creative Communities Scheme funding to Council to distribute.

There is no maximum amount you can apply for, however grants usually range between $200 - $2,000.

Any group, organisation or individual that can meet the grant criteria can apply, however, grants are not for individual gain.

Applications are called for twice a year, usually around February and August.

Creative Communities NZ scheme application guide [PDF, 309 KB]

2020-21 CCS Application Form [PDF, 607 KB]

Sport NZ Rural Travel Fund

Applications are now open for the winter funding round

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. Applications are called for twice a year, usually around February and August.

SportNZ Travel Fund Application Form [PDF, 350 KB] [PDF, 840 KB]

Sport NZ Rural Travel Fund guidelines [PDF, 514 KB]

Pioneer Women's Memorial Trust Scholarships

Applications are now closed.

2020 Application Form [PDF, 374 KB]

We look after these scholarships for the Trust. Each year the Trust offers three educational bursaries, valued at $750 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:

Gore High School,
St Peter's College,
Blue Mountain College, and
Menzies College.

Applications close on Monday 2 November, at 5.00pm

Restroom Saga [PDF, 1009 KB]

Rural Halls and Domains

Applications are now closed.

Application form [PDF, 717 KB]

For many rural communities their hall and domain are a focal point, a venue for events that bind and strengthen the community. The Council has funding available via its Rural Halls and Domains Grant Scheme to help with any capital projects and significant work associated with ensuring the long-term future of these important facilities. Everyday running costs are not eligible for the scheme. Applications are called for around May.

Coster Fund

Criteria and application form [PDF, 457 KB]

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.

Rural Special Fund

This fund was established from money paid to the Council by the Southland County Council as a result of local government amalgamation in 1989. It was used for grants and loans, as well as subsidising rural rates, for a number of years before being set aside to rebuild. There are no plans in the foreseeable future to resume dispensing money from this fund.

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