Opens 3rd June and 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

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.