Grant support for local projects that protect and restore our place.

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We support local catchment and environmental groups with administrative help, practical services, and small grants to strengthen whenua and wai, build capability, and enable commuities to design and deliver their own solutions.  

How our Grants process work

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1.Read

We encourage people to read through all the information on this page including the types of grants we offer, assessment criteria, and FAQ’s. We also encourage people to read about other Projects we have funded.

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2.Contact

Contact us. We’ll answer questions, provide guidance on which Grant type you should apply for, and facilitate the application process. We can meet you Online via a video chat, over the phone, or in person.

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4.Decision

Following completion of eligibility assessment and independent panel review, the LFTL Board will make the final decision on the funding application.

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3.Apply

Fill out and submit an online application.

Engagement Grants

Engagement Grants are designed to support local conversations, strengthen community connections, and explore shared ideas in the early stages of development.

Funding examples include covering the costs of introductory meetings, hui, wananga, workshops, presentations, or other gatherings aimed at initial project conversations.

An Engagement Grant can be a great first step toward shaping ideas that may later grow into a Learning & Action Project. 

The funding application is simple and designed for efficient review and approvals.

Funding examples include covering the costs of introductory meetings, hui, wananga, workshops, presentations, or other gatherings aimed at initial project conversations.

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  • These applications can be submitted at any time and are reviewed each month by the LFTL Board.

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Contact a Community Coordinator
Apply online - Engagement Grant
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Project Grants 

Project Grants are open to community, taio, iwi, hapu and catchment groups, as well as not for profit organisations and individuals with clear community backing within the Tairāwhiti region. They are for modest amounts, and are intended to support community-based collective action, including:

  • Learning or upskilling opportunities 

  • Pilot projects or trialing new ideas 

  • Events, wānanga, and workshops 

  • Strengthening collaboration between groups or communities

  • Administrative and / or office overhead support 

  • Improving how your community responds to environmental challenges

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  • Fund Rounds October, January, April, July.

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Contact a Community Coordinator
Apply Online Project Grant

We encourage groups to apply for what is needed, supporting more community projects at a modest level than fewer large scale projects.

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Assessment Criteria

  • Does your project meet the following assessment criteria:

    1. Eligibility & Fit

    • Applicant meets eligibility requirements (community group, whānau, or supported individual within Tairāwhiti).

    • Proposed activity aligns with LFTL kaupapa and funding conditions.

    2. Alignment to LFTL Goals

    • Strengthens local catchment/community capability.

    • Supports thriving communities, sustainable farming, and environmental health.

    • Demonstrates collective benefit (not just individual gain).

    3. Collaboration & Inclusion

    • Involves local whānau, hapū, iwi, landowners, schools, or other groups.

    • Promotes shared learning, knowledge exchange, or storytelling.

    • Recognises mana whenua and local community leadership.

    4. Environmental & Learning Value

    • Contributes to improved catchment health or environmental outcomes.

    • Provides opportunities for learning, trialling, or testing new approaches.

    • Builds awareness and skills that can be applied beyond the project.

    5. Feasibility & Budget

    • Project plan and timeline are realistic and achievable.

    • Budget is reasonable, transparent, and represents good value for money.

    • Leverages partner support, co-funding, or in-kind contributions (where possible).

    6. Impact & Sustainability

    • Potential for lasting benefit beyond the funded activity.

    • Helps set the foundation for longer-term projects or group development.

    • Identifies clear outputs and outcomes, and commits to reporting.

  • Successful applicants will receive a payment schedule suited to the size, duration, and scope of their project. Smaller or short-term projects may be paid in one or two instalments; larger or longer-term projects will have staged milestone payments. Each milestone payment will be released on approval of milestone reports and, where applicable, supporting financial documentation (e.g., invoices or receipts).

    If the applicant is an entity, payments will be made directly to the applicant’s account. If the application is made by an individual on behalf of an unincorporated group, funds may be held by East Coast – Leading from the Land Inc. and managed via Taupua Tairāwhiti Services Inc.

    In-kind contributions received can also be documented and included in the funding consideration.

    • The project must occur within the Tairāwhiti region.

    • Funding will only be provided for costs associated with the Approved Project.

    • Retrospective funding (for costs already incurred) is not eligible.

    • East Coast – Leading from the Land Inc reserves the right to inspect or promote supported projects.

    • The applicant is responsible for all Health and Safety requirements under current legislation.

    • The applicant acknowledges that the project grants are sourced from a Catchment Extension Services funding agreement between the Ministry for Primary Industry (MPI) and East Coast – Leading from the Land Incorporated (the Society). The applicant must comply with all directions and requests issued by the Society and MPI in relation to the funding. This includes, without limitation, all requests for the provision of reports and financial records and requests to conduct monitoring or audit of the funded activities and the use of the grant funds.

  • For a full list of Terms & Conditions, please request a copy of the Project Grant Agreement from the LFTL Project Team.

    How to Submit: Email completed forms to: support@lftl.co.nz

FAQs

  • To be eligible the Applicant need to be community group, whānau, or supported individual within Tairāwhiti) and the proposed activity aligns with LFTL kaupapa.

    LFTL supports community, taiao, iwi, hapū, whānau, and catchment groups, as well as not-for-profit organisations and individuals with clear community backing. Our grants and services are here to help locally led kaupapa that strengthen the taiao, build capability, and support the wellbeing of our whenua and wai across Tairāwhiti. 

    You do not need to be a formal legal entity to apply. 

    If you are not an incorporated group, funding can be administered on your behalf through LFTL’s transaction management facility, ensuring your kaupapa can still proceed safely and smoothly. 

    • Iwi, hapū and marae-based groups 

    • Community or whānau collectives 

    • Taiao and environmental groups 

    • Catchment and landcare groups 

    • Not-for-profit or charitable organisations 

    • Individuals leading taiao-focused activities with demonstrated community support 

    • Be based in Tairāwhiti 

    • Have a kaupapa that contributes to taiao, whenua or wai outcomes 

    • Be community-led and focused on collective benefit 

    • Be able to safely deliver the activity and meet simple reporting requirements 

    LFTL does not fund commercial activities or projects outside the Tairāwhiti region. 

  • If the application is made by an individual on behalf of an unincorporated group, funds may be held by East Coast – Leading from the Land Inc. and managed via Taupua Tairāwhiti Services Inc.

  • Yes. Unsuccessful applications will be provided with reasons they didn’t receive the funding and in most instances help or direction about how to reapply or re align their project to fit the goals of lftl.

  • Engagement Grant Applications are assessed by the project manager and one of the board, whilst project grants are assessed by a Panel of experts with the final recommendation approved by the Board. To ensure neutrality Coordinators are not part of the assessment panel.

  • It is encouraged that you apply for an Engagement Grant prior to a Project Grant, so that community engagement can take place prior to committing to a Project. 

  • No

  • Yes we encourage co funding for larger projects. 

  • Yes we are able to provide a transaction management system to access assigned funding. 

    1. Large infrastructure or capital works 

    2. Standalone treatment-based projects (e.g. fencing, planting, culverts) 

    3. Projects that are already fully funded through other major investment streams (e.g., MPI’s Primary Growth Partnerships) 

  • There are a number of other funding agencies that may be able to help fund your taiao or catchment project.

    1 - Trust Tairāwhiti

    2 - Eastern and Central and Community Trust

    3 - The Sunshine Foundation

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