Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS) Te Tahua Mā Ngā Whakahaere i Ngā Hapori
- Purpose / Kaupapa
- What we fund
- What we do not fund
- Funding priorities
- How much to apply for
- Making an application
- When to apply
- After you apply
- Accountability requirements
- Promoting Community Organisation Scheme Support
- Information disclosure
Purpose / Kaupapa
The Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS) is a community-driven fund that provides grants to non-profit community organisations that deliver community-based social services.
37 Local Distribution Committees (LDCs), served by volunteers, consider and make decisions on grant applications from community organisations within each LDC's local community.
What we fund
COGS may make a contribution to
- the costs of running community organisations that provide community-based social services -these may include personnel, operating or programme costs.
- services or projects that
- encourage participation in communities
- promote community leadership
- promote social, economic and cultural equity
What we do not fund
- Activities or programmes taking place outside of New Zealand
- Capital items such as land, building and alterations, vehicles, furniture and office equipment
- Duplication of existing services, unless there is a good reason for both services to exist
- Individuals
- Political advocacy
- Retrospective funding for activities that have already happened by the application closing date
- Social functions
Funding priorities
COGS will consider services or projects that
- are initiated by local community organisations
- deliver to one or more of the COGS priority sectors, including Māori, women, Pacific communities, other ethnic communities, older people, rurally isolated people, people with disabilities, families, youth and children, and unemployed people
- have limited access to other government funding
- respond to locally identified priorities (locally identified priorities are established following public meetings held in April of each year)
How much to apply for
There is no limit to the amount that your organisation can apply for. However, because of pressure on funds, COGS is rarely able to provide grant funding to the level requested and is more likely to consider a contribution of approximately $3000 or less.
The amount of funding granted is at each LDC’s discretion. It depends on the funds available and the number and quality of the applications received.
Regardless of the amount applied for, grants over $10,000 can only be made to groups that have legal status.
Grants to community organisations without legal status are limited to no more than $10,000 in any financial year.
Applicants are encouraged to seek other funding options.
