Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS) Te Tahua Mā Ngā Whakahaere i Ngā Hapori
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply?
Non-profit organisations that provide community-based social services within the area of the 37 Local Distribution Committees (LDCs).
When can we apply?
Applications open on 1 June and close on the last Wednesday of July each year.
What happens after we apply?
The advisor will check your application for eligibility, financial and legal status, and that all appropriate supporting documentation is provided. Then your application goes to the Local Distribution Committee for assessment. This assessment process is generally competed within 3 months of the closing date. Note: Applications that are incomplete, i.e. have not provided all the necessary documentation, will almost certainly be considered ineligible and the applicant will be advised accordingly.
If we are a national or regional organisation, can we apply?
Yes you can, but you need to complete a separate application for each LDC. In your application you will need to demonstrate that the project or service you are applying for has a direct benefit to the local community. In Section C of the application form you are required to refer to the local priorities of the respective LDC when answering these questions. Note: Organisations agree in condition 4 of the Applicant Declaration “To acknowledge the receipt of a COGS grant as a separate entry in our accounts, or in a note to our accounts, in our organisation’s annual report and in any media publicity arising from the grant”. If you are completing your application online, local priorities for the LDC are displayed at Section C. If you require a hard copy of priorities for all LDCs, contact an advisor at the nearest regional office of the Department of Internal Affairs, or call freephone 0800 824 824. National and regional organisations must provide the name and contact details of the organisation’s local representative who is based in the area the service or programme is being delivered. See Question A4 in the Application Form.
If we are a national organisation, how should we go about applying for funds for a project or service in a local area?
Ensure that the project or service can demonstrate a local focus and responds to an identified need in the community. Contact your local affiliate or networks to establish the merits of the proposed project or service prior to submitting your application.
Can I apply for funding as or for an individual?
No. Individuals are not eligible for COGS funding.
Can we apply for funding for activities or programmes taking place overseas?
No. COGS grants may not be used for activities or programmes taking place outside New Zealand
Can we apply for vehicles, furniture, office equipment, or to pay for land or building alterations?
No. Grants may not be used for capital items.
Can we apply for funding for a commercial business?
Grants are not approved for commercial purposes. Non-profit organisations or charitable organisations are eligible for funding. Some limited liability companies, which operate charitable services under constitution, may be eligible. Please call freephone 0800 824 824 for assistance.
What priorities does COGS have?
COGS funding is for projects and services that respond to a locally identified need; that are initiated by local community organisations and organisations that work with one or more of the COGS priority sectors (i.e. Māori, women, Pacific communities, other ethnic communities, older people, the rurally isolated, people with disabilities, families, youth and children, and unemployed people); and where community organisations have limited access to other government funding. Each Local Distribution Committee (LDC) sets local priorities, which are determined after Public Meetings held in each local LDC area prior to the opening of the funding round. If you are completing your application online, the local priorities for the LDC are displayed at the start of Section C. If you require a hard copy of all priorities, contact an advisor at the nearest regional office of the Department of Internal Affairs, or call freephone 0800 824 824.
Where do I find local priorities for COGS?
Local area priorities are published on our website prior to the opening of the COGS funding round on 1 June each year.
