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How are COGS funds granted?

Locally elected volunteers on 37 COGS Local Distribution Committees (LDCs) make decisions based on the likelihood that the organisations receiving grants will deliver the community benefits and outcomes described in their grant requests.

The 2022 nominations are currently open, until 31 August 2022. 

For more information about the COGS committee nomination and election process:

Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS) Local Distribution Committee 2022 nominations and elections

What does COGS fund?

COGS provides grants to non-profit community groups and organisations delivering community-based social services, projects and events. Grants are one-off contributions for:

  • the running or operational costs of organisations that provide community-based social services
  • community development costs, such as hui, training, planning, evaluation and facilitator fees
  • community projects or event costs that:
    • encourage participation in communities
    • promote community leadership
    • promote social, economic and cultural equity.

What isn't funded by a COGS grant?

COGS does not fund:

  • individuals
  • fundraisers, including professional or commercial fundraisers whose purpose is to distribute money to others
  • services that duplicate existing services, unless the request demonstrates there is a good reason for both services to exist
  • services or activities that have already been delivered or have taken place prior to the closing date
  • debt repayment or debt servicing
  • reimbursement of past transactions or for completed work
  • social functions, except if, for cultural reasons, the event brings people together in order to achieve other significant community benefits or outcomes
  • alcohol and similar substances, such as kava
  • requests where there is evidence of a conflict of interest, which has not been disclosed or managed appropriately. (Note: a conflict of interest exists where a person’s duties or responsibilities to a grant recipient organisation could be affected by some other interest or duty that the person may have)
  • publishing any material of a technical nature, unless it is consistent with the applicable policies and guidelines produced by the relevant government or government-approved authorities
  • capital items purchases such as land, buildings, renovations, machinery, vehicles and/or furniture. (Items of office equipment with a unit cost less than $1000 are not deemed to be capital items)
  • services or activities that promote commercial, political or religious activities, including political advocacy projects, employment and/or business initiatives and commercial enterprises
  • activities or projects specifically intended to generate a profit, though profits are allowed if the purpose is to achieve ongoing sustainability for the project
  • services, activities or programmes to be delivered overseas.