The Community Wellbeing Fund supports projects and events which enhance the social, cultural, environmental and economic wellbeing of the city, as well as supporting the Council’s vision to create “Our city with heart – He Ngākau Aroha”.
Do you have an idea for an activity that supports wellbeing in Invercargill?
Applications are invited from groups and organisations seeking funds for a project or event which aligns with Council’s vision.
2026/2027 Funding round key dates
The Community Wellbeing Fund Subcommittee meets regularly to assess funding applications. Refer to the Council meetings and workshops page to see when the subcommittee is scheduled to meet.
Round
Applications close
1
Closes 3 July 2026
2
Closes 4 September 2026
3
Closes 6 November 2026
Apply now
Reporting once your project has taken place
Did you receive funding in the last 12 months? We require accountability to show how the money received has been spent and what the outcomes of the activity/project/event were. Please submit this within 2 months of your completion date.
For further information about the Community Wellbeing Fund, including queries regarding applications, email wellbeing@icc.govt.nz or phone (03) 211 1777 and ask to speak to the Engagement and Partnerships Officer.
Five funding rounds took place in the 2026/2027 year. During this period:
83 applications were received
73 were successfully allocated funding, including 10 multiyear allocations from previous financial years. This compares to 71 projects funded from 83 applications in 2024/2025 through the Community Wellbeing Fund.
The 11 applications which did not receive funding were declined for various reasons, primarily due to the requested investment and outcomes not being sufficiently aligned to the Council’s priorities and vision.
The fund remains popular with community groups and organisations looking for funding for their projects, events or operational costs and 28% of applications received were from new organisations who had not applied to the fund previously. Funding support has been given to a diverse range of applications across many sectors of the community.
The Fund had a reduced pool of available funds for the 2025/2026 financial year, being $465,000.
Total allocations made to successful projects (including multiyear) equalled $495,906*.
*There were $30,907 of returned unspent grants added to the pool to be redistributed by the Fund Subcommittee, which is why allocations total more than the $465,000 availability for the 2025/2026 financial year.
As in previous years, social wellbeing remains the focus of most applications.
Five funding rounds took place in the 2024/2025 year. During this period:
83 applications were received
62 were allocated funding, including 9 multiyear allocations from previous financial years. This compares to 63 projects funded in 2023/24 through the Community Wellbeing Fund.
3 were deferred
1 was withdrawn
The 19 applications which did not receive funding were declined for various reasons, primarily due to the requested investment and outcomes not being sufficiently aligned to the Council’s priorities and vision.
The fund remains popular with community groups looking for funding for their projects and over 30% of applications received were from new organisations who had not applied to the fund previously. Funding support has been given to a variety of applications across many organisations and diverse projects.
Total allocations made to successful projects (including multiyear) equalled $586,859*.
*There were $21,900 worth of returned grants from the previous financial year, which is why allocations total more than the $565,000 availability for the 2024/2025 financial year.
As in previous years, social wellbeing remains the focus of most applications.
