Community Services Grant | Hamilton City Council

Fund snapshot

Why do we have this grant?

We recognise the value of our diverse communities and that connecting all Hamiltonians through community activities, helps to build an intercultural society and a deep understanding and respect for all.

What does this grant look like?

This grant supports groups and small not-for-profit community organisations who host free or low-cost community events with wide community participation in our city. These groups deliver services, initiatives and projects that improve wellbeing and connectivity in Hamilton.

Application criteria

Who can apply?

The Community Services Grants is targeted at community groups or organisations with legal entity status and operating more than 12-month who:

• provide key services for people across a diverse range of sectors or target areas in Hamilton, and/or
• host free or low-cost community events with wide community participation in Hamilton.

What gets funded?

Grants will support organisations for:
• Key services, initiatives, and projects that:
o provide support for day to day needs such as food provisions.
o support the development of life skills.
o facilitate employment opportunities.
o enhance the lives of people living with high needs; or
o are initiatives that improve access to support or new experiences.
• Small capital or equipment items, repairs and maintenance of existing non-Council assets that have wide impact on community.
• Events that are open to the wider public, are low cost or free to attend, are likely to draw large audiences and activate our public spaces.

Please note this fund is for projects and activities taking place from September 2025. The decision will be made by late August 2025.

The application

1. Application processes, guidelines and help.

You’ll need to register on Smartygrants first, then follow the guidelines to complete your application. This will set out what you need to get together before you apply.

There are many help options available through online guides and video tutorials when you are logged into the Smartygrants platform.

Also, here’s how we can help you with the online application process:

You can ask for assistance from one of our funding administrators, if you need it.
You can attend an information session (held in February each year).
You can attend one of our regular funding workshops held throughout the year.

You can also contact a funding administrator from our Community Development Team for more information. Either call our Customer Services Team on 07 838 6699 during office hours, email us at info@hcc.govt.nz.

Apply here

2. When and how you can expect to hear back from us.

Once we’ve received your application via the Smartygrants platform, our staff will take it through the application process and assess it against the grant’s criteria and guidelines.

You’ll be notified of the decision within 8 - 12 weeks after the Smartygrants online system has closed applications.

Please note: Any data submitted as part of a Hamilton City Council funding application is available to Hamilton City Council. It is a cloud based tool that meets all requirements for information security and privacy.