Funding Application

Feasibility Fund Application Guidelines

This guide outlines the feasibility funding application process, eligibility requirements, the criteria applications will be assessed against and requirements for successful applicants.

The Feasibility Fund aims to support comprehensive analysis and research to assess the practicality, viability, and potential success of projects or ideas, with a focus on benefiting our communities and economy.

Objective of the fund 

The purpose of the Feasibility Fund is to materialise projects and ideas, along with investment in them, that will benefit our community and economy. By enabling feasibility studies, business case development and preparatory information for raising capital, the Fund will allow emerging opportunities and industries to be explored for our region, attract investment, and support sustainable regional economic growth and resiliency.

Eligibility  

To be eligible to apply for funding from the Feasibility Fund, the applicant must meet the following criteria when the application is made.

Eligible projects will: 

• contain uncertainty surrounding its viability and/or validity
• be strategically aligned to the Trust’s priorities
• demonstrate clear and significant benefits for our communities and economy
• have direct relevance to the Tairāwhiti region or its communities and economy.

Additionally, applicants must:   

• be able to clearly communicate their planned feasibility study, the broader project or idea and a vision, pathway to success or desired outcome/s
• obtain a supplier quote or proposal (or produce one if undertaking the work yourself) for submission with your application
• have a vested interest in the project (stake or demonstrable commitment)
• be a legal entity such as a trust, company, or incorporated society, and must be able to provide evidence of this status if requested
• disclose any debt owed by the applicant
• declare any additional funding, grant, koha/donation received for the same project.

Ineligibility 

We wont provide funding for: 

• business as usual activity, or the normal, routine operations of a business.

Applying for funding 

Before you apply for funding, please make sure you: 

• Have read this guide carefully to ensure you fully understand the fund objective, eligibility, and criteria
• Prepare information required in the application including: 
  • A description of your broader project or idea
  • An outline of the feasibility study to be undertaken
  • NZBN or Charities number, and GST number if applicable
  • Relevant quotes or proposals (must include a cost breakdown) 
  • Pre-coded bank deposit slip, recent bank statement or verified bank document. The applicant’s name needs to be the same as the bank account name.

Assessment criteria 

Applications will be assessed as follows:  

• The degree to which they meet the eligibility criteria
• The extent to which they align with the Trust’s wellbeing framework, He Rangitapu He Tohu Ora
• The degree to which they align with the Trust’s strategic priorities

Applications for funding will be assessed initially by a funding advisor appointed by the Trust.

Supporting information 

Supplier quote/s and/or proposal/s (mandatory) 

A supplier quote or proposal is required to be submitted with your application. If you plan to conduct the feasibility study yourself, you are required to produce a quote or proposal. This should include:  

• details of the work to be undertaken with costs apportioned to any stages, milestones or aspects 
• assumptions (if any) 
• list of outputs (any reports or presentations that will result) 
• summary of costs 
• timeframes.

Project or Business Plan (optional) 

To support your application, you may submit a project plan or business plan. 

Successful applicants 

Once funding has been approved, all successful applicants will receive a funding agreement. This is a formal contract which outlines what is expected of recipients, the amount of funding the Trust is granting, and any in-kind support that the Trust will provide. The funding agreement will also outline the reporting requirements for recipients and will incorporate a sunset clause that determines the money will be forfeited within the period stipulated, if not uplifted in accordance with the agreement conditions.

Reporting requirements 

All successful applicants will be required to formally report to the Trust on the use of monies granted.  

A report must be provided to the Trust no more than eight weeks after completion of a feasibility study and should include the following:

• a copy of any outputs produced, for example, reports
• proof of how the funding was used (invoices paid) 
• details of the outcomes resulting from the work completed and next steps. 

These reporting requirements may be varied by the Trust depending on the nature of the application.

The Trust’s discretion 

The Trust reserves the right to: 

• request applicants to provide additional information  
• impose conditions on the approval or payment of funding 
• take any other action that it sees fit in relation to the funding process. 

Part of the terms and conditions of funding 

• The applicant must detail in their application any actual or potential conflict of interest (including anything which might have the appearance of a conflict of interest) which could compromise the decision on the application or bring the process or the Trust into disrepute.
• All applicants must disclose to the Trust any other funding sources related to the project (either confirmed or in process), as well as any corporate or commercial sponsorship arrangements.
• Applicants must not directly or indirectly seek to influence funding decisions in any improper or unethical manner (or in any way which might have the appearance of being so), nor attempt to solicit or garner non-public information which might give an unfair advantage in the application process.
• Each applicant warrants that all information provided in relation to its application is true and correct in all material particulars, always, and is not misleading whether by omission or otherwise. Applicants must disclose all matters likely to be material to the Trust’s consideration of its application or which might have a bearing on the outcomes the Trust expects to be delivered from the funding.
• If circumstances or information change after making an application, or after the awarding of funding, the applicant must immediately notify the Trust.
• Each applicant consents to the Trust carrying out a due diligence review on its application, including the organisations and personnel involved, and relevant track records. The applicant consents to the Trust making enquiries from third parties in this regard and shall provide access to referees upon request.
• All applicants must disclose any affiliation, personal or professional relation with council staff, elected officials, local board members or the Trust’s trustees or employees, or if their immediate family, has any interest or involvement in the event in any way.
• The information the Trust collects from an applicant (such as the names and contact details of officers) is being collected so that the Trust can assess the application for funding.  All personal information provided to the Trust in connection with an application will be held, and may be used or disclosed only in accordance with, Trust Tairāwhiti‘s Privacy Policy and the Privacy Act 2020.

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Direct Investment Proposal Guidelines

This guide outlines the direct investment proposal expressions of interest process.

The Trust considers direct investment opportunities that align with its strategic priorities and will lead to transformational outcomes for Tairāwhiti. 

As the regional economic development agency, the Trust is committed to building our economy and job opportunities and can enable this through strategic direct investments.

Proposals should: 

• be strategically aligned to the Trust’s strategic priorities
• align with our wellbeing framework
• demonstrate clear and significant benefits for our communities and economy
• have direct relevance to the Tairāwhiti region.

Please note: any direct investment proposals received are treated as Expressions of Interest, not formal funding applications. 

The information the Trust collects from an applicant (such as the names and contact details of officers) is being collected so that the Trust can assess the Expressions of Interest. All personal information provided to the Trust in connection with an Expressions of Interest will be held, and may be used or disclosed only in accordance with, Trust Tairāwhiti‘s Privacy Policy and the Privacy Act 2020.

Please get in touch with our economic development team for more information.

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Regional Events Fund Application Guidelines

This guide outlines the regional events funding application process, eligibility requirements, the criteria applications will be assessed against and requirements for successful applicants.

The Regional Events Fund aims to support events being held in the Tairāwhiti region with a view to stimulating visitors from out-of-region.Tairāwhiti is a destination rich in culture and history where the sense of whanau is strong, and whakapapa runs deep. Events are a catalyst for economic activity and can play a strong role in positive economic benefits for the region.  In addition to the economic benefits, He Rangitapu He Tohu Ora, the regional wellbeing framework ensures equity, sustainability, and integrity.  

Objectives of the fund

The purpose of the Regional Event Fund is to stimulate out of region visitation by funding and building a balanced portfolio of events that reflect the destination’s strengths, values, culture, and visitor attraction strategy. The Fund aims to build event sector capability to enable development and delivery of quality, sustainable and responsible events in Tairāwhiti and thereby grow the regional economy.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for funding from the Regional Event Fund, the event organiser(s) (“applicant”) must meet the following criteria when the application is made:

• The event must take place in the Tairāwhiti region.
• The event must attract visitors from outside of the region.
• The event must stimulate economic activity and do one or more of the following:
  • bring people together to share memorable experiences
  • celebrate the Tairāwhiti region and its people
  • commemorate and respect important occasions
  • profile Tairāwhiti and its diversity
• The organisation responsible for the event must be a legal entity such as a trust, company, or incorporated society, and must be able to provide evidence of this status if requested.
• The applicant must disclose any debt owed by the organisation responsible for the event.
• The applicant must declare any additional funding, grant, or koha/ donation for the event.
• The event must not have already taken place as at the date scheduled for allocation of funds.
• The applicant must comply with all regulatory and statutory requirements (government and council) relating to the preparation and delivery of the event, including obtaining all necessary permits and consents.
• The event must be held within the planned timeframe.
• The event must be sustainable – the applicant must demonstrate that the event will be viable even without funding from the REF.

Please note: all events will require public liability insurance; however, the amount of cover will be assessed on an individual event basis.

Ineligibility

Some types of events and event-related costs are not eligible for REF funding:

• Private functions, lunches, or dinners.
• Events which do not bring in visitors from out of region (for example, annual Santa parade).
• Political events.
• Events that promote religious or political purposes.
• Events that abuse, exclude, or offend parts of the community.
• Events that present a hazard to the community or pose a significant risk to the public.
• Events that have already been held.
• Events that have breached previous funding agreements, including post-event reporting criteria (unless the Trust is satisfied that the applicant has remedied, or has committed to remedy, such breaches).
• Events that cannot demonstrate financial, environmental, cultural, and social sustainability.

In addition, REF funding cannot be used for:

• Staff salaries and/or wages.
• Purchasing or leasing a motor vehicle.
• Purchase of assets such as software and intellectual property.
• Purchase of real estate, rent or accommodation costs.
• Service and maintenance costs including utilities such as power and phone.
• Retrospective costs.
• Domestic and overseas travel.
• Debt repayments.
• Medical expenses.
• Prize money or entrance fees.
• Legal expenses.
• Purchase of alcohol.
• Infrastructure costs.
• Any expenditure that cannot be directly linked to increased visitation and spend.

Applying for funding

Before you apply for funding, please make sure you:

• Have read this guide carefully to ensure you fully understand the fund objective, eligibility, criteria, and post-event requirements.
• Prepare information required in the application including:
  • Budgets, business plan, and communications plan
  • All supporting information including references and previous post-event reports.
  • NZBN or Charities number, and GST number if applicable
  • Pre-coded bank deposit slip, recent bank statement or verified bank document. The applicant’s name needs to be the same as the bank account name.

Assessment criteria

Applications will be assessed as follows:

• The degree to which they meet the eligibility criteria
• The degree to which they align with the Trust’s strategic priorities

Applications for funding will be assessed initially by a funding advisor appointed by the Trust.

Supporting information

Event Business Plan (essential for new or developing events)

An events business plan lists the key steps you will take to stage a successful event and serves to guide your event towards achieving its objectives and vision.

Your events business plan should set out and justify your event in a logical framework. The plan should act as a blueprint for the event and is a vital resource for potential investors and funders.

Marketing & Communications plan (essential for all events)

The plan should outline your communications and marketing objectives, and all intended promotional and marketing activity, your media strategy, internal and external stakeholder communications activity, as well as a crisis management plan.

This plan should include dates and details about its implementation. Your plan will help the Trust to assess whether your event will be able to attract your target audience.

Event Budget (essential for all events)

A detailed budget outlining all event expenses and income is an essential part of the application for funding. Budget information should be based on quotes from suppliers you intend to use.

Ensure you include all the relevant regulatory costs involved in your event, such as resource consent fees, costs for the preparation of traffic management plans by an approved contractor, building consents etc.

Please note: The Regional Events Fund will not fund some event-related costs – refer to Ineligibility.

Post-event requirements

After the event, all successful applicants will be required to formally report to the Trust on the use of monies granted.

An Event Report must be provided to the Trust no more than eight (8) weeks after the Event (or single running of the Event) and must include the following:

• how the conditions and Event KPIs outlined in the agreement have been met
• a copy of the final profit and loss statement.

Successful applicants

Once funding has been approved, all successful applicants will receive a funding agreement. This is a formal contract which outlines what is expected of recipients, the amount of funding the Trust is granting, and any in-kind support that the Trust will provide. The funding agreement will also outline the reporting requirements for recipients and will incorporate a sunset clause that determines the money will be forfeited within the period stipulated, if not uplifted in accordance with the agreement conditions.

The Trust’s discretion

The Trust reserves the right to:

• require applicants to provide additional information 
• impose conditions on the approval or payment of funding, such as a requirement to successfully obtain a level of private funding or generate a certain number of entries for an event
• take any other action that it sees fit in relation to the funding process.

Part of the terms and conditions of funding

• The Regional Events Fund is capped and the Trust is not obliged to continue to allocate amounts to the Fund. 
• The Trust is not obliged to grant all its funds in any year, nor to carry over unallocated amounts into future years.
• The Trust has the right to share application details with local government, Gisborne District Council, and to consult with them on applications.
• The applicant must detail in their application any actual or potential conflict of interest (including anything which might have the appearance of a conflict of interest) which could compromise the decision on the application or bring the process or the Trust into disrepute.
• All applicants must disclose to the Trust any other central government or local government funding sources for the event (either confirmed or in process), as well as any corporate or commercial sponsorship arrangements.
• Applicants must not directly or indirectly seek to influence funding decisions in any improper or unethical manner (or in any way which might have the appearance of being so), nor attempt to solicit or garner non-public information which might give an unfair advantage in the application process.
• Each applicant warrants that all information provided in relation to its application is true and correct in all material particulars, always, and is not misleading whether by omission or otherwise. Each applicant must disclose all matters likely to be material to the Trust’s consideration of its application or which might have a bearing on the outcomes the Trust expects to be delivered from the funding.
• If circumstances or information change after making an application, or after the awarding of funding, the applicant must immediately notify the Trust.
• Each applicant consents to the Trust carrying out a due diligence review on its application, including the organisations and personnel involved, and relevant track records. The applicant consents to the Trust making enquiries from third parties in this regard and shall provide access to referees upon request.
• All applicants must disclose any affiliation, personal or professional relation with council staff, elected officials, local board members or the Trust’s trustees or employees, or if their immediate family, has any interest or involvement in the event in any way.
• The information the Trust collects from an applicant (such as the names and contact details of officers) is being collected so that the Trust can assess the application for funding.  All personal information provided to the Trust in connection with an application will be held, and may be used or disclosed only in accordance with, Trust Tairāwhiti‘s Privacy Policy and the Privacy Act 2020.

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Community Fund Application Guidelines

This guide outlines the community funding application process, eligibility requirements, the criteria applications will be assessed against and requirements for successful applicants.

The Community Fund supports diverse projects and initiatives that provide meaningful, equitable impacts across our communities, that lead to sustained wellbeing for our people. 

Objective of the fund 

The purpose of the Community Fund is to improve the wellbeing of beneficiaries in the Tairāwhiti region through strategic and equitable distributions for community projects and initiatives.  

Eligibility 

To be eligible to apply for funding from the Community Fund, the applicant must meet the following criteria when the application is made. 

Eligible applicants will: 

• be a legal entity such as a trust, company, or incorporated society, and must be able to provide evidence of this status if requested OR 
• be able to demonstrate it operates with the same standards as one
• have a bank account in the applicant’s name with a minimum of two signatures
• be strategically aligned to the Trust’s priorities and He Rangitapu He Tohu Ora (the waharoa and wellbeing framework)
• benefit the people of Tairāwhiti (within the Gisborne District Council territorial authority)
• when procurement is required, work with local businesses and suppliers wherever possible
• demonstrate minimal to no negative impact on the taiao (physical environment)
• have significant community support and involvement
• demonstrate co-funding has been received or is being sought
• demonstrate community, whanau, hapu, or iwi voice is captured, or the initiative is community, whānau, hapu or iwi-led
• be able to clearly communicate the project or initiative and desired outcomes.

Ineligibility 

We don’t provide community funding for: 

• core activities usually funded by local or central government, unless the applicant satisfies the Trust there are extenuating circumstances 
• retrospective applications – we can’t fund something that has already taken place
• repaying or servicing debt
• refinancing loans, deposits, or underwriting projects
• duplication of similar projects already providing a service unless the applicant satisfies the Trust there are extenuating circumstances.

Applying for funding 

Before you apply, please make sure you: 

• Have read this guide carefully to ensure you fully understand the fund objective, eligibility, and criteria
• Prepare information required in the application including:
  • Project detail and budget, including other funds raised
  • NZBN or Charities number, and GST number if applicable
  • Relevant quotes
  • Annual accounts for the previous 12 months and an income and expenditure statement if annual accounts are more than 12 months old
  • Pre-coded bank deposit slip, recent bank statement or verified bank document. The applicant’s name needs to be the same as the bank account name.

Application requests for more than $15,000 may require more information. 

Assessment criteria 

Applicants will be assessed as follows: 

• The degree to which they meet the eligibility criteria
• The extent to which they align with the Trust’s wellbeing framework, He Rangitapu He Tohu Ora
• The degree to which they align with the Trust’s strategic priorities

Applications for funding will be assessed initially by a funding advisor appointed by the Trust. 

Successful applicants 

Once funding has been approved, all successful applicants will receive a funding agreement. This is a formal contract which outlines what is expected of recipients, the amount of funding the Trust is granting, and any in-kind support that the Trust will provide. The funding agreement will also outline the reporting requirements for recipients and will incorporate a sunset clause that determines the money will be forfeited within the period stipulated, if not uplifted in accordance with the agreement conditions.

Reporting requirements 

All successful applicants will be required to formally report to the Trust on the use of monies granted. 

This includes completing a short-form survey and impact report at completion of the project or within 12 months, whichever is sooner. 

These reporting requirements may be varied by the Trust depending on the nature of the application.

The Trust’s discretion 

The Trust reserves the right to: 

• require applicants to provide additional information 
• impose conditions on the approval or payment of funding
• take any other action that it sees fit in relation to the funding process.

Part of the terms and conditions of funding 

• The applicant must detail in their application any actual or potential conflict of interest (including anything that might appear to be a conflict of interest) that could compromise the decision on the application or bring the process or the Trust into disrepute.
• All applicants must disclose to the Trust any other funding sources related to the project (either confirmed or in process), as well as any corporate or commercial sponsorship arrangements.
• Applicants must not directly or indirectly seek to influence funding decisions in any improper or unethical manner (or in any way which might have the appearance of being so), nor attempt to solicit or garner non-public information that might give an unfair advantage in the application process.
• Each applicant warrants that all information provided in relation to its application is true and correct in all material particulars, always, and is not misleading, whether by omission or otherwise. Applicants must disclose all matters likely to be material to the Trust’s consideration of its application or which might have a bearing on the outcomes the Trust expects to be delivered from the funding.
• If circumstances or information change after making an application, or after the awarding of funding, the applicant must immediately notify the Trust.
• Each applicant consents to the Trust carrying out a due diligence review on its application, including the organisations and personnel involved, and relevant track records. The applicant consents to the Trust making enquiries from third parties in this regard and shall provide access to referees upon request.
• All applicants must disclose any affiliation, personal or professional relation with council staff, elected officials, local board members or the Trust’s trustees or employees, or if their immediate family, has any interest or involvement in the event in any way.
• The information the Trust collects from an applicant (such as the names and contact details of officers) is being collected so that the Trust can assess the application for funding.  All personal information provided to the Trust in connection with an application will be held, and may be used or disclosed only in accordance with, Trust Tairāwhiti‘s Privacy Policy and the Privacy Act 2020.  

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