Community support fund – Community Support Package
The Community Support Fund/Provider Support Fund is now oversubscribed so we will not be taking any further applications as from Tuesday 4 April. MSD will continue to review applications received before this date.
A Community Support Package for those affected by the recent the recent North Island Floods and Cyclone Gabrielle, was announced by the Government on 13 February 2023.
As part of the overall Community Support Package, a $2 million Community Support Fund has been established.
This funding is time-limited and only available until 30 June 2023.
This funding is available for community groups supporting whānau and communities in Auckland and other regions impacted by recent weather events, who are not contracted by a government agency.
The funding will allow community groups to maintain their response and recovery efforts so they can continue to support whānau wellbeing and to support the wellbeing of their staff and volunteers.
Who can apply
Examples of community groups who can apply are:
- Multicultural councils
- Ethnic community organisations
- Faith based, religious and church groups
- Community Hubs
- Not for profit organisations and social enterprise
- Grassroots initiatives with significant relationships with community members
Application process
Community groups can request up to $20,000 in funding. Funding must be used by 30 June 2023.
We will be contacting grant recipients to notify them of this change and to discuss whether a further application is required to address any unmet need.
If you have any questions around exactly what each of the funds can be used for, please get in touch with us at community_support@msd.govt.nz
Applications can be made through the Community Support Fund online form:
Applicants who need assistance with applications for accessibility reasons, can contact us via email: community_support@msd.govt.nz.
What we may fund
Funds will be granted in these two categories:
Assistance to continue operations
- Support to continue providing assistance to others through response and recovery efforts related to the North Island floods and Cyclone Gabrielle.
- Wellbeing of staff and volunteers
Assistance to members of community
Areas of emphasis:
- Psychosocial wellbeing
- Loneliness and isolation
- Anxiety and mental health
- Wellbeing of staff and volunteers
- Access to essential goods and shelter
- Assistance acquiring food, clothing, bedding
- Assistance acquiring shelter or transport to shelter
- Assistance with medical requirements such as transport to doctors or chemists
- Provision of donated goods
- Financial hardship
- Household assistance and support
- Transport assistance and support
- School attendance
- Transport to/from school
- Assistance with school supplies or clothing
- Assistance to acquire after school care
- Difficulty navigating supports and services available, for example:
- Clean up
- Insurance
- Housing
- Support for those seeking temporary relocation or accommodation
Multiple applications from the same organisation or community group will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, for example when there is more than one location where the organisation provides services.
We will not fund
The Community Support Fund cannot be used for:
- Activities that intend to generate profit
- The promotion of commercial, political, or religious objectives
- The purchase of alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco, or vaping products
- The sole benefit of one individual
- Insurance costs or replacements
- Contracted providers that hold current contracts for the provision of social services, including marae and faith-based organisations.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the funding, organisations or community groups should meet the following criteria:
- Be working directly with communities in the flood or cyclone response
- Not be social sector providers, councils or accredited providers
- Be able to report back on reach and impact of initiatives
- Agree to terms and conditions of the funding
Payment criteria
On application, please provide an invoice to assist application processing. For invoices to be processed promptly, please ensure that your invoice follows IRD invoice guidelines or use one of these templates:
If you are not registered for GST, please fill out the non-GST Community Support Invoice form:
If you are registered for GST, please fill out the Tax Invoice form:
Reporting criteria
Fund recipients will be required to provide information and feedback about the delivery and impact of their initiative. This may include:
- How funding has helped the organisation continue its services
- Number of individuals or whānau supported
- A breakdown of how the funding was utilised
- Highlights and challenges
The information we collect will be used for assessment purposes related to the Community Support Fund and the Community Support Package.
For more information or assistance
If you have queries or need assistance with relating to the Community Support Fund, please contact: community_support@msd.govt.nz
For all other queries about any other initiatives related to the Community Support Package, please contact: community_information@msd.govt.nz
