Elder Care Funding For Community Organisations and Service Providers
These grants are available to registered charities, incorporated societies, community trusts, and in some cases local councils — not to individuals. If you're setting up or running a community service for older people, these are your primary funding sources.
Looking for funding for families and carers? Click here
Office for Seniors — Age Friendly Fund
Who administers it
Office for Seniors | Te Tari Kaumātua (Ministry of Social Development)
Who can apply
Councils, incorporated societies, charitable trusts, and community organisations. Businesses and individuals are not eligible. Organisations that have previously received a grant must wait two funding rounds before applying again.
What it funds
Community-led projects that encourage older people to actively participate and contribute to their communities. Projects must address a clear community need and aim for lasting positive impact. Examples: social connection programmes, dementia-friendly initiatives, intergenerational projects, age-friendly planning.
Amounts available
Grants range from $5,000 to $15,000 excluding GST depending on project size and scope. Annual funding round — applications typically open mid-year.
How to apply
Download the application form from the Office for Seniors website. Submit to agefriendlyfund@msd.govt.nz. Note: the 2025 round closed 30 September 2025 — check for the 2026 round opening date.
Website
officeforseniors.govt.nz — search 'Age Friendly Fund'
Last verified
May 2026 — check current round opening dates
Lottery Community Fund
Who administers it
Department of Internal Affairs — Lottery Grants Board (11 regional committees plus one national committee)
Who can apply
Incorporated societies, charitable trusts, and registered charities. Unregistered or informal groups may be eligible for grants under $10,000. Organisations apply to either the national committee or the relevant regional committee.
What it funds
A wide range of community activities and services including social support programmes, community transport, day activities, equipment purchases (under $50,000), and operating costs for community services. Priority outcomes vary by region — check your regional committee's current priorities. Must benefit groups named in the Gambling Act 2003 including older people.
Amounts available
Varies — the regional committees set their own grant ranges based on available funding each year. Contact your regional committee for indicative amounts.
How to apply
Apply online through the DIA Community Advice and Grants portal at communitymatters.govt.nz. Requires a RealMe login. Check regional committee opening and closing dates before applying — these vary.
Website
communitymatters.govt.nz — search 'Lottery Community'
Last verified
May 2026 — check regional committee dates
Lottery Community Facilities Fund
Who administers it
Department of Internal Affairs — Lottery Grants Board
Who can apply
Incorporated societies, charitable trusts, and registered charities needing to build or improve community facilities. Councils and community boards are also eligible in some circumstances.
What it funds
Capital works projects for community facilities — construction, renovation, or improvement of buildings used for community purposes. Examples relevant to elder care: day centre facilities, community spaces, accessible transport vehicle purchases. Maximum project cost for small grants is $250,000.
Amounts available
Small grants: under $250,000 total project cost. Large grants: $250,000 and over. Applicants must demonstrate partnership funding from other sources.
How to apply
Apply online at communitymatters.govt.nz. Two rounds per year — check current opening and closing dates. Requires project planning documentation and at least two independent letters of support.
Website
communitymatters.govt.nz — search 'Lottery Community Facilities'
Last verified
May 2026 — check current round dates
Selwyn Foundation — Community Research Award
Who administers it
Selwyn Foundation (in partnership with former Ageing Well National Science Challenge)
Who can apply
New Zealand-based registered charities working directly with older people, and NZ-based researchers. Applications must show alignment with the purpose of supporting healthy, independent ageing.
What it funds
Research and community innovation projects that help people stay healthy, maintain independence, and contribute to their communities as they age. Projects should reflect the resourcefulness of older people. Community Research Award is specifically for community organisations rather than academic institutions.
Amounts available
Grant amounts not publicly specified — check with Selwyn Foundation. Two-stage application process: Expression of Interest followed by full proposal.
How to apply
Expressions of Interest open 5 December 2025 and close 18 February 2026 for the current round. Shortlisted applicants invited to submit full proposals. Results announced April 2026. Check for subsequent rounds.
Website
Last verified
May 2026 — verify current round status
Meals on Wheels — Health New Zealand Funding
Who administers it
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora — contracted through regional health services
Who can apply
Established Meals on Wheels service providers — typically Age Concern regional organisations and Red Cross. This is contract funding for existing providers, not a grant for new services. New providers seeking to establish a Meals on Wheels service should contact their regional Health New Zealand office to discuss contracting arrangements.
What it funds
Delivery of nutritious meals to older people and others who cannot prepare their own meals safely. Covers operational costs of the meal preparation and delivery service.
Amounts available
Contract-based — funding levels set through Health New Zealand contracting processes. Not a publicly advertised grant.
How to apply
Contact your regional Health New Zealand office. For established organisations seeking to deliver Meals on Wheels, discuss contracting arrangements directly with the regional commissioning team.
Website
tewhatuora.govt.nz — contact regional office
Last verified
May 2026
J R McKenzie Trust
Who administers it
J R McKenzie Trust (independent charitable trust)
Who can apply
Registered charities working with disadvantaged New Zealanders. The Trust has specific funding priorities reviewed periodically — check current priorities before applying. Has previously funded programmes supporting older people in need and community social services.
What it funds
Community social services addressing disadvantage and social exclusion. Relevant areas include programmes for isolated elderly people, support for older people in poverty, and services addressing loneliness and disconnection.
Amounts available
Varies by project and funding round. The Trust makes grants across a range of sizes — check current guidelines.
How to apply
Apply through the J R McKenzie Trust website. Check current funding priorities and whether applications are open before applying — the Trust has specific intake periods.
Website
Last verified
May 2026 — verify current priorities and intake status
Todd Foundation
Who administers it
Todd Foundation (independent charitable trust)
Who can apply
New Zealand registered charities. The Foundation has several funding streams with different priorities. Community grants relevant to elder care include programmes addressing social isolation and community wellbeing.
What it funds
Community wellbeing programmes including social connection, addressing isolation, and community-based services. Has funded programmes supporting elderly and vulnerable populations.
Amounts available
Varies — check current guidelines on website. Multiple funding streams with different amounts.
How to apply
Apply through the Todd Foundation website. Check current priorities and application windows.
Website
Last verified
May 2026 — verify current priorities
Rata Foundation (Canterbury/West Coast)
Who administers it
Rata Foundation (formerly Canterbury Community Trust)
Who can apply
Charitable organisations and community groups in Canterbury and the West Coast. Rata Foundation is specifically regional — Canterbury and West Coast only.
What it funds
Community wellbeing programmes across a wide range of areas. Relevant to Ageing Well NZ readers in the Canterbury region: programmes supporting older people, social connection, transport, and community services.
Amounts available
Various grant sizes depending on the programme. Rata Foundation has multiple funding streams — check which is most relevant to your project.
How to apply
Apply through the Rata Foundation website. Multiple funding rounds throughout the year depending on the programme.
Website
Last verified
May 2026 — Canterbury/West Coast only
NZ Community Trust (multiple regions)
Who administers it
NZ Community Trust — operates across multiple regions including Otago, Southland, and others not covered by region-specific trusts
Who can apply
Registered charities and community organisations in the relevant geographic area.
What it funds
Community services and programmes including elder care support, social connection, and community wellbeing programmes.
Amounts available
Varies by programme and region.
How to apply
Apply through the relevant regional NZ Community Trust office. Check geographic coverage — different trusts cover different regions.
Website
Last verified
May 2026 — check regional coverage
Pub Charity
(gaming machine profits)
Registered charities and incorporated societies can apply.
Pub Charity funds a wide range of community organisations including those providing services for elderly people.
It funds operating costs, equipment, and programmes for community organisations. Has funded transport services, social programmes, and equipment for organisations serving older people.
Amount available varies — grants typically range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars depending on the project.
Apply online through the Pub Charity website pubcharity.org.nz
Applications assessed on a rolling basis.
Last verified: May 2026
Lion Foundation
One of NZ's largest gaming grant distributors (gaming machine profits).
Registered charities and incorporated societies can apply.
It funds a wide range of community services and programmes. Has funded community transport, social programmes, equipment, and facilities relevant to elder care organisations.
Amount available varies — up to tens of thousands of dollars for eligible projects.
Apply online through the Lion Foundation website lionfoundation.org.nz
Applications accepted on a rolling basis with regular assessment rounds.
Last verified: May 2026
Four Winds Foundation
(gaming machine profits)
Registered charities and community organisations in NZ can apply
It funds community benefit programmes. Has funded social and wellbeing programmes including those supporting older people.
Amount available varies.
Apply through the Four Winds Foundation website fourwinds.org.nz
Last verified: May 2026
Elder Care Funding for Specific Types of Services
This section covers funding pathways for organisations wanting to establish or expand specific types of elder care services.
Starting or expanding a community transport service
Community transport for elderly people is primarily funded through a combination of:
Health New Zealand contracting — for transport to medical appointments for eligible clients. Contact your regional Health NZ commissioning team.
Total Mobility Scheme — regional councils subsidise taxi and accessible transport fares. Contact your regional council about becoming an approved provider.
Lottery Community Fund — for operating costs of non-profit community transport services. Apply through communitymatters.govt.nz.
Gaming grants (Lion Foundation, Pub Charity, Four Winds) — for vehicles, equipment, and operating costs.
Local council community grants — most councils have community funding available for local transport services.
Starting or expanding a meals service
Meals on Wheels services in NZ are primarily government-contracted through Health New Zealand. New providers should:
Contact the regional Health New Zealand commissioning team to discuss whether there is capacity for a new contracted provider in the area.
For meals services not seeking government contracting — gaming grants (Pub Charity, Lion Foundation) can fund kitchen equipment and operating costs.
Lottery Community Fund can fund operating costs for non-profit meals services.
Local council grants may be available for community food initiatives.
Starting or expanding day activity programmes
Day activity and social programmes for elderly people can be funded through:
Office for Seniors Age Friendly Fund — specifically for community-led programmes encouraging older people's participation. $5,000-$15,000 per project.
Lottery Community Fund — operating costs, equipment, and activities for day programmes.
Health New Zealand — day programmes for people with assessed needs may be contractable. Contact your regional HNZ team.
Gaming grants — equipment, activities, and operating costs for day centres.
Selwyn Foundation — for innovative programmes supporting independent ageing.
Local council community grants — many councils fund day activities for elderly residents.
Starting a social or community group for older people
Informal social groups and community clubs for older people are among the most straightforward to fund:
Lottery Community Fund — small grants for community groups, including unregistered groups for amounts under $10,000.
Local council community grants — most councils actively fund social activities for older residents.
Age Concern regional offices — can sometimes provide small grants or in-kind support to new social groups.
Gaming grants — small operating costs for registered groups.
SuperGold Card partner discounts — encourage members to use their SuperGold Card for relevant discounts.
Home modifications and equipment
For individuals needing home modifications or equipment to remain safely at home:
Equipment and Modification Services (EMS) — government-funded through Health NZ. Referral from GP or occupational therapist required.
ACC — for modifications related to an injury.
Lottery Individuals with Disabilities Fund — for mobility equipment enabling community participation.
Whaikaha (Ministry of Disabled People) — for people with disabilities needing home modifications.
Finding Additional Elder Care Funding Sources
The sources listed above cover the most significant and widely applicable NZ funding for elder care. Additional sources worth exploring:
Generosity NZ / Philanthropy New Zealand
philanthropy.org.nz maintains a directory of NZ charitable trusts and foundations. Use their search to find funders relevant to your specific type of service and geographic area.
Your local council
Every NZ council has community grants — some specifically for older residents. Contact your local council's community development team and ask what funding is available for services supporting older people. Canterbury, Auckland, Wellington, and most other councils have dedicated community grant programmes.
Community Waikato / Volunteer Centres
Regional volunteer centres and community resource centres often maintain local funding databases that are more current than national directories. Search for your regional community resource centre.
Funders' Information Service
Some regions have dedicated funders' information services that maintain databases of available grants. Contact your regional community foundation for advice on local funding.
For Maori organisations
Te Puni Kokiri (Ministry for Maori Development) administers specific funding for Maori community services including some relevant to kaumatua and older Maori. tepunikokiri.govt.nz
For Pacific organisations
The Office for Pacific Peoples administers funding relevant to Pacific community services. dia.govt.nz/pacific
SUGGEST A FUNDING SOURCE
If you know of a NZ funding source relevant to elder care that isn't listed here, please get in touch. We update this directory regularly and want it to be as complete as possible.
Last review of this directory: May 2026. Individual entries show their own last-verified dates.