Taranaki Foundation is pleased to announce the allocation of $263,433 in grants to 71 organisations and individuals across the region through its 2025 funding round. This includes over $253,000 in contestable and donor-directed grants supporting initiatives in areas such as stronger communities, food resilience, health and wellbeing, children and youth, family support, disability services, and environmental education, as well as $9,250 in scholarship grants for individuals.

The Foundation received 105 applications this year, including 35 from first-time applicants, which is the highest number of applications and total funding requested to date. While we were able to support or partially support nearly 70% of applicants, we recognise that many worthy applications could not be funded.

Ainsley Luscombe, Chair of the Distribution Committee, shared “Taranaki is home to many incredible organisations making a real difference in our community. We are honoured to channel donor generosity to support their important work. This year marks the largest annual contribution in our 10-year history. It is a testament to what is possible when generous locals come together to support their communities.  Every grant given out helps local organisations deliver practical, meaningful support across the region.”

Focus Areas for 2025
Grants this year concentrated on initiatives that strengthen community connections and support children, youth, families, and wellbeing. Highlights included food resilience projects and foodbanks, youth programmes, disability support, and initiatives promoting community connection and environmental awareness.

Images Above: Waitara Foodbank Pataka Kai

Thanks to the growth of our Central and South Taranaki Funds, $87,450 in grants were directed to support projects making a real difference locally in these areas as well as initiatives delivering impact across the wider region.

This year, several new donor funds distributed grants for the first time, including the Hāwera Rotary Fund, Dot & Bill Spence Fund, South Taranaki Projects Fund, and Debbie McCallum Fund.

Stories of Impact

The 2025 grants supported a wide range of community initiatives across Taranaki. Through the Dot & Bill Spence Fund, Te Hōkai Mua, a kaupapa Māori youth programme in Waitara, received funding to continue providing after-school mentoring, recreation, kai, and a safe space for tamariki and rangatahi.

Images Above (including hero image for this story):  Hōkai Mua Youth Group, Waitara 

Through our role as Local Donation Manager for the Tindall Foundation, the Foundation distributed $58,063 to 13 local initiatives focused on family and whānau wellbeing. This included Tautoko Tāne Taranaki, which received $6,000 to deliver wellbeing groups for male survivors of sexual abuse, combining cycling and walking activities with holistic programmes to reduce stigma, foster social connection, and reconnect men with their whānau and community.

Images Above: Roderique Hope Trust and Te Rau o Rongo Charitable Trust are community organisations that also received funding through the Tindall Foundation.

Among the 35 first-time applicants was Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Trust in New Plymouth. The Trust supports over 300 grandparents caring for more than 500 tamariki, providing peer support, advocacy, and guidance to navigate challenges such as trauma, financial stress, and family court processes. With a $5,000 grant, the Trust will expand its reach, strengthen service delivery, and reduce isolation, helping grandparent-led families thrive.

Other grants supported environmental education programmes such as Experiencing Marine Reserves and Kororā Kōrero, and organisations supporting people experiencing addiction. Food security remained a key focus, with funding helping local foodbanks and community organisations cover operational costs and reach more whānau in need.

Theresa Cayley, Funding and Relationships Manager at Taranaki Foundation, reflected “this year’s funding round shows both the growing need in our communities and the generosity of our donors. Every grant, no matter the size, is directed to help our community thrive, from wellbeing programmes to foodbanks, from youth initiatives to support for older people. It’s about practical, meaningful impact that reaches right where it’s needed.”

Meeting Growing Community Need and Building Capacity 

The 2025 funding round saw both the number of applications and the total funding requested reach record highs, reflecting increasing demand across the region. While just over half of requests could be met, every grant awarded makes a tangible difference. Many grassroots organisations continue to face rising demand, limited revenue, and growing operational costs, making donor support through the Foundation essential.

At the same time, this round represents the largest annual distribution in the Foundation’s 10-year history. The addition of new donor funds, along with the growth of established funds, is enabling long-term, reliable support for local causes while continuing to honour donor priorities for community, youth, family, and wellbeing.

Images above: Horses Helping Humans Taranaki,Hōiho Hāpai Hapori, received funding in our 2025 funding round. View the full list of grant recipients via the link further below.

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate the successes of 2025, Taranaki Foundation remains committed to sustaining generosity and delivering practical, meaningful support across the region. We are grateful to our donors for their trust and generosity and look forward to continuing this work to build a healthier, stronger, and more connected Taranaki.

For the full list of 2025 grant recipients, please see our 2025 Grant Recipients