Momentum Waikato is focused on helping Waikato-based community organisations who have bold ambitions and/or a track record of making a transformational impact in our region.
Specifically this means initiatives in the local authority areas of Hamilton City, Waikato District, Thames-Coromandel District, Hauraki District, Matamata-Piako District, Waipa District, South Waikato District, Otorohanga District, and/or Waitomo District – see Local Government boundary map.
Technically we can distribute funds to anywhere in New Zealand, however we will normally only make grants to individuals or to non-Waikato organisations where either our donors direct us to do so, or where a project or initiative driven from elsewhere will have a significant impact in the Waikato.
Grants are available to organisations that are either:
A registered charitable trust or company
A registered incorporated society
An education institution
A social enterprise
Organisations should have a governing document (such as a constitution, rules, memorandum and articles of association) and a bank account in the organisation’s name with at least two independent signatories.
Grants will not normally be available to support day-to-day operating costs.
We will not fund requests to support:
Contributions to general appeals or circulars
Religious activity which is not for wider public benefit
Public bodies to carry out their statutory obligations
Activities which have already taken place
Grant making by other organisations
Momentum Waikato uses a two-stage process in its grant decision-making.
Stage 1 - Expression of Interest
In the first stage, change-makers are asked to submit a brief Expression of Interest (EOI) that covers just five pieces of information, as per below.
1. A short statement of the specific challenge or aspiration that the initiative is seeking to address. (250 words)
2. Clear statement of the outcomes the initiative is focused on achieving and the potential impact it will have, as well as how these will be measured or demonstrated. (250 words)
3. The background to the initiative, briefly describing the research or best/promising practices that inform the proposed work. (200 words)4.
4. A brief outline of the proposed work programme (key steps, milestones, timelines) to address the challenge or aspiration. (200 words)
5. The proposed governance and management structures for the initiative, along with brief bios of the key management personnel. (150 words)
We are well aware of the time and effort that organisations put in to complete comprehensive grant applications, when only a few will be successful. The idea of the EOI is to enable Momentum Waikato to identify the few best initiatives - likely to be a maximum of ten - that will receive a Request for Proposal (RFP) to progress to the second stage.
Stage 2 - Request for Proposals
Shortlisted change-makers will be asked to respond to an RFP which will require them to significantly expand on their EOI with a fully formed business plan.
Momentum Waikato expects to fund up to three initiatives at the end of the RFP stage and will draw on the knowledge and experience of a panel of experts to support its trustees in the decision-making process.