Lion Foundation Grant

Who can apply

• Verbatim: "In order to be eligible for a grant your organisation must be incorporated (e.g. under the Incorporated Societies Act, Charitable Trusts Act or Act of Parliament)."
• Verbatim: "Only not-for-profit organisations may apply, e.g. any society, association or organisation that is incorporated and legally constituted, whose rules do not allow money, property or any other benefits to be distributed to any of its members."
• Verbatim: "Organisations that wish to apply for funding should have been incorporated for at least one complete financial year."
• Verbatim: "TLF will only fund organisations that are wholly income tax exempt. Applicants must therefore provide a: Charities Service Registration number; or Suitable proof of IRD Income Exemption." Accepted proof: "IRD Income Tax Exemption letter; or Screenshot of the IRD MyIR page(s) of the club where the exemption is listed; or An organisation's audited financials notes may also clarify the organisations Income Tax status; or A letter from your Chartered Accountant (on letterhead and no older than 60 days) confirming the Income Tax status."
• Verbatim: "Schools and local authorities/local councils are not required to provide these documents."
• Organisations incorporated by Act of Parliament may apply, verbatim: "Some organisations are incorporated through Acts of Parliament, e.g. Fire Service, Anglican Church, MOTAT. Applicants are to provide details of enabling legislation (e.g. Anglican Church Trust Act 1981)."
• Marae, verbatim: "If your organisation is a Marae, please provide the Gazette Notice or Vesting Order. This will cover incorporation. The Marae will also need to have Charities Services registration."
• A Branch may apply under an Umbrella/Parent/Governance organisation with a governance letter, verbatim: "An Umbrella/Parent/Governance organisation is an organisation that supports one of its Branches to apply for funding. The Branch would otherwise not meet the criteria for funding by TLF."
• Geography gate, verbatim: "TLF will generally only distribute funding to areas where TLF has a Gaming Venue. These areas are typically defined by Territorial Local Authority (TLA) boundaries or in some cases the local area or district in which the venue is located", "The general principle applied by TLF's NPC is that organisations should be located within a 5km radius of a venue."

What it funds

• Capital expenditure, gear, equipment and assets
• Operating expenditure, the costs of running your organisation
• Wages and salaries, against the funder's own evidence rules

The questions on the form

We hold the funder's actual form. Here are the first 3 of 73.

1. New Grant Application (wizard overview)To apply for a Grant the wizard below will take you through the following sections: 1. Select or register the organisation the grant is for 2. Complete the grant application form in full 3. Upload quotes and enter cost estimates 4. Upload supporting documents (e.g. board approval, financial statements) 5. Enter the contact details of a second signatory (this will create them an account also) and they can login and view your application 6. Sign and approve the grant 7. Second signatory signs to approve the grant
2. Search Existing AccountsEnter organisation name or charity number
3. Account InformationAccount Name

Documents to have ready

• Cover letter, portal upload tab "Cover letter and/or other information". Verbatim: "Tell us a bit about your organisation and what you do, but more importantly about the grant. Why do you need it? What is the benefit to the community if you get this grant? Keep it brief, one page is all we need."
• Resolution, portal tab "Resolution". Verbatim: "Show proof your board has approved this application by way of minutes from the meeting where is was discussed or a resolution signed by a board member." Must be no older than 6 months. Template: https://cdn.lionfoundation.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/05200607/Resolution-Template.docx
• Application Declaration on the organisation's letterhead, signed by the Secretary (or executive member) and another executive member. Template: https://cdn.lionfoundation.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/05200607/Application-Declaration-.docx