This fund consists of two rounds per annum. Only one project per successful applicant will be funded each year.
As well as the DCC grants funding general criteria the following criteria apply.
Groups or Organisations eligible to apply must:
- Seek to achieve the objectives of the Ara Toi Ōtepoti – Our Creative Future Dunedin Arts and Culture Strategy.
- Be well established in their primary activity of arts and cultural development in Dunedin, or be a well established group or organisation with demonstrated knowledge of how the project or initiative will contribute to arts and cultural development in Dunedin.
- Have a significant level of community interaction.
- Be a non-profit legal entity.
Projects or initiatives which can be funded must:
- Demonstrate clear benefits for the community.
- Promote and advance arts and cultural development in Dunedin, and increase awareness of and participation in arts and creative cultural activity.
- Be new initiatives, not part of the group's usual activities or programmes except for special circumstances.
- Support and encourage local involvement or content.
- Projects will not be funded if they consist of:
- Facility upgrading or maintenance, or ongoing administration costs not related to a specific project.
- Projects, programmes or activities which are part of a normal schedule or plan.
- International exchanges, national conferences, or tours outside of Dunedin.
- Part of the regular activities of an educational institution.
Review - Clarity in regard to Grants Policies and Food
In February 2025 a review was undertaken, to provide clarity for Dunedin City Council (DCC) staff and Councillors about whether food costs can be supported through the DCC’s contestable grants funds.
Recommendations
Following the findings of this review, that:
a) The DCC’s Grants Funding General Criteria is amended to include a reference/criteria to “food”, “catering”, and “alcohol”, and which is consistent with the criteria for individual grants;
b) Publicly available information about the DCC’s Small Project Grants is amended to include the line “Food is excluded for Small Project Grants only. This restriction does not apply to other DCC grant types which have their own criteria”.
Memo - Community Partnerships Clarity On Grants Policies and Food