The purpose of this fund is to assist community groups with emergency or unforeseen situations. Applications will support community-focused projects that contribute to the strengthening of community wellbeing in the Christchurch city area.

Apply to the Discretionary Response Fund

Please check the eligibility of your project before applying. If you require assistance, please contact communitygrants@ccc.govt.nz or any of the community board governance teams(external link).

To assist community groups where the project and funding request falls outside other Council funding criteria and/or closing dates. This fund is also for emergency funding for unforeseen situations. 

This fund operates differently at the citywide and local level.

Applications to local Community Board Discretionary Response Funds are open from 1 July each year.

Citywide applications are open from mid-August until 30 June each year.  However, once the annual allocation of funds is exhausted, the fund will be closed.

The funding period is for 12 months after the date of the grant approval letter.

Applications can be for operational or project costs, incurred in the provision and delivery of the agreed initiative. 

This fund will not cover:

  • Debt servicing or re-financing costs.
  • Stock or capital market investment.
  • Gambling or prize money
  • Funding of individuals (some exceptions allowed where sub-streams of this fund identify this in their criteria e.g. Youth Development Fund)
  • Activities or initiatives where the primary purpose is to promote religious ministry, political objectives or commercial interests.
  • Payment of fines, court costs, IRD penalties or retrospective tax payment.
  • Projects or initiatives that will lead to ongoing operational costs to the Council.

Community Boards

In addition to the above criteria, Community Boards can grant funds to any group or person for any purpose, except:

  • Activities or initiatives where the primary purpose is to promote religious ministry, political objectives or commercial interests.
  • Projects or initiatives that will lead to ongoing operational costs to the Council.
  • Debt servicing or re-financing costs.
  • Stock or capital market investment.
  • Gambling or prize money.
  • Payment of fines, court costs, or mediation costs.
  • Payment for IRD penalties or retrospective tax payment. 

  • Funding received is to be spent 12 months from the date on the grant approval letter.
  • Any alterations to the use of the funding must be discussed with council staff and agreed to or funding may be required to be returned.
  • A community grant funding report must be completed when funding is spent or 13 months after the money was granted. Reporting is now through the SmartyGrants system. If you have not yet registered, please go to ccc.smartygrants.com.au(external link).  Once registered, you should be able to see your submission.  If not, contact communitygrants@ccc.govt.nz.
  • Future funding can be withheld if accountability requirements are not met.