Who can apply

Community-led organisations such as iwi, hapū, whānau, community conservation groups, and NGOs can apply. Government departments and territorial authorities are not eligible.

To be eligible to apply, projects must:

• focus on protecting and restoring threatened species and/or threatened ecosystems
• have support from iwi, hapū or whānau
• seek a minimum of $150,000 for up to 3 years
• include a minimum contribution of 50% of in-kind and/or co-funding.

Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee funding.

The DOC Community Fund is a contestable fund and is historically highly oversubscribed. Demand often exceeds funding available with less than 7% of projects who applied in the last round being funded (20 out of 291 applications).

Successful applications 2025: DOC Community Fund

Application process

Applications must be made using an online form in Enquire. Late submissions cannot be accepted once the online form has closed and no offline applications will be accepted at any stage of the process.

Key aspects applicants will need to address through their application include, but are not limited to:

• describing how the activities of the project will protect and restore the target threatened species/ecosystem
• demonstrating engagement with iwi, hapū, or whānau and how the project will enable them to act as rangatira and kaitiaki
• providing a project budget that includes co-funding and in-kind contributions (eg volunteer contributions).

Summary of the information likely to be sought from applicants (PDF, 196K)

Assessment

Eligible applications will be assessed on the following criteria:

• Benefits for the target threatened species/ecosystems and wider conservation benefits. Applicants must identify the key species or ecosystem their project is targeting. Applications will be assessed on the benefits for the target species/ecosystem. Considerations include the importance of the site, threat status, other threatened species/ecosystems the project is benefitting, feasibility of the methodology proposed, and the impact of the proposed activities.
• Project readiness, capacity and capability to deliver the project successfully and on time. Projects will be assessed on their ability to deliver (capability and capacity), and readiness to start (having all necessary authorisations and systems in place).
• Sustaining biodiversity benefits beyond the funding period. Projects providing a higher level of confidence biodiversity gains will be sustained beyond the funding period, including how they intend to fund any ongoing costs, are more likely to be successful.
• How the project will enable iwi/hapū/whānau to act as rangatira and kaitiaki. Projects enabling iwi/hapū/whānau rangatiratanga and kaitiakitanga are more likely to be successful.
• Iwi/hapū/whānau input into and support for the proposed activities. Projects will be assessed on the level of support received from iwi, hapū or whānau. We recommend engaging early with iwi/hapū/whānau as a proof of support for the project (letter, email) will be required as part of the application process.
• Level of contribution towards the project (in-kind and/or co-funding). Projects will be assessed against their level of co-funding or in-kind contribution and must bring at least 50% of the total DOC Community Fund amount requested. For example, if $200,000 of funding is requested, you must contribute at least $100,000 of co-funding and/or value in-kind (eg volunteer hours, expertise, use of equipment, supplies). In-kind contributions for equipment and supplies should be calculated at reasonable, market-based rates. Recommended rates for volunteer time are: General labour – living wage; Coordinator – $35–50/hr; Manager – $50–55/hr; Professional services – market rate. 
• Community engagement and collaboration. Assessment includes the level of existing collaboration and how you plan to increase engagement with the local community.

Applications are limited to one per organisation or group. Applicants currently receiving funding through the DOC Community Fund are unlikely to be successful.

Getting ready ahead of the opening of the round

To help with the completion of your application within the timeframes set, we recommend you:

• engage early with your local iwi, hapū or whānau to seek support for your project and proof of this
• secure co-funding/in-kind contributions for your project
• find out what permits and permissions will be required for your project and ensure you can secure them by the time funding decision are made (July 2026).

Apply for a permission

Next steps

31 March 2026 – Fund opens for applications (online portal)

5 pm on 30 April 2026 - Applications close

May/June 2026 – Assessment of applications

July/August 2026 – Funding decisions made

Useful information

• DOC Community Fund – Round 9 information sheet (PDF, 545K)
• You can find the conservation status of a species by searching the New Zealand Threat Classification System
• List of threatened ecosystems (PDF, 273K)

Contact

If you would like to keep up to date with the Fund, please join our mailing list. To join email doccf@doc.govt.nz with ‘subscribe’ in the subject line.

If you have any questions about the DOC Community Fund, contact the Funds Team:

Email: doccf@doc.govt.nz
Phone: 0800 86 20 20