Helen Graham Charitable Trust 2025 (in conjunction with the Thomas Bevan Family Charitable Trust)

This round will open at 9:00AM 15 September 2025 (NZST) for submissions.

The Helen Graham Charitable Trust 2023 Grant Round

(In conjunction with The Thomas Bevan Family Charitable Trust)

IMPORTANT: Please read the information below to assist you in completing your application online. Applicants should carefully consider the criteria, which may be varied from time to time.

Applications are open from 9:00am on 15 September 2025 until 5:00pm on 31 October 2025.

Eligibility

Applications are open to organisations (registered with Charities Services or incorporated societies) situated in, or providing services within, the area bordered by the Horowhenua District Council boundaries to the North, East, and West, and by the Ōtaki River to the South.

Applications will not be accepted from: 

  • Organisations based outside the specified funding area
  • Schools
  • Individuals
  • Sports organisations
  • Service clubs
  • Applications for capital expenditure

Funding Amounts

  • Minimum funding $2,000
  • Maximum funding $5,000

What does the Trust fund? 

The Trust considers applications for the following purposes:

  • Education – Particular consideration is given to educational research connected with agriculture.
  • Medical Research
  • Support for the Physically Disabled – Including accident victims, physically immobilised persons, and people disadvantaged by loss of sight or hearing.
  • Charitable Purposes Beneficial to the Community

Applications to the Helen Graham Charitable Trust may also be considered for funding from the Thomas Bevan Family Charitable Trust, which supports:

  • Religious and charitable purposes of various churches in the Horowhenua District (including, but not limited to, the spiritual welfare of children)
  • General charitable purposes within the Horowhenua District

Preference is given to organisations that are self-supporting and not solely reliant on either Trust.

What is not funded?

  • Capital expenses
  • Commercial ventures
  • Contributions to capital funds (e.g., foundations, endowments)
  • Overseas travel
  • Earthquake or asbestos repairs

Decision-Making Process

All applications are considered by the Trustee and Advisory Panel in December 2025.
It is important that all details on the application form are concise and easy to read. Decisions are based on the information provided in the application and other general enquiries.

Grants may be approved subject to conditions. In such cases, funds will be held until conditions are met. The Trustee’s decision is final and no further correspondence will be entered into.

Applications will NOT be considered if:

  • Submitted late or incomplete
  • Retrospective funding is requested
  • 2023 accountability requirements are unmet (e.g., no receipt uploaded to SmartyGrants or no alternative arrangements made)
  • Submitted by individuals, sports organisations, or service clubs
  • Funding is requested for overseas projects
  • Organisation is not based in or supporting people within the Trust’s funding region
  • Funding requested is below $2,000 or above $5,000
  • Application form is not completed in full

More information

Details about the Helen Graham Charitable Trust and the Thomas Bevan Family Charitable Trust can be found here

Important dates

  • Applications open: 9:00 AM, 15 September 2025
  • Applications close: 5:00 PM, 31 October 2025
  • Outcome notification: By 22 December 2025 (subject to change).

Late applications will not be accepted.

Contact us: 

Any questions should be directed to the Public Trust Charities Team by email to funding@publictrust.co.nz or phone the Charities Team on 0800 371 471.

IMPORTANT: Please read information below to assist you in completing your application online.

Step 1: Determine eligibility

  • Please ensure you have read the Trust’s Funding Eligibility Criteria on Public Trusts website.
  • If you are unsure if your organisation is eligible to apply or of the suitability of your funding request please contact the Public Trust Charities Team on 0800 371 471 or funding@publictrust.co.nz

Step 2: Register or login to apply online

  • First time users will need to register.

Hint: you will need an email address to register.  If your organisation has a ‘generic’ email (e.g. info@organisation.org) using this may allow other staff members to use the same login in future (as long as they know the password).

Your login can be used for any charitable trust managed by Public Trust granting via Smarty Grants and can be used in future grant rounds.

Note: Please store your login details in a safe place for future reference.

  • Once registered, you can login to the system and start your application.

Step 3: Complete your Application

  • The application is best viewed/completed on a non-mobile device.
  • Complete all of the required questions – mandatory questions are marked with an *
  • Attach all required supporting documents (Full applications only can be accepted).

Note: Our preferred format for attachments is PDF, Excel or Word.  Supporting materials cannot exceed 25MB in size. Files exceeding this will not upload.

Hint: Save your work regularly so it is not lost if you time out or lose your connection.

You can save your application at any stage and return to it later.

Make sure the spell checker is switched on in your browser to prevent spelling errors.

Step 4: Review and submit your Application

  • When you are satisfied with your application, press the review button to ensure that all required sections of the application have been completed (you must do this before the submit button is enabled).
  • Check you have uploaded all supporting documents.
  • Submit your application.

 Note: Once you have submitted your application no further editing or uploading of supporting documents will be possible.

Step 5: What happens next?

  • You will receive an automated email confirming your submission with a copy of your application attached and information about how/when your Application will be assessed.  This will be sent to the email you used to register.

If you do not receive a confirmation email then your Application has not been successfully submitted (remember to check your spam email folder when looking for the email).

  • We will contact you if we require any further information to consider your Application.
  • We will contact you after the Trustee and Advisory Panel meeting has been held to consider the Applications either successful/unsuccessful.

If you need more help using this form, download the Help Guide for Applicants or check out Applicant Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

If you have any technical difficulties using the online Smarty Grants portal email service@smartygrants.com.au