JBS Dudding Trust 2026 - Contestable

JBS Dudding Trust

2026 Contestable Grant Round – Applicant Information

Please read the information below carefully before starting your online application. We encourage all applicants to review the full details, as some information has changed since the previous grant round.

About the Trust

The JBS Dudding Trust was established in 1963 by local farmer and investor John Beresford Swan Dudding and has been managed by Public Trust since its inception. The Trust supports charitable organisations across New Zealand, with a particular focus on communities within the Rangitīkei region.

John Dudding understood the challenges faced by rural communities, particularly during times of economic uncertainty. Through the Trust, he sought to support organisations, schools and rural facilities that contribute to the resilience and wellbeing of the wider community.

The JBS Dudding Trust is a Registered Charity under the Charities Act 2005 (Registration No. CC27320).

Grant Round Dates

• Applications open: 9.00am, Monday 4 May 2026
• Applications close: 5.00pm, Friday 3 July 2026

Late applications cannot be accepted.

Applicants will be advised of the outcome by 11 December 2026 (please note this date is indicative and subject to change). Notifications will be sent via SmartyGrants to the email address used in the application.

Who Can Apply?

Applications are welcome from:

• Organisations registered with Charities Services; or
• Organisations registered as an Incorporated Society, or
• An Early Childhood Centre or Registered School.

Applicants must be based in, or primarily support people within, the Rangitīkei District Council boundary.

Applicants are encouraged to review the Funding Region and Eligibility Criteria on the Public Trust website to confirm eligibility before applying.

Please note: only one application per organisation or school will be considered.

Grant Categories and Funding Available

Funding is available across three contestable grant categories, exclusive of GST. Applications must fall within the relevant funding range.

General Grant

$5,000 – $20,000
For equipment purchases or replacements, operating costs, and other non-capital expenses that support the Rangitīkei region.

Impact Grant

$5,000 – $50,000
For salaries, projects or programmes that deliver clear benefits to the Rangitīkei community.

Community Development Grant

$50,000 – $300,000
For capital projects that establish, expand or preserve community and environmental assets within the region.

Applicants planning outdoor projects or events are asked to include quotes that outline any relevant terms and conditions, including those relating to weather-related cancellations.

How Applications Are Assessed

Applications are considered at the Trust’s Annual Board Meeting. The Trustee makes funding decisions, informed by advice from Advisory Board members.

All decisions are final. While we are unable to provide individual feedback or enter into further discussion regarding outcomes, decisions are based on the information provided in the application and supporting documents.

In some cases, funding may be approved subject to conditions. Where this occurs, funds are generally released once conditions have been met.

When an Application May Not Be Considered

Applications may be declined without assessment if they:

• Are incomplete or submitted after the closing date
• Request retrospective funding
• Do not meet accountability requirements from the previous year funding round
• Are from individuals, sports organisations, or service clubs
• Request funding for activities outside New Zealand
• Are not based in, or supporting people within, the Rangitīkei region (Rangitikei District Council map)
• Do not align with one of the three grant categories
• Include financial statements that do not meet Charities Services reporting standards

Applicants who received funding in the 2025 round must have met all receipt and reporting requirements (or have made alternative arrangements with Public Trust) to be eligible for this round.

How to Apply

Applications are completed online through Public Trust’s grant system, SmartyGrants.

Step 1: Check Eligibility

Review the Funding Region & Eligibility Criteria and contact Public Trust if you are unsure whether your organisation or school is eligible.

Step 2: Register or Log In

First-time users will need to register. Your login can be used for future applications to other Public Trust–managed grants.

Step 3: Complete the Application

• Use a non‑mobile device where possible
• Answer all required questions (marked with an *)
• Upload all supporting documents (PDF, Word, Excel or JPG; maximum total size 25MB)

You can save your application and return to it later.

Step 4: Review and Submit

Please review your application carefully before submitting. Once submitted, changes or additional uploads cannot be made.

Step 5: Confirmation and Assessment

You will receive an automated confirmation email once your application has been successfully submitted. If you do not receive this email, please check your spam folder.

Contact Us

For general enquiries about the Trust or your eligibility:
Email: funding@publictrust.co.nz
Phone: 0800 371 471 (Charitable Trust Team)

For technical assistance with SmartyGrants:
Email: service@smartygrants.com.au

Smarty Grants Help Guide for Applicants 

Smarty Grants Applicant FAQ's

Further information about the JBS Dudding Trust is available on the Public Trust website: JBS Dudding Trust