O’Donnell Grants 2025
IMPORTANT: Please read information below to assist you in completing your application online.
Applicants should carefully consider the criteria which may be varied from time to time.
The O’Donnell Trust Fund was established through the Estate of Mrs O’Donnell. Her wish was to give back and offer musicians, ballet dancers and singers from Palmerston North, an opportunity to continue to build on their talents both within New Zealand and overseas (including travel and accommodation expenses). The late Mrs O’Donnell enjoyed the performing arts and was passionate about providing education options to those with such talent within the wider Palmerston North community.
The Trust provides Scholarships to assist students in achieving their goals and in obtaining a professional qualification in their chosen performing arts field and to assist with their long term career goals.
Who is eligible: Applications must be from individuals only and the Scholarships will only be awarded to suitable applicant/s.
Applicants must be New Zealand born or naturalised citizens. They must also be a permanent resident within 30kms of The Square in Palmerston North. This area includes the bordering place names of Bulls, Halcombe, Kiwitea, Pohangina, Papatawa, Mangatainoka, Pahiatua, Shannon, Himatangi. See map on the link: https://www.publictrust.co.nz/grants/how-do-i-find-one/grants/odonnell-trust-fund
The course of study must be for a minimum of one academic year and be considered a full-time course.
‘Student’ is defined as a person who is studying at a university or other place of higher education or a high-school student who is intending to study at a university or other place of higher education.
Applicants must be intending to advance their education of music, ballet or singing by undertaking study with an appropriate University, Polytechnic, School or Academy in New Zealand or overseas the year proceeding the grant round.
Applicants will need to demonstrate outstanding music, ballet or singing talent in New Zealand.
How much funding is available: Up to twelve Scholarships will be awarded. Scholarships will be awarded between $5,000 and $10,000 per year for up to 3 years.
What can the Scholarship be used for: Scholarships must be applied towards your study fees at your chosen tertiary education provider, (including course fees and Halls of Residence fees) or other expenses relating to your study (including Student Loan, laptop, stationery, travel, books, study expenses etc.). It is the preference of the Trustee to have payments made to a provider rather than an individual.
The Scholarship is conditional on you being enrolled at the education provider in a course of study as outlined in your application. The Scholarship cannot be used towards the purchase of a car or cell phone.
How to apply: The application form can be accessed via Public Trust’s website and is to be completed and submitted via the Smarty Grants portal.
A certified copy of your Birth Certificate or Citizenship Certificate is required. A certified copy is a photocopy that has been stamped or endorsed by a person who confirms that the copy is a true copy of the original document. This person could be one of the following: Justice of the Peace, Solicitor of the High Court, Notary Public (there may be a cost), Deputy Registrar at a Court (not all courts will be able to certify copies) or Trustee from a Public Trust Customer Centre.
Proof of your residential address is required.
The application is to be supported by specific documents including: a CV, two references, a cover letter and a link to a solo-performance video.
An overview of your course of study and / or project, future career and occupation aspirations must be provided.
Your financial position including income, expenses and any other Grants or Scholarships applied for or received must be provided.
A brief description of your circumstances is to be included.
Applicants must also include a proposal on how you intend to apply the Scholarship funds. This must clearly outline what costs you are specifically applying for and provide details of your proposed course of study along with any associated costs. (Such as timeframes, location and outcomes including an itemised budget).
Scholarship Terms and Conditions
Public Trust is the Trustee for the O’Donnell Trust Fund (The Trust). The following terms and conditions are applicable to all applications and may be varied from time to time by Public Trust.
Important dates
Applications open on 1 August 2025 at 9am and close on 30 September 2025 at 5pm.
Applicants will be advised of the outcome by 5 December 2025 unless advised prior of a change of date.
Late applications will not be accepted.
The applicant acknowledges that the information supplied in the application may be made available to other parties in the course of enquiries regarding applications or in publishing the result of the Scholarship. Personal information collected will be held by Public Trust for the purpose of assessing applications for the O’Donnell Trust Fund Scholarships. Individuals have the right of access to, and correction of personal information held about them.
Contact us: Any questions should be directed to Public Trust by emailing the Charities Team at funding@publictrust.co.nz.
IMPORTANT: Please read information below to assist you in completing your application online.
Step 1: Determine eligibility
Please ensure you have read the criteria of the Trust.
If you are unsure of your eligibility in applying please contact Public Trust at funding@publictrust.co.nz
Step 2: Register and login to apply online
First time users will need to register.
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 the required questions – mandatory questions are marked with an *
Attach all required supporting documents.
All attachments must be attached as PDF, Excel or WORD format.
Supporting materials cannot exceed 25MB in size, as 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).
Remember to submit your application.
Note: Once you have submitted your application no further editing or uploading of supporting documents is 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 address 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.
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 encounter any technical difficulties using the online SmartyGrants portal email service@smartygrants.com.au
