The following are some potential funding grants available for individuals or groups seeking to undertake an expedition in New Zealand or overseas.
AMP achiever award
http://www.amp.co.nz/about-amp/amp-scholarship-programme/
Aims to support talented Kiwis by encouraging and assisting them to achieve their goals and do their thing.
Australian Geographic Society
http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/society/nancy-bird-walton-sponsorship.htm
Open to Australian women planning to undertake an adventurous pursuit.
British Mountaineering Council
www.bmc.org.uk
For those that have a British passport or be climbing with a British citizen, you may benefit from a BMC grant. These are around £400. Applications are accepted twice a year. Application form on the website.
Directory of potential funding sources
http://www.sportnz.org.nz/en-nz/funding/Directory-of-Potential-Funding-Sources/Start-search-from-beginning/
Provides a list of potential funding sources throughout New Zealand.
Film New Zealand
http://www.filmnz.com/production-guide/incentives/screen-production-incentive-fund.html
The Fund provides a grant (SPIF grant or the Grant) to eligible New Zealand feature film, television and other format screen productions deemed to have significant New Zealand content.
Fundbreak
http://www.pozible.com.au/
Offers creative individuals, groups and organisations the opportunity to raise funds through pre-selling tangible & intangible rewards by posting a project on the pozible.com. Each project has a funding goal & a time limit (from 1 - 90 days) set by the project creator. During this time the project creator spreads the word about the idea to their fans, friends, family, strangers and sponsors. Supporters simply register and help fund the project.
Gaming Trust
http://www.pelorustrust.net.nz/
A number of trusts that may be of assistance.
Hans Saari Memorial Fund Exploration Grant
www.hansfund.org
This grant supports innovative ski mountaineering expeditions with technical goals in alpine terrain. Special consideration is given to expeditions to unclimbed, unexplored regions. Up to three grants are awarded per year. Applications are accepted once a year. The amount is US15000. Application form on the website.
International Polartec Challenge
www.polartec.com
Offered by Polartec (fabrics) this grant assists low impact teams from around the world that supports the spirit and practice of outdoor adventure. Grants are around US$5000. Applications are accepted once a year. Application form on the website. Contact Ruthann Brown: brownr@maldenmills.com
Maxs Foundations
http://www.maxfoundation.co.nz/
Supports women (or groups of women) whose actions enhance the wellbeing and advancement of New Zealand women.
Mazamas Expedition Grants
www.mazamas.org/adventure
The goal of these grants is to develop the physical and mental abilities of climbers through expedition training. Mazamas is a club, but the organisation will support non members for possible contribution to the sport of climbing. The deadline is ongoing and the amount is variable. Application form on the website.
Mt Everest Foundation (British Fund)
http://www.mef.org.uk/
Available to British & New Zealand climbers who are attempting first ascents or new routes in the Greater Ranges, Alaska and South America. The expedition must have a strong exploratory component. Applications are accepted twice a year. After the expedition a preliminary report is required, followed by an intensive report within three months. The amount of the grants has gone up recently, and can be as much as British £2000.
National Geographic Expeditions Council Grant
www.nationalgeographic.com
These grants are offered by National Geographic to fund exploration and adventure around the world. To get one of these you would have to put in a very strong application with a ‘compelling story.’ The deadline is ongoing and the amounts range from US$5000 to $US35,000. Application form on the website.
NZ Alpine Club
http://alpineclub.org.nz/climb/expedition-fund
Available to anyone who’s a member of the NZAC and looking to go on an overseas expedition. Applications are considered twice yearly. Grants range from $300 to $3000. Ideas regarding choosing an objective can also be found at http://alpineclub.org.nz/climb/overseas.
NZ Ambassadors
Has a discretionary $5,000 fund available
NZ Community Trust
http://www.nzct.org.nz/
Funds a variety of projects
Nick Escourt Award
www.nickescourtaward.org.nz
This award goes to one elite expedition every year, and “expeditions to easily accessible areas or those with ill-defined objectives” are unlikely to be accessible. It’s unlikely a New Zealand Expedition will win this award any time in the near future but there is no harm in putting in an application, for the practice. The amounts are around British £1000. Applications are accepted once a year. Application form on the website.
Shipton/Tilman Grant
http://www.gore.com/en_xx/news/2010shiptontilman.html
These are offered by WL Gore and Associates, as a tribute to Eric Shipton and Bill Tilman and the spirit of adventure they embodied. The grant provides US$30,000/year to be divided amongst three to six expeditions from any part of the world, who plan to accomplish their feat in a self-propelled environmentally sound way. Exploration and new routing is a big part of this award. Applications are accepted every eighteen months. Application form on the web site or write to: WL Gore and Associates Inc, 295 Blue Ball Road, Elkton, MD 21921
Sony NZ Com
http://www.sony.co.nz/article/360245/section/applysponsorship
Sponsors groups and individuals who share their passion for enriching lives through excellence, creativity and innovation.
Sport New Zealand Hillary Expedition Fund
http://www.sportnz.org.nz/en-nz/recreation/Hillary-Expedition/
SPARC (now Sport New Zealand) made available up to $100,000 in grants to Kiwi expeditions in 2003, 2006, 2008 and 2010. This grant may be available again in 2012 and you should check out our website sometime in May / June 2012 for this. Grants are made to groups of New Zealanders to challenge themselves and inspire others in the great outdoors.
Timmissartok Foundation
www.timmissartok.com
This organisation will partially support projects that involve “travel with a purpose” in which a particular passion is explored. It is open to “individuals seeking adventure in foreign lands” – all nationalities and ages. Grant amounts are “small.” Applications are accepted anytime. Application form on the website.
Toyota New Zealand
http://www.believe.co.nz/
Offered every three months - scholarship recipients are provided with a maximum of $3,000 to give them a head start with getting a project off the ground.