Overview

Spectrum Foundation provides funding to support projects and organisations that help disabled people, and their whānau thrive.

We distribute funding through a mix of open and targeted funding opportunities.

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young man embracing another person

Funding Options

    • For smaller, community-based projects with a local focus.

    • Shorter application process and lighter reporting requirements.

    • For projects that address significant needs or have a wider impact.

    • More detailed application process with additional requirements.

  • For initiatives that tackle large-scale issues or help new organisations get started.

    This funding is by invitation only and focuses on long-term change.

Please note: Spectrum Foundation does not fund applications for individuals.

Our vision is an Aotearoa in which all disabled people have equal opportunity to live good lives.

To achieve this vision and support those with the greatest need, we’ve developed an approach to funding that is guided by key principles. These principles shape how we allocate resources, ensuring our funding is impactful, inclusive, and supports long-term change. Our approach focuses on the following areas:

  • We are focused on supporting the independence, self-determination and mana - enhancement of disabled people. All funded initiatives should have a strengths-based approach and align with Enabling Good Lives principles*. ​

    As a disability-led philanthropic funder focused on outcomes specifically for disabled people, a key part our impact - along with putting funding decisions into the hands of those with lived experience - is representing the disability sector in the philanthropic funding community.​

  • Across our funding we focus on those with greatest need and least access to opportunities. Rural communities, Māori and Pasifika are communities of particular interest. ​

  • Spectrum Foundation is committed to ensuring decision-making is guided by people with lived experience of disability. This reflects the value we place on self-determination. Our Philanthropy Moderation Panel ensures people with lived experience review eligible applications and make recommendations. Along with the expertise of our Panel, our role as a service provider in the disability sector gives us an understanding of issues and opportunities, informing our open and closed funding streams.  ​

  • We are focused on how our funding can help to achieve genuine, lasting social change that will benefit disabled people now and in the future.

  • We seek to maximise access by simplifying our processes and offering guidance to applicants and those we fund. We maintain an open funding space to ensure we provide access to funding for organisations or initiatives we don’t yet have a relationship with.  ​

  • We build trust and relationships with people and organisations that we support.  Our collaborative approach involves brokering relationships with other donors, funders and interested parties.​

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2025 Funding Round Deadlines

Expressions of Interest (EOI) for our funding will open on Monday, 9th June 2025, and close on Monday, 28th July 2025.

Successful funding requests will be announced at the end of September 2025.

Feel free to contact us anytime throughout the year if you would like to discuss your project idea or have any questions.

How We Decide

Spectrum Foundation works with a Philanthropy Moderation Panel to select and assess applications for funding.

Learn more about the panel here.

Final funding approval is by the Spectrum Foundation Board. The Board is not obliged to approve any application. The Board has complete discretion in the allocation of funds.

Spectrum Foundation reserves the right to alter application deadlines and funding dates. We will inform any applicants in the event of deadline or funding changes. 

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FAQs

  • Spectrum Foundation distributes funding to projects that support disabled people and their whanau. The Foundation usually funds projects that are either not available or where there are significant barriers to accessing services. 

  • Spectrum Foundation funding comes from investment income, fundraising and service fees from sister companies - Spectrum Care and Homes of Choice.  

  • Spectrum Foundation aims for its funding to have the greatest impact. Applications are selected for funding by a Philanthropy Moderation Panel. This group represents the communities we wish to serve. Selected applications then proceed to the Board. 

    We take our funding responsibilities seriously. We want to ensure we fund the most impactful projects in the most impactful way. We allow time to give feedback on funding applications and if necessary to make adjustments.

    We acknowledge that funding decisions can have far-reaching consequences. We want to give time to make these important decisions.  

  • Once funding is approved, we make every effort to transfer approved funding in a prompt manner. We will contact you as soon as possible after a Board meeting to update you on your application and discuss these details. 

  • Spectrum Foundation aims to distribute up to $500K of philanthropic funding in this funding round.