New Zealand Communities Growth Trust (NZCGT)
The New Zealand Communities Growth Trust was established by High Court Order in March 2000. It is a reformation of the former Centrepoint Community Growth Trust, which established and operated an intentional community in Albany from the late 1970s to the 1990s.
The High Court appointed Public Trust as Trustee and provided for charitable grants to be made under four categories of:
therapeutic and counselling
education
public benefit (including the support and establishment of communities)
relief of poverty.
The Trust is established for charitable purposes exclusively within New Zealand. The Trust support’s individuals disadvantaged by cults or spiritual communities in particular past residents of Centrepoint and their children and organisations that provide services that meet the purposes of the Trust.
Please see attached flyer with Q&As relative to the 2022 review
The Trust's grant rounds
1.Therapeutic and counselling, and relief of poverty
Open to individuals disadvantaged by cults and/or spiritual communities including former residents of Centrepoint.
Funding available - $165,000 per year.
Learn more about the individual Therapeutic and counselling, and relief of poverty grants here.
2.Education (scholarships)
Open to individuals disadvantaged by cults and/or spiritual communities and those wishing to study in the areas of counselling and education.
Outcomes to the 2024 applications will be advised of the outcome by 28 February 2025. (Please note this date is subject to change in which applicants will be notified prior to their contact email address via Smarty Grants). We suggest you check your emails regularly in late February 2025.
Funding available - $50,000 per year
Learn more about the scholarship grants here.
3.Contestable grant round - Organisations (therapeutic and counselling, education and public benefit)
Open to organisations (registered with Charities Services) that provide services to New Zealanders or to projects or organisations within New Zealand.
Learn more about the contestable grant round here.
Applications are open every second year (2025, 2027, 2029). Accessible links will be provided on this webpage during those years the first week in November and close mid-December.
