What is the Activity Fund?
The Activity Fund helps reduce financial barriers to our young people aged between five and 21, with physical disabilities and their whanau, with getting involved in sport and recreation.
What can I apply for?
- equipment – Either the adaptation of equipment or the purchase of disability specific equipment
- lessons/coaching – This could be group or individual lessons/coaching and could be within school time, or within a club
- camps – Additional costs associated with the young person attending the camp. For example, to cover the cost of a support person at the camp, the transportation or accommodation
How much can I apply for?
The Activity Fund allows for applications of up to $4,000 (applications for equipment and lessons can be up to $4000, applications for camps are for up to $1000). With each application we ask for a 15% personal contribution. If you believe a 15% personal contribution may be a barrier to applying, please speak to your local Adviser.
How are grant decisions made?
Grant applications will be reviewed and all decisions will be made by the Halberg Grants Committee. This is a discretionary fund and no correspondence will be entered into following Committee’s final decision.
Activity Fund Process
Timings for Application
We run Activity Fund Grant Committee meetings on a monthly basis. Our Advisers must present applications by the third Monday of every month (excluding December when we do not hold a meeting). Please consider the time needed for the application to be worked up, assessed and assigned to a meeting; as we do not fund retrospectively.
Activity Fund Process
- Contact your local Adviser- they can assist and guide your application.
- Decide if you are making an application for equipment, coaching/ lessons or a camp that will enhance the life of a physically disabled young person.
- Approach the key contact for the school, club or equipment provider and discuss your needs (e.g. request a lesson/camp plan, trial a piece of equipment, etc), then obtain a quote.
- Complete the Online Activity Fund Application. To successfully complete this you should gather the following information beforehand: quote; clinical support letter confirming that the applicant’s impairment is primarily physical stating the suitability of the lessons/equipment; support letter outlining the need and benefits of the application from the grant recipient (young person themselves or parent/ caregiver if required).
- The local Adviser will then assess the application and will contact you if further information is required.
- The application will then be sent to the Halberg Foundation Grants Committee on your behalf.
- The Halberg Foundation will inform applicants via letter of the outcome of the grant, either successful or unsuccessful.
- Successful applications will be paid directly to the supplier on receipt of an invoice.
- Successful applications must be utilised within 6 months from the approval date otherwise the grant approval will be closed.
Activity Fund Criteria
Application Criteria
- The grant recipients’ impairment must be primarily a physical disability, including sensory impairments (visual & hearing).
- Applications will be accepted from, or on behalf of, individual physically disabled young people. We do not accept applications from Clubs, Groups or Schools.
- The grant recipient’s must be aged between five and 21 years and be permanently resident in New Zealand (if the recipient is close to 5 years please contact your local Adviser for guidance).
- A minimum 15% personal or school contribution against the amount requested is required for all applications, unless financial hardship is stated.
- A valid quote for the equipment or service must be provided (no older than six months).
- A support letter stating the applicant’s impairment is primarily a physical disability, and the suitability of the application, must be provided by a health care professional i.e. clinical specialist, doctor, nurse, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, optometrist or audiologist.
- The grant recipient must provide a support letter outlining the need and benefits of the application; this may be written with the support of a parent or caregiver if required.
- Applications cannot be retrospective. Equipment that has already been purchased or lessons and camps already attended will not be considered.
- This criteria is applicable to all applications. Other criteria specific to the lessons, equipment, or camp can be found below.
Guidelines for Lessons or Coaching Applications
- A Personal Action Plan ‘PAP’ should be completed for lessons and coaching applications. These are available for download here, or by contacting your local Adviser
- Lessons or coaching applications will be considered for ‘entry level’ only, please discuss with your local Adviser
Guidelines for Equipment Applications
- All equipment, where possible, should be trialled for suitability before application
- Customs and freight costs for equipment sourced outside New Zealand will not be eligible for funding
- Must be ‘entry level’ equipment. Please discuss with your local Adviser
Guidelines for Camp Applications
- A Personal Action Plan ‘PAP’ should be completed for camp applications. These are available for download here, or by contacting your local Adviser
- Only applications for support over and above standard camp costs will be eligible, i.e. additional transportation, equipment or support costs
- Camp entry fees for the attendee will not be eligible. Camp entry fees may be considered for support person if they are there solely to support the recipient
- Only one successful camp application per Academic school year
You will need the PAP documents in an electronic format to upload during the online application process. If you do not have these documents in an electronic format, or you require assistance completing the online form, please contact your local Adviser for assistance.
