Community organisations across the Southern Lakes region are invited to apply for grants as the ZQN Community Fund opens its 2026 funding round.
Applications opened today and close on 7 April 2026, with grants available to support projects that benefit the communities of the Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago districts.
The fund reflects the airport’s long-term commitment to giving back to the communities in which it operates and aligns with its broader sustainability objectives.
"As a key gateway to our region, we recognise our responsibility to give back and support the communities that support us," said Vanessa Hartnell, Partnerships and Marketing Manager, Queenstown Airport. “The ZQN Community Fund extends our support for local grassroots organisations that are doing important work on the ground, strengthening social and community outcomes across the district.”
The fund is delivered in partnership with 45South Community Foundation, which manages the funding and granting process.
Grants from last year’s funding round were used to support a variety of programmes, with a focus on youth, disability, and community wellbeing. The fund supported youth trusts; gear grab bags for the Frankton Fire Brigade; a trailer to assist Friends of Bullock Creek with planting, weeding and mulching work; a youth camp for MINT charitable trust; Central Journeys' outdoor adventures for teenage girls; a contribution to a new playground for Mount Aspiring College; and butchering costs for game hunted by members of the Deerstalkers' Association Southern Branch to be processed and donated to the community through KiwiHarvest.
The Community Fund is open to charitable organisations working within the Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago districts. Priority will be given to initiatives that support community wellbeing, youth, environmental sustainability, and resilience and particularly projects that respond to local needs and have a clear community impact.The fund has a total of $50,000 and grants are made between $1,000 and $5,000.
2025 recipients:
- Mt Aspiring College for funds to complete playground development
- MINT Charitable Trust to contribute to camp costs for disabled youth
- Frankton Volunteer Fire Brigade for new safety equipment
- Cromwell Youth Trust to support the Wahine Toa development programme
- Friends of Bullock Creek Trust for a new trailer for conservation work
- Living Options Central Otago for art sessions for disabled youth at Te Atamira
- Central Otago Family Services for Teens and Family workshops
- Queenstown Lakes Baby Box Trust items for Baby Boxes
- Whakatipu Toy Library programme support
- Queenstown Scouts to support the running costs of a new social enterprise
- Central Otago Friendship Network for senior and teenage support sessions
- Kahu Youth Trust for a Matariki celebration
- Alexandra Youth Trust for a breakfast programme at Dunstan High School
- Journeys Charitable Trust for an outdoor programme for teenage girls