Mactodd Community Charitable Trust

07/05/2026

Mactodd’s Jayne Macdonald and Anna Gillooly were thrilled to spend time in Wānaka yesterday meeting recipients from the Mactodd Community Charitable Trust’s inaugural grants round.
At Mount Aspiring College, Principal Nicola Jacobsen shared the positive impact of the school’s wellbeing programmes, supported by Trust funding. It was wonderful to hear how these initiatives are helping students and strengthening the school community.
Next up they met with the wonderful Kate Murray, Lindsey Schofield, and some of their dedicated volunteers, from Community Link Upper Clutha.
We heard about the incredible work Community Link is doing and saw the site of their new foodbank container which the Trust has funded. It is a timely addition, with the existing foodbank full to the brim with generously donated goods.
It is truly heartwarming to see the impact of this funding and the difference it is making for people in our community.

13/04/2026

On Friday, Trustees Jayne Macdonald and Caitlin D***s were delighted to visit the newly-constructed Cromwell Menz Shed – it was amazing to see the result of a project years-in-the-making, and it is an incredible space for the Menz Shed members and community alike. The Mactodd Community Charitable Trust partnered with the Cromwell Menz Shed nearly 3 years ago, so to see the physical outcome of that support is very special for the Trust. Congratulations to the Cromwell Menz Shed and all those involved in seeing this project completed.

09/04/2026

Building Belonging at Wakatipu High School

Thanks to a generous $65,000 grant from the Mactodd Community Charitable Trust, the Wakatipu High School Foundation is expanding support for migrant students and families at Wakatipu High School.

With students from more than 62 ethnicities, our school is a vibrant reflection of the Wakatipu Basin - and creating a strong sense of belonging for every student matters more than ever.

We’re incredibly grateful to the Mactodd Community Charitable Trust for investing in the wellbeing of young people in our community.

👉 Read more: https://www.whsf.nz/post/building-belonging-new-grant-supports-diverse-whs-community

09/04/2026

Tanya Surrey and Maddy Patterson of Mactodd Lawyers visited the team at Baskets of Blessing in Arrowtown last week. This much needed local charity provides meals, food and gift hampers for those in need throughout the local community. The baskets are supplied to those suffering from financial hardship, health issues, mental illness, family bereavements and other life struggles.
Volunteers source food and prepare the meals for weekly deliveries. The Mactodd Community Charitable Trust has recently donated $10,000 towards the cost of a new walk-in freezer. Baskets of Blessing help so many, our trust was delighted to support their work in our inaugural grants round.

24/02/2026

We are delighted to announce our successful funding applicants and are looking forward to seeing their initiatives take flight!

Eleven Queenstown Lakes & Central Otago associations and community-focussed organisations received a portion of $379,770 and included: Queenstown Trails, Dunstan Rowing Club, Wakatipu High School, Baskets of Blessing Meals, Mt Aspiring College, Glenorchy Mission Hall, Wanaka Cycling Without Age, Luggate Fire Brigade, Central Otago Wilding Conifer Control, Upper Clutha Community Link, and Central Stories Alexandra District Museum.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to apply - we are immensely grateful and humbled by the interest and also the passion for our incredible region.

For those who weren't successful this time around, we encourage you to apply for our second funding round. This is expected to be announced on 1 October 2026.

10/02/2026

Thank you to everyone who submitted for our first funding round. We have been blown away by the quantity and quality of the applications we have received (96!), and it has been heartening and exciting to see such passionate people eager to deliver community-focussed initiatives. While we won't be able to support every application that has come through, we are immensely grateful for the interest in our fund and look forward to announcing our successful applications soon!

18/12/2025

Just over a week to get your grant application in - do it before the holidays!

Applications close on 31 December at 5pm.

For funding criteria, the application form, and more information, visit our website: www.mactodd.co.nz/communitycharitabletrust

11/12/2025

There is just over two weeks left to get your grant applications in for our first funding round.

We plan to donate $200,000-$300,000 in this round - the amount available for each grant will depend on the size and impact of the project, as well as available funding. We may fund all or part of your request.

If you are a not-for-profit, charitable, or voluntary community organisation based/delivering the project in the Central Otago and Lakes District areas and can show strong community support for your project, apply today.

Applications close 5pm on 31 December: www.mactodd.co.nz/communitycharitabletrust

27/11/2025

There is just over one month to go until grant applications close for the Mactodd Community Charitable Trust.

Applications are open for grants between $50,000 - $150,000 as well as $5,000 - $50,000.

If you are considering applying for Mactodd Community Charitable Trust’s first funding round, please get your application in before 5pm on 31 December 2025: www.mactodd.co.nz/communitycharitabletrust

18/11/2025

Have you checked out the latest Lakes Weekly Bulletin? The editorial this week is from our grants committee member Jayne Macdonald and it covers her work with the trust and what she and the other members want to achieve with the grants fund. Have a read!

"...With the Trust, we have an opportunity to help community groups and charities or those with a fantastic idea that they need financial assistance to implement. At Mactodd Lawyers, our firm values are Accessible, Collaborative, Innovative and Diverse, and they shape how we work and who we are. They also apply to this Trust – we want it to be accessible for our diverse community, and for the funds to help support and uplift innovative and collaborative work and ideas."

It is exciting to be at the helm of the Mactodd Community Charitable Trust as it enters a new era – its formal grants funding application process. We recently launched it to the community, and it’s been a surreal and somewhat nerve-wracking step, as over the years, we have made relatively anonym...

29/10/2025

These are some of the things that are important to our grants committee members. These aspects are worth considering if you are thinking of applying for our first grants funding round.

We look forward to seeing your application: www.mactodd.co.nz/communitycharitabletrust