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Applications have opened for the All-of-Population Suicide Prevention Community Fund, offering communities across New Zealand support for projects that strengthen wellbeing and prevent suicide.
The fund provides grants of between $40,000 and $100,000 per project, with a total of $1.5 million available for the 2026/2027 funding round.
Delivered by the Mental Health Foundation and funded by Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora, the initiative supports projects aligned with the Government’s Every Life Matters – Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan.
The fund is open to all communities, with a particular focus on groups that may face higher suicide risk, including Māori, Pasifika, maternal communities, men, rangatahi, rainbow communities and rural communities.
Mental Health Foundation chief executive Shaun Robinson says community connection is one of the strongest protective factors against suicide.
“Community is one of our most powerful tools for preventing suicide. When people feel connected, supported and valued, they’re more likely to reach out for help and less likely to face tough times alone,” Robinson says.
He says the fund recognises communities are best placed to understand their own strengths and challenges.
“Whether it’s a grassroots group, an iwi or marae, a youth collective, or a local network looking out for one another, we want to hear from communities who are ready to take action and make a lasting difference.”
Applications are open from February 10 to March 17.
Eligible applicants can find out more and apply online via the All-of-Population Suicide Prevention Community Fund website at mentalhealth.org.nz/spfund.
