The 2026 round of the Rainbow Wellbeing Legacy Fund (RWLF), will see $70,000 in grants being distributed to projects, activities and organisations that work to improve mental health outcomes for the rainbow community. This fund will allow Rule Foundation to support up to 7 projects or initiatives with grants available up to $20,000. This fund is specifically for projects benefiting any areas south of Tāmaki Makaurau. Tāmaki Makaurau and Te Tai Tokerau are supported through our Foundation North Fund.
If you have any questions please email: secretary@rulefoundation.nz
Key information:
The 2026 round of the Rainbow Wellbeing Legacy Fund opens on Wednesday, 1st July 2026.
The round closes at 5pm on Monday, 31st August 2026.
History
The Rainbow Wellbeing Legacy Fund was founded in 2019 through a $1 million endowment from the New Zealand Government in recognition of the men who were convicted for consensual homosexual activities pre-1986. The original idea for the Fund was put forward by the men whose convictions have or are being expunged through a scheme established in 2018. The Homosexual Law Reform Act 1986 decriminalised sexual relations between men aged 16 and over but, prior to its passage, men having consensual sex with each other were liable to prosecution and a term of imprisonment. These men were the recipients of an apology issued by the Minister of Justice in 2017.
After the Fund was announced, it was agreed that it would be held and administered by The Rule Foundation, given the alignment with the Foundation’s kaupapa and focus. In 2021, a further endowment of $800,000 was made to the Foundation by the New Zealand Government.
In 2022,Foundation North, the community trust for Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Te Tai Tokerau Northland, made a contribution of $99,000 to the 2022 round of the Fund. In 2023 & 2024, they contributed an additional $200,000 to each round of the Fund. In 2023, Ministry of Youth Development (MYD) - Te Manatū Whakahiato Taiohi made a contribution of $100,000 to the Fund in order to provide support for initiatives contributing to the wellbeing and resilience of rainbow young people, aged 12-24 years.
The 2026 round of the Rainbow Wellbeing Legacy Fund (RWLF), will see $70,000 in grants being distributed to projects, activities and organisations that work to improve mental health outcomes for the rainbow community. This fund will allow Rule Foundation to support up to 7 projects or initiatives through grants up to $20,000.
Purpose
The intention for the Fund is to support projects, activities and organisations to improve mental health outcomes for future generations of Rainbow communities, particularly for young people. It was the hope of those who initially put forward the idea for the Fund that their suffering as a result of their convictions would be turned into positive outcomes for others within the Rainbow community.
The Fund will allocate grants with a view to improving, sustaining and/or supporting the mental health and wellbeing of the Rainbow community. Grants will be targeted at activities that will improve the capacity and capability of communities to support Rainbow mental health and wellbeing, such as resource development, community events, digital supports, information sharing initiatives and campaigns, research and training.
Criteria
Key criteria
In your application you will be asked to demonstrate:
The difference your mahi will make to the mental health and wellbeing of the rainbow community.
The need for your project and the context or evidence that has informed the need.
How this mahi is being led by and for rainbow community members.
Projects can be:
Community, cultural, research, sporting or creative activities that support and enhance the wellbeing of rainbow* communities or increase the visibility of the community’s history and development
Developing capability, for example: training for staff, volunteers and members in rainbow community organisations; developing and disseminating mental health and wellbeing resources; developing rainbow communities’ leadership and self reliance.
Activities / projects that work with specific rainbow groups that experience multiple forms of oppression/disadvantage including: Māori, Pacific peoples, people with disabilities, rangatahi, migrants, refugees, bisexual, gender diverse and intersex people.
Technical criteria
A maximum of $20,000 and a minimum of $5,000 can be applied for. Amounts smaller than $5,000 can be requested through the Peter Rule Fund.
This fund is for projects taking place south of Tāmaki Makaurau. Projects and groups in Tāmaki Makaurau and Te Tai Tokerau can apply for the Foundation North Fund.
Projects can be of any length from 3 months to 12 months.
A final report detailing key outcomes will be required at the end of the project. If your project produces a report, publication or equivalent as its primary output, we will accept this as your reporting.
Consider
Collaboration and joint applications are encouraged and will be considered favourably.
Co-funded applications through the Rainbow Funders Rōpu are encouraged.
Limitations
Research applications must have the following qualities:
The purpose and outcomes of the research will be of direct benefit to the rainbow community.
Has been requested/commissioned or co-designed in partnership with a rainbow community organisation.
Considers existing research available and/or builds on existing research.
Media and creative applications are more likely to be funded if they have the following attributes:
Involve bringing the community together, not just as an audience
Aim to have a wide distribution
Focus on our histories as communities
Are accessible to a wide range of people
Exclusions
Funding will not be awarded for activities that are primarily the domain of the Ministry of Health, or other government agencies, to fund or deliver, or otherwise duplicate activities that are already funded.
Individuals can not be awarded grants. However, groups of people may apply but will need an organisation with a bank account to hold funds on their behalf.
‘Business as usual’ (BAU) costs, for example, rent or power costs, will only be considered for smaller organisations (those under $100,000 in annual expenses).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we apply for more than one project at the same time?
An organisation may only apply once in this round application. If an organisation is acting as a fund holder for another group or organisation, without affecting their own eligibility to apply for and receive funding.
What is the timeline for decision-making after applying?
You will be notified of the results within 4 weeks of the closing date.
Can individuals apply for funding, or is it only for organisations?
Funding is for not-for-profit groups and impact- led organisations doing charitable work (where no private or individual gain is generated). We cannot pay any funds into an individual account - if you do not have an organisation bank account you will have to find an organisation to hold the funds on your behalf.
Do we need to provide a detailed budget with our application?
Yes. Please attach a budget to your application that details the main expenses that funding will be spent on, and any other income you will receive or apply for.
If you need support preparing a budget, please reach out to secreatry@rulefoundation.nz for assistance.
Is there any reporting required after receiving funding?
Yes, you will be required to submit a brief report upon completion of the project.
How will we be notified if our application is successful?
You will be notified via email of the results within 4 weeks of the closing date.
Can we request feedback on our application prior to submitting?
Yes. Please contact secretary@rulefoundation.nz.
What support is available to help with the application process?
The Rule Foundation Administration Coordinator is available to help with applications. Please contact secretary@rulefoundation.nz with any questions.
Can we apply for funding to cover operational costs for our organisation?
Your application may contain some budget to cover operational costs or overheads, but this should not be the focus of the application.
Are multi-year projects eligible for funding?
No.
We have already been funded through either the Foundation North Fund or the Peter Rule Fund, are we still able to apply for this round?
Yes - you are still able to apply for this round. Please ensure that your group or organsiation is benefiting communities South of the Bombay Hills.
Do applications have to be from a registered charitable organisation?
No. However, applicants that are not registered as a charitable organisation must clearly articulate the charitable purpose of the initiative for which funding is sought and delineate between for-profit and not-for-profit activity.
Can I apply for international travel?
International costs including overseas aid or travel incurred overseas may be funded if it is deemed of exemplary benefit to the Rainbow community.
This funding will prioritise events and initiatives that focus on Māori, Pacific peoples, transgender, and intersex communities, be capped at $3,000 per person and can only be granted once every 5 years for the individual(s) benefiting, and once every 2 years for the groups applying.
Do you accept applications for research?
Yes. Research applications must have the following qualities: The purpose and outcomes of the research will be of direct benefit to the rainbow community outside of Tāmaki Makaurau and/or Te Tai Tokerau, have been requested/commissioned or co-designed in partnership with a rainbow community organisation and considers existing research available and/or builds on existing research.
We have been funded in previous years, are we still eligible?
Yes.
Who forms the decision making panel?
The funding will be allocated by Rule Foundation Trustees and special advisors to the fund.
Can I apply for salary or wages?
Yes - as long as BAU (business as usual costs) are not the bulk of your application.
Do the grants include GST?
As these grants are considered a donation, no GST will be paid.
Previous grantees
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Outline - $ 8,000.00 towards the rebuild of OutLine Aotearoa
Moana Vā - $8,000.00 towards a communications and engagement Salary
Pride Wairau Manatōpū - $8,000.00 towards the Pride Wairau Festival 2026
Nelson Pride - $ 4,000.00 towards Nelson-Tasman Pride 2026
ANAMATA CAFE TRUST - $5,000.00 towards Takatāpui Rangatahi Youth Groups
Wellington Pride Parade Trust - $ 5,000.00 towards Rainbow Counselling Services
Te Whare Kahukura o Te Awa Kairangi - $ 8,000.00 towards the Generations Project
Qtopia - $ 8,000.00 towards the Ōtautahi Rainbow Hub
Grey District Youth Trust - $8,000.00 towards a Rainbow Youth Group
Whakatipu Youth Trust - $8,000.00 towards the Spectrum Club - a Rainbow Youth Support Group
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Utu-Ā-Matimati – $20,000 towards a takatāpui arts collective and zine
Wheke Fortress Gallery - $20,000 towards Revolution TV, a Twitch Channel and online broadcaster for Māori Pasifika rainbow viewers and streamers
Pride Whanganui - $5,000 towards operational costs
Anamata Cafe - $15,000 towards Rainbow Youth Support Events
Ngā Uri o Whiti Te Rā Mai Le Moana Trust - $30,000 towards an MVPFAFF+/Takatāpui Lead
Nevertheless - $20,000 towards storytelling for whānau about mental health, gender dysmorphia, social media and importance of acceptance
Rainbow Violence Prevention Network - $25,000 towards ongoing operations
Rainbow Youth - Greymouth - $7,500 towards ongoing operations
Bald Angels Charitable Trust - $7,500 towards providing safe spaces for rainbow rangatahi in Kerikeri
Rainbow Path - $25,000 towards a peer support training programme for volunteers to assist rainbow asylum seekers and refugees living in Aotearoa
Gender Minorities Aotearoa - $25,000 towards their Autistic Transgender Affirmation Programme
Mana Tipua Trust - $20,000 towards enabling increased access to their services
Number 10 Youth One Stop Shop - $7,500 towards support coordination rainbow rangtahi in Murihiku
Q Youth - $15,000 towards their Kea Youth Drop-In programme
OUT&about Wānaka - $5,000 towards operations
Moana Vā - $30,000 towards their communications and engagement
Auckland Womens Centre - $13,788.00 towards supporting rainbow women at risk of social isolation
Paparoa Pride 2025 - $6,500 towards ongoing operations
House of Dawn - $15,000 towards a series of weekly studio sessions to be used for community gatherings, vogue classes and workshops
House of Givenchy - $30,000 towards community workshops and Legends in Aotearoa celebrating unity
Whangarei Proud - $6,500 towards operational costs
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Ma'ine Kweenz | 'Ma'ine Kweenz: Creative Wānanga' series featuring Pacific dance, crafts, makeup, apparel, and contemporary expression like Vogue, held during three community days | Auckland | $15,180
Utu-Ā-Matimati: Five Finger Discount Zine | A nationwide, decolonial, artist-infused magazine by and for tangata takatāpui, embodying takatāpuitanga within Māoritanga | Nationwide | $50,000
People First New Zealand Ngā Tāngata Tahi | Easy Read materials for LGBTQIA+ individuals with learning disabilities and their allies | Nationwide | $18,125
Intersex Trust Aotearoa New Zealand | To help strengthen their internal capacity for peer support services | Nationwide | $25,000
Zeal Education Trust | Guest speakers and mentoring for Rainbow Hangs youth groups | Wellington | $30,000
Mana Tipua, Mana Ora | "Kia Hīnātore" - weekly drop-in sessions for rangatahi, emphasizing cultural learning, community connections, and identity support, alongside periodic wānanga led by experts | Christchurch | $50,000
InsideOUT and RainbowYOUTH | Piloting the first evidence-based violence prevention program for rainbow rangatahi in Aotearoa, including online and physical sessions in Taranaki for program evaluation | Nationwide | $80,000
Youthline Central South Island | To provide local Rainbow Youth Leaders with Mental Health First Aid training and peer mentoring for better support within the Rainbow community | Christchurch | $28,000
Manawatu Lesbian & Gay Rights Association | Dedicated professional supervision for professionals working with rainbow communities and families, provided by rainbow individuals, to enhance the skills of those working with these communities | Palmerston North | $25,000
Coral - It's Not Just a Stage (Film) | Documentary on Coral Trimmer, a 93-year-old lesbian harmonica virtuoso, to cover archival research, editing, sound design, music clearances, and post-production | Nationwide | $25,000
PATHA | Scholarship funding for people from Aotearoa to attend the AusPath/PATHA Conference | Nationwide | $10,000
Gender Minorities Aotearoa | Transgender healthcare database upgrade | Nationwide | $22,000
OutLine | Peer support phone line and webchat services | Nationwide | $25,000
Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington | Activities related to supporting the resilience and mental health of rainbow students | Wellington | $4,500.00
NZ Human Rights Commission Te Kahui Tika Tangata | Rainbow Rights are Human Rights Hui (the Hui) Scholarship Fund | Nationwide | $10,000
Invisibility to Pride, the Legacy | support funding for publishing a book about the history of rainbow people in Aotearoa | Nationwide | $15,000 (Publisher TBC)
Anamata CAFE | Youth-led community events/projects, fostering collaboration and networking among local rainbow young people | Tāupō / Turangi | $20,000.00
Te Ngākau Kahukura O Te Awa Kairangi | Rainbow rangatahi workshops and hui | Lower Hutt | $10,000
Bald Angels | Rangatahi Rainbow club | Kerikeri | $6,000
InsideOUT | Attending the national Shift Hui | Te Tai Tokerau | $4,000
Whangārei PROUD | Monthly community events | Whangārei | $11,000
Paparoa Pride | Community engagement | Paparoa | $7,000
RainbowYOUTH | Northland Rainbow Coalition | Te Tai Tokerau | $7,000
Circus Kumarani | Building a Rainbow network | Dargaville | $2,000
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Ae Ka Taea e Koe Ltd – $12,000 towards their West Auckland based outreach events for takatāpui
Adhikaar Aotearoa – $20,000 towards their project Resourcing the Next Generation of LGBTQIA+ South Asians
Body Positive Inc. – $11,050 towards their sexual health and peer support online outreach programme
CAYAD (Community Action on Youth and Drugs) – $14,000 towards their Joyful Movement project - personal training course(s) that centre the trans and non-binary community and their needs.
The Charlotte Museum – $15,000 towards an upgrade of their museum technical equipment to help improve knowledge and understanding of rainbow histories, and to help advance the study of LGBTIQ+ history and communities
China Pride NZ – $11,000 towards their study of Chinese rainbow international students titled: Experiences of navigating heteronormativity and racism in Aotearoa New Zealand
Empwr – $18,918 towards their project titled: LGBTQIA+ Takatāpui Inclusive Antenatal Education in Aotearoa
Govett-Brewster Art Gallery – $20,000 towards their project titled: Make Visible Taranaki, an artist and community-led multi-year collaboration to foster long-term creative opportunities for Taranaki’s LGBTQI+ communities
Moana Vā - Navigators of Pacific Pride – $40,000 over two years towards engaging and building the Pacific Rainbow+ community in Otautahi Christchurch
Rainbow Hub Waikato – $15,000 towards their rainbow education outreach programme in the Waikato
RainbowYOUTH – $40,000 over two years towards the rebuild and reestablishment of their Te Moana a Toi Bay of Plenty drop-in centre and services
Same Same But Different Festival – $16,040, over two years towards their event the samesame but different LGBTQI+ Writers Festival
Te Huia and Rangiwherowhero Whānau Trust – $18,000 towards takatāpui/rainbow rangatahi wānanga in Pirongia
University of Otago – $6,000 towards their research project titled Takatāpui/LGBTIQ+ communities' housing experiences
Youthline Auckland – $19,700 towards providing in-person and tele-health counseling for rainbow youth communities.
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Adhikaar Aotearoa – $5,000 towards their project Nurturing the Ethnic Queer and Trans Experience in Aotearoa.
Body Positive Inc. – $6,234 towards their online outreach programme.
Faith Space – $12,000 towards Restory, a faith based support programme for rainbow people in Palmerston North.
Gender Minorities Aotearoa – $40,000 over two years towards their mental health and wellbeing transgender support service.
Indian Origin Pride NZ – $5,000 towards establishing their organisation to support rainbow people of Indian origin.
Intersex Trust Aotearoa – $40,000 over two years towards projects to develop and support intersex community health and wellbeing.
Ngā Uri o Whiti Te Rā Mai Le Moana Trust – $10,000 towards their Wellington MVPFAFF wellness fono retreat.
Perinatal Mental Health – $5,000 towards the development of transgender support resources.
Q-Topia – $38,000 over two years towards their Waitaha regional development work.
Rainbow Path – $7,027 towards Rainbow Path wellbeing and youth sector collaboration project.
Taiohi Morehu – $20,000 towards the takatāpui component of their kaupapa Māori youth leadership group.
Tradespeople – $12,000 towards a profile series sharing the stories of LGBTQI+ trades people more authentically.
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Dunedin Pride Inc - $8966.40 towards Social Groups and Social Events
Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa (PATHA) - $20,000 towards Transgender Health and Wellbeing Online Training Modules for Primary Care.
Lesbian and Gay Archives New Zealand (LAGANZ) - $20,000 towards the Digitisation Initiatives, Storage and Commissioning a Digital Archive.
Youth Sector Rainbow Collective - $7,000 towards the Be There Campaign.
Tīwhanawhana Trust - $10,000 towards making takatāpui information more accessible.
FAFSWAG - $20,000 towards DIGITAL GAFA: Archive of Moana Oceania Queer Histories in Aotearoa.
Migrant Action Trust - $14,000 towards Research on Queer and gender diverse (rainbow) ethnic youth.
Read more about the work of our previous grantees:
2024 Dates
The round has now closed. Decisions will be announced in the coming weeks.
Note: Applications must be completed in SmartyGrants, accessed by clicking on the button above.
Frequently asked questions
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Through the application we are looking for evidence that informs how the work will support the mental health and wellbeing of our rainbow communities. The work must provide opportunities for our rainbow Communities to participate and lead. Projects should be by the rainbow community, for the rainbow community.
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In most cases, we require the organisation to have an individual or group that is a part of the rainbow community leading, informing and/or participating within the project.
If you are collaborating with rainbow organisations, we would like to see a letter of support. There does not need to be any formal contract. -
If your kaupapa, vision, and strategy is focused on improving the mental health and wellbeing for rainbow communities then we welcome you to apply.
Different groups and organisations will present things differently - we expect an application for academic research to be very different to that of a kapa haka group, for example.
Our best advice is to tell us why you are passionate, what you want to see change, and how you will go about it. -
We try to make the fund flexible and accessible. Collaboration is great and encouraged. If successful, there will need to be a nominated organisation who will receive the funds.
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You are welcome to apply for any amount of funding within the criteria, $5,000 - $150,000pa.
We require that all academic research be in partnership with community.
In some cases, we will fund salaries around research projects. We are interested in the outcomes of the mahi, but do usually run a ‘sense check’ over the cost items in the budget. Are the researchers, leaders, and others involved a part of the rainbow community?
We also look at the purpose and outcomes of the research. What are the benefits and how will this research benefit the mental health and wellbeing of the specific community being researched?
A launch event is not necessary but we would want evidence of the reach of your project beyond the completion date. There should be a free/accessible outcome from the research that is relevant to the intended audience.
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A legal entity is not required. However, we will not deposit funds into an individual's bank account.
A marae/iwi/collaborating organisation can be a fund holder that is a registered entity (charity, incorporated society, company), and they have agreed to be the fund holder for you, then you can apply.
Within your application please explain your connections and relationship with the fund holder. -
The Rainbow Wellbeing Legacy Fund provides $20,000 a year for 3 years maximum. If you can provide evidence of the impact and benefits of this project for rainbow communities then please apply.
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We try to understand the application and its justification based on the community and the language provided. Each application will be required to provide specific answers but will be interpreted through your organisations values and how they align with the Rainbow Wellbeing Legacy Fund.
We look for things like, Is there evidence that the communities have been engaged? Have there been conversations, studies, proposals or requests to or from the community that this project would be beneficial to the community? -
Yes, absolutely. You are reaching your audience and ensuring they have access to the project.
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Generally, we would ask for one application annually. You may combine projects into one application. We would like the project to be reviewed and presented in a way that can engage and bring our communities together. Please don’t try to do too much with too little money as we like to ensure all elements can be completed.