These Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) supplement the Guidelines and aim to respond to common questions that applicant organisations may have. They do not replace the Guidelines. Sport NZ will add to the FAQs if we receive further queries that need clarifying. 

Frequently asked questions

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In April 2021, the Minister for Sport and Recreation announced a $5.7 million investment to be allocated by Sport NZ through its Disability Plan. What is the breakdown of the investment? 

The investment of $5.7m is broken down into two amounts: 

• $2.1m is being invested into 19 disability-specialist organisations (made up of 11 ParaFed organisations, dsport and seven National Disability Sport Organisations) over the next three years to June 2024 
• $3.6m will be directly invested into national and regional organisations via the Disability Inclusion Fund over the same time period 

The two new investments of $5.7 million over three years form part of the $7m in disability investment over four years, which was announced by the Minister in October 2019. The balance of the $7m represents funding already expended via No Exceptions investment (see below) and operational funding yet to be expended that will enable Sport NZ to meet the 10 commitments in Sport NZ’s Disability Plan over the next three years to 30 June 2024. 

Note that this new investment is over and above (and does not affect) Sport NZ’s partnership investment in the Halberg Foundation and Special Olympics New Zealand. 

Why is there only one disability fund available when the Minister announced two funds in May 2021? 

Previously two funds were announced for the improvement of physical activity outcomes for disabled tamariki and rangatahi – one to support the expansion of proven programmes (Disability Inclusion Fund) and the other to support the development of innovative new programmes (Disability Active Innovation Fund). Upon further consideration it was determined that both outcomes could be achieved within one funding process, and therefore the latter fund has been merged into the Disability Inclusion Fund. This streamlines the process for organisations seeking funding and we encourage organisations to innovate and collaborate. 

What has happened to ‘No Exceptions’ investment? 

The No Exceptions investment that invested into ParaFed organisations, National Disability Sports Organisations and National Sports Organisations concluded at 30 June 2021. It has now been replaced from 1 July 2021 with a revised and expanded programme of increased investment into 19 disability-specialist organisations (made up of 11 ParaFed organisations, dsport and seven National Disability Sport Organisations) over the next three years to June 2024. This funding is separate and distinct from the Disability Inclusion Fund.  

What is the Disability Inclusion Fund? 

The Disability Inclusion Fund is an open contestable fund for national and regional organisations to support the delivery of initiatives and programmes that increase the opportunities being provided to disabled participants.    

The Fund is the latest step in the process of delivering on the commitments of Sport NZ's Disability Plan and adheres specifically to commitment number seven: Invest in partnerships, funds and programmes supporting disabled tamariki and rangatahi. 

What is the aim of the Disability Inclusion Fund? 

Sport NZ is seeking to create sustainable change within the play, active recreation and sport sector, to provide disabled tamariki and rangatahi (including young people up to age 24) with quality and equitable participation opportunities of their choice, and an inclusive environment in which to participate.  

The Disability Inclusion Fund will invest in mahi that leads to these types of sustainable changes across the sector, building capacity and capability. While open to proposed initiatives for participation opportunities for all disabled tamariki and rangatahi, specifically the Fund aims to address gaps in provision of: 

1. participation opportunities for intellectually disabled tamariki and rangatahi  
2. participation opportunities for tamariki and rangatahi who have invisible impairments 
3. inclusionary practices for all impairments, by investing in sustainable change.   

What is the definition of an invisible impairment? 

An invisible impairment/disability is a physical, mental or neurological condition that is not visible from the outside, yet can limit or challenge a person’s movements, senses, or activities. Examples of invisible impairments, cystic fibrosis, traumatic brain injuries, autistic tendencies, diabetes, and epilepsy.

Can an organisation propose initiatives related to physical impairments?

Yes. The fund will invest in mahi that leads to sustainable change across the disability spectrum, including physical disabilities.

Would the Fund consider an application for funding to upskill for example, coaches and volunteers, to improve capability around engaging people with disabilities? Or is the Fund more targeted towards participation initiatives?

The Disability Inclusion Fund will invest in all types of mahi that lead to sustainable change across the sector, building capacity and capability. The Fund will therefore accept applications seeking investment in systematic change within the sector by upskilling those who impact upon participation initiatives. Applications should highlight the anticipated flow on effect from upskilling others that leads to increased participation opportunities.

Who is eligible to apply for the Disability Inclusion Fund? 

The Disability Inclusion Fund is open to national or regional organisations, both those with experience in using play, active recreation and sport to engage and support disabled tamariki and/or rangatahi (including those experienced in working with intellectual and/or invisible impairments) and those wishing to explore new and innovative opportunities in the space.  

Can organisations submit joint applications? 

Sport NZ encourages joint applications from organisations across the play, active recreation and sport sector, where organisations will work together to create sustainable changes within the sector. The primary purpose of a lead applicant organisation must be play, active recreation or sport, and they must be able to demonstrate that they have a proven track record in providing quality services to disabled tamariki and/or rangatahi. However, this does not preclude lead applicants from applying in collaboration with organisations for whom the primary purpose is not play, active recreation or sport and/or do not have experience in providing quality services to disabled tamariki and/or rangatahi.

Who cannot apply?  

• Individuals  
• Organisations whose primary purpose is not play, active recreation or sport (unless they are working on a joint proposal in collaboration with a national or regional organisation whose primary purpose is play, active recreation or sport and who acts as the lead applicant) 
• Organisations without experience in providing play, active recreation or sport opportunities to disabled tamariki and rangatahi (unless they are working on a joint proposal in collaboration with a national or regional organisation with experience in providing play, active recreation or sport opportunities to disabled tamariki and rangatahi and who acts as the lead applicant) 
• For profit businesses, professional sports teams, schools (unless they are working on a joint proposal in collaboration with a national or regional organisation whose primary purpose is play, active recreation or sport and who acts as the lead applicant) 

What are the definitions of ‘national’ and ‘regional’ organisations?

‘National organisations’ are providers who are either recognised as the national body for an activity or have national reach. In both these instances there must be demonstrated impact on disabled tamariki and/or rangatahi from more than one region in New Zealand.  

‘Regional organisations’ are providers who deliver to disabled tamariki and/or rangatahi solely within their region. If a regional organisation has a national body, they should inform the national body of the application and work proposed, prior to submitting the application.   

If a regional organisation is looking to apply, what level of reach or scale would the panel expect to see in its application?

The application needs to articulate a reach commensurate with what the proposed initiative aims to achieve. It may be that the reach of the proposed initiative is wide and shallow, for example, or it may be that it is deep and narrow. Provided that the application is descriptive about the reach the proposed initiative will engage, and assuming that the other eligibility criteria are met, the application will be eligible for consideration by the assessment panel.

Why is the Disability Inclusion Fund not open to local organisations? 

Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa remains the preferred fund for locally based initiatives. The Disability Inclusion Fund will provide a way for national and regional organisations aspiring to deliver nationwide and/or regional initiatives that have proven successful at the local level. 

How will the new fund complement investment made via Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa?  

Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa is providing ‘on the ground’ opportunities for disabled tamariki and rangatahi to be active. To date, just over $4.5m of Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa funds have been approved for initiatives supporting disabled young people. Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa remains the preferred fund for locally based initiatives. The Disability Inclusion Fund will provide an avenue for national and regional organisations aspiring to deliver nationwide and/or regional initiatives that have proven successful at the local level.    

What does "engagement and collaboration with other appropriate organisations to support your initiative" (after successful application) mean? 

Depending on the exact nature of your proposal, it is important to contact the appropriate/specialist organisation within the disability play, active recreation and sport sector, and make them aware (if they are not already) of your successful application. This will enable them to support you and your proposal, by making you aware of anything that may be happening in the area that you may not know about and/or provide you with appropriate advice on their specialist area. Sport NZ can assist you to make appropriate connections in this regard.

How much money is being invested and is there a limit on the amount that can be applied for? 

The Disability Inclusion Fund is a total amount of $3,600,000 to be invested over three years at approximately $1,200,000 per year.  

Applicant organisations can apply, individually or collectively, for single or multi-year funding for any value, up to a maximum amount of $100,000 per year.   

Sport NZ has absolute discretion to determine the final amount, if any, to be awarded from the Fund to each eligible applicant. Should any of the Fund remain unallocated after year one, there will be additional funding round/s made available in due course. In the event that the Fund is oversubscribed, Sport NZ will prioritise a portfolio of successful applicants and some applications which appropriately satisfy the eligibility criteria and assessment criteria will be deemed unsuccessful.

What level of detail are you looking for in submitted budgets for applications?

Applications must provide an appropriate budget for the proposal, including details of all costs associated with the proposed initiatives, details of all income which will support the proposal (both cash and in kind) from all sources of income, and how much investment the application is requesting from Sport NZ to support the proposal. The level of detail to be submitted in the application’s budget for costs and sources of income should be commensurate with the size and reach of your proposed initiative/s. While not strictly a rule of thumb, it may be that the more complex the proposed initiatives then the more complex the budget that is needed to explain the proposed expenditure, or the simpler the proposed initiatives then the simpler the budget that is needed to explain the proposed expenditure.

Can applicant organisations apply for more than one year of funding at a time? 

Yes, they can apply to a maximum of three years.  

Can one organisation put forward more than one application or submit applications with different collaborative partners? 

Yes.  

Sport NZ encourages joint applications from organisations across the play, active recreation and sport sector. For example, a national or regional organisation may apply on behalf of many regional or local organisations for a joint proposal. In this instance, there must be a lead organisation for the application, and the funding will be paid to the lead applicant. 

An applicant organisation may submit multiple applications, but can only be the sole or lead applicant on one application, and must be a collaborator in the other application/s.  

However, for single-year applications, each organisation may apply only once per funding round. For multi-year applications that are successful, the organisation (or consortium of organisations) is precluded from applying in future funding rounds. 

If an organisation wishes to propose more than one initiative, should it submit one application with all proposed initiatives or should it submit a separate application per initiative?

An applicant organisation may submit multiple applications, but can only be the sole or lead applicant on one application, and must be a collaborator in the other application/s. Therefore, if an organisation wishes to propose several initiatives as a sole or lead applicant, it should collate the information for these initiatives and submit within one application.

Is there scope for a multi-code application?

Yes. Sport NZ encourages joint applications from organisations across the play, active recreation and sport sector which for example, includes the potential for different sports to work together.

Can a community club delivering adapted sport apply?

The Disability Inclusion Fund is open to national and regional organisations, both those with experience in using play, active recreation and sport to engage and support disabled tamariki and/or rangatahi and those wishing to explore new and innovative opportunities in the space. Depending on the exact nature of the proposed initiatives, local or community organisations can either apply to the Disability Inclusion Fund as part of a joint proposal (with a national or regional organisation as the lead applicant) or apply separately and individually to the Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa Fund.

Can local government councils apply for funding?

The Disability Inclusion Fund is open to national or regional organisations, both those with experience in using play, active recreation and sport to engage and support disabled tamariki and/or rangatahi and those wishing to explore new and innovative opportunities in the space. Some local government councils are regional organisations, and some councils are community organisations.  

For a regional organisation, if (1) their primary purpose is not play, active recreation or sport, and/or (2) they do not have experience in providing play, active recreation or sport opportunities to disable tamariki and rangatahi they cannot be a sole or lead applicant, but they can be part of a joint project with a lead applicant who satisfies these criteria. Therefore, depending on the exact nature of the proposed initiatives, a 'regional' local government council is likely best placed to apply to the Disability Inclusion Fund as part of a joint project.

For a 'community' local government council, depending on the exact nature of the proposed initiatives, they are likely best placed to either apply to the Disability Inclusion Fund as part of a joint proposal (with a national or regional organisation as the lead applicant) or apply separately and individually to the Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa Fund.

Can a for-profit be a support organisation for an application lead by a not-for-profit organisation?

Yes. For profit businesses cannot apply as lead or sole applicant, however they can work on a joint proposal in collaboration with a national or regional organisation whose primary purpose is play, active recreation or sport and who acts as the lead applicant.

Can organisations submit a video component as part of its application? What are the guidelines? 

Yes. If your organisation wishes to submit a video recording, either as a component of the application, or as an alternate form of submission, the following guidelines should be adhered to: 

• The recording should be between three and ten minutes long. 
• The recording must be filmed horizontally (landscape) and not vertically (portrait). 
• Please ensure you have permission to use and feature all those who are on it. 
• Please use plain or blurred backgrounds for interviews. 
• Videos must be uploaded to an online platform and the link shared in the application form. 
• If applicants choose to upload to YouTube, the URL must not be password protected, and selected as ‘unlisted’. This ensures your video is not available to general public and can only be accessed by entering the correct URL directly into a web browser. 

Can I submit attachments as additional information to support my application?

Yes, documents, videos, and audio files can be attached at section five of the application form.

What is the composition of the assessment/evaluation panel? 

A panel of five industry experts, including (internal) Sport NZ management and (external) independents will form the panel to evaluate all applications. 

Sport NZ has absolute discretion to determine the final amount, if any, to be awarded from the Disability Inclusion Fund to each eligible applicant. 

What is the closing date for applications to be submitted? 

12.00pm 18 October 2021 

What date will applicant organisations be informed if their application has been successful? 

10 December 2021 

Will unsuccessful applicant organisations be informed as to why they were not successful? 

Yes. All applicant organisations will be informed by email, whether their application has been successful or unsuccessful. Upon receipt of email notification as to success of the application, any organisation seeking further information can contact Sport NZ. 

If you have any further queries, please email disabilityinclusion@sportnz.org.nz .