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We Can Help With That
Every home sold creates another opportunity to help someone in our community. Helping local ideas become local impact.
Upcoming funding rounds:
- Funding Round 1: Opens July 2026 – 1 September 2026
- Funding Round 2: Opens 1 December 2026 – 1 February 2027
- Funding Round 3: Opens 1 April 2027 – 1 June 2027
We Can Help With That is a locally driven funding initiative supporting the people, projects, and organisations that make the Far North stronger. Through We Can Help With That, small grants are made available to eligible community groups, schools, charities, and individuals across the Bay of Islands and greater Far North region to help bring meaningful local projects to life.
Overview / Purpose
From community events and school initiatives through to grassroots fundraising efforts and neighbourhood projects, We Can Help With That exists to turn local ideas into real, tangible impact.
OUR COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY
Ray White Far North is the largest real estate group in the region, with seven offices working together across the district. Since 1980, we have continually strived to provide the Bay of Islands and greater Far North region with a real estate experience like no other.
While our work is centred around property, our connection to the community runs far deeper than real estate. We are proud to live and work in the same neighbourhoods as our clients, and we care deeply about the people, places, and local causes that matter to them.
As our presence across the Far North has grown, so has our desire to create something more structured and meaningful that reflects the scale of our connection to the region. We Can Help With That was created with this in mind — a way to ensure that every home sold contributes directly back into the communities that make our region special.
Each property transaction contributes to a dedicated community fund, allowing us to reinvest into local projects, ideas, and initiatives that create real impact where it’s needed most.
This initiative reflects our belief that real estate should do more than move property — it should help strengthen the communities we all call home.
WHAT WE SUPPORT
Our vision is to create a community of active people, resilient communities and sustainable environments through supporting projects across three key areas:
Participation – Initiatives that encourage involvement in sport, arts, culture, education, recreation, and community connection.
People – Projects that support wellbeing, skills development, inclusion, and opportunity within our communities, particularly for those who may need additional support.
Places – Initiatives that enhance, protect, or activate the spaces and environments where our communities come together.
OUR VALUES
Ray White Far North values teamwork and collaboration as a path to success and excellence in our work. Our company’s team of committed professionals embrace the following core values:
Quality: We deliver only excellence and aim to exceed expectations in everything we do.
Integrity: We conduct ourselves in the highest ethical standards, demonstrating honesty and fairness in every decision and action.
Agility: We execute with agility and an open mind to address our clients’ needs.
Courage: We make decisions and act in the best interests of our clients, even in the face of personal or professional adversity.
Respect and Trust: We treat our clients and each other with dignity and respect at all times.
Fun: We believe in having fun at work and with each other.
WHERE FUNDING COMES FROM
We Can Help With That will be a major independent funder in the Far North and Bay of Islands distributing grants for charitable, cultural, philanthropic and recreational purposes. It is funded through contributions from Ray White Far North property sales.
A portion of commission from each transaction is allocated into a central community fund, creating an ongoing resource that grows as we continue to support property owners across the region.
This shared fund allows us to give back consistently and meaningfully to the communities we serve.
WHO CAN APPLY
Individuals or groups representing non-profit community organisations, charities, cultural and welfare agencies, educational organisations, and amateur sporting organisations throughout the Far North and Bay of Islands Districts can apply for We Can Help With That funding.
Applicants must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents. Groups must be established within the area and demonstrate clear community benefit.
Read about previous funding recipients on our Facebook pages.
CRITERIA FOR ALL APPLICANTS
To apply for a grant, you must meet the following criteria:
- Applicants must have charitable, cultural, philanthropic, recreational, or other community-benefiting purposes.
- Provide a completed application form with all supporting documentation.
For events:
- Your activities must take place within the Far North or Bay of Islands districts, or directly benefit our residents or communities.
- You must not request retrospective funding.
- The project must be completed within 12 months of funding approval.
For groups:
- The main entity or governing body must be the applicant.
- If you have previously received funding for a project, you must complete a report before reapplying, unless the project is ongoing.
- Groups must generally have been established within the Far North or Bay of Islands regions for at least 18 months.
For individuals:
- Applications submitted on behalf of teams or groups must come from the main governing body.
- Individual applications will only be considered where the applicant is representing the Far North or Bay of Islands in a solo capacity.
- Standard individual applications are only considered for Far North or Bay of Islands representation purposes.
- For national or international representation grants, please refer to the Special Grants section.
- Individuals must have lived in the Far North or Bay of Islands for the past two consecutive years.
SPECIAL GRANTS: NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATION
To support outstanding individuals from our community, We Can Help With That will consider special grant applications for those selected to represent New Zealand (or the Far North or Bay of Islands) at significant international sporting, cultural, or artistic events.
This category is an exception to standard individual and travel exclusion policies. To be eligible, applicants must:
- Meet standard individual criteria (NZ citizen/resident, lived in Far North or Bay of Islands for the last two consecutive years).
- Provide a formal letter of selection from the relevant national governing body (e.g., Volleyball NZ, NZ Opera).
- Be participating in an amateur capacity (not as a paid professional).
- Clearly demonstrate how funding will be used (e.g., travel, accommodation, entry fees).
This special grant does not cover:
- Costs for supporters, parents, or coaches (travel, accommodation, etc).
- Personal equipment (unless required for participation).
- Costs associated with AIMS Games participation.
OUR EXCLUSIONS
We Can Help With That does not support:
- Salaries, wages or fees
- Operating costs or travel expenses for sports clubs (unless under National & International Representation criteria)
- Office or administration expenses
- Raffle, auction, or prize purchases (including vouchers or gift cards)
- Individual applications from team members or group participants (must be submitted by the main governing body)
- Individual scholarships (unless under National & International Representation criteria)
- Universities or private education providers
- Government ventures (local or central)
- Commercial or profit-driven ventures
- Capital fundraising, debt reduction, or building costs
- Promotion of religious or political messaging
- Research projects
- Major capital works (construction, purchase, lease)
- Debt repayment requests
- Council-maintained sports fields
- AIMS Games-related costs (effective 1 January 2025)
- Requests from outside New Zealand
FUNDING AMOUNTS
There is no limit to funding requests. However, most We Can Help With That grants are under $1,000.
Note: it is uncommon for applications to receive full project funding.
HOW TO APPLY
For detailed application steps and to download the application form, please visit the page below:
How to apply for We Can Help With That funding
WHEN CAN YOU APPLY
We Can Help With That funding rounds are held several times throughout the year.
Applications submitted after a closing date will be considered in the next round.
Upcoming funding rounds – please refer to the top of this page.
HOW OFTEN CAN I APPLY & HOW ARE DECISIONS MADE?
We run up to three funding rounds per year. You may apply in any round, but can only receive funding once per financial year.
Successful applicants will not generally be eligible to apply for the same event or activity in the following year (for annual initiatives).
Applications are reviewed by the We Can Help With That Assessment Committee based on the information provided.
FURTHER INFORMATION
We are proud to support people, places, and participation across the Far North and Bay of Islands.
If you are unsure whether your project is eligible, please get in touch. Even if we cannot fund your project, we may be able to guide you in the right direction.
We publish regular updates on funded projects and community impact, and we also share stories via our Facebook pages. So keep an eye out!