The Top of the South Community Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of its October 2025 GSG Wilson Fund Grant Round, with 28 community organisations across Nelson Tasman approved for a total of $224,558 in funding by the Distributions Committee. 

As the Foundation’s largest fund, the GSG Wilson Fund is focused on supporting vulnerable and underprivileged families across the region. This round reflects the depth of need within our communities and the strength of the local organisations delivering practical, frontline support to whānau. 

“We are proud to support organisations that are deeply connected to their communities and delivering meaningful outcomes for local people,” says Chelsea Routhan, CEO. “Through the GSG Wilson Fund, we are able to back trusted community partners who are responding to complex and often interconnected challenges facing whānau across Nelson Tasman.” 

Funded initiatives span youth development, health and wellbeing, cultural connection, education support, and community resilience, with many programmes focused on reducing isolation and improving long term outcomes for families. 

Grant Applicant: Big Brothers Big Sisters 

Project Name: Salary contribution - Mohua Mentoring Coordinator 

Funding Awarded: $10,000.00 

Summary of Project: Funding to support the Mentoring Coordinator (MC) role in Golden Bay. The MC matches young people with mentors, assesses and trains mentors, and liaises with families, schools, and local agencies to ensure child protection and safety. 

Photo of Tanya (right) and her Mentee, Lily (left)

Grant Applicant: Magenta Creative Space Charitable Trust 

Project Name: Vulnerable Seniors and At-Risk Youth programme 

Funding Awarded: $10,000.00 

Summary of Project: This grant will fund tutors for two weekly programmes: one for at-risk youth (in partnership with Pathways) and a drop-in session for isolated older adults. The programmes provide free access to art materials and tutor support in a safe space for creative expression and social connection. 

Grant Applicant: The Navigation Collective 

Project Name: The Community Navigation Collective 

Funding Awarded: $10,000.00 

Summary of Project: To support the ongoing salary and operating costs for the Community Navigator role. This service, a partnership between Multicultural Nelson Tasman, English Language Partners, and Victory Community Centre, supports migrants and former refugees in Nelson. 

Grant Applicant: Victory Primary School 

Project Name: Victory Homework Academy (VHA) 

Funding Awarded: $10,000.00 

Summary of Project: Funding for a critical after-school programme that provides foundational social and academic support (literacy and numeracy) to over 40 young people aged 5-13, primarily from former refugee and migrant backgrounds in the Nelson South community. 

Grant Applicant: Citizens Advice Bureau Nelson Tasman 

Project Name: Support for every family unit 

Funding Awarded: $10,000.00 

Summary of Project: To provide free, accessible information and advice for families navigating complex issues, including custody, separation, immigration, wills, and family court processes. The service helps people understand their rights and connect with legal or counselling services. 

Grant Applicant: Complex Chronic Illness Support Incorporated 

Project Name: Operational Support for Tasman/Nelson 

Funding Awarded: $2,500.00 

Summary of Project: To provide essential practical resources, wellness packs, and facilitated local group meetups for people in the Nelson and Tasman regions living with debilitating complex chronic illnesses such as ME/CFS, Long COVID, and Fibromyalgia, reducing isolation and fostering hope. 

Grant Applicant: Gymnastics Nelson 

Project Name: Inclusive Gymnastics Programmes 

Funding Awarded: $6,800.00 

Summary of Project: To build on existing community gymnastics programmes for former refugee and migrant children from Nelson South. This funding will support mentoring students (transitioning from intermediate to college) into coaching roles, helping them gain a formal coaching qualification and potential employment. 

Grant Applicant: He Kai kei Aku Ringa 

Project Name: Rangatahi Wānanga 

Funding Awarded: $10,000.00 

Summary of Project: A 6-week intensive programme for rangatahi (13-18) to connect with Te Taiao (the environment) by teaching them skills specific to hunting and gathering kai for themselves, their whānau, and their community. The programme aims to build skills, resilience, and self-confidence. 

Grant Applicant: Motueka Community Development Trust 

Project Name: The Spot Youth Development Centre 

Funding Awarded: $10,000.00 

Summary of Project: Funding to contribute to the employment of a female youth worker at "The Spot," Motueka's only dedicated youth space. Since her employment began, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of girls attending the centre. 

Grant Applicant: Motueka Group Riding for the Disabled Association 

Project Name: KIA TŪ TĀNGATA (Stand tall together) 

Funding Awarded: $8,800.00 

Summary of Project: To provide 40 scholarships for Māori riders who, due to financial hardship, cannot participate in therapeutic riding sessions. Referrals for the scholarships will come from health professionals, schools, Te Piki Oranga, and Te Awhina Marae. 

Grant Applicant: Nelson Women's Centre 

Project Name: Wāhine Connect – Support Services for Vulnerable Women & Families 

Funding Awarded: $10,000.00 

Summary of Project: Funding to maintain and strengthen core social services for vulnerable women and their whānau experiencing hardship, housing insecurity, family violence, and mental health challenges. This includes social work, low-cost counselling, food support, and workshops. 

Grant Applicant: Parent to Parent Nelson 

Project Name: Outreach Programme 

Funding Awarded: $8,000.00 

Summary of Project: Funding to deliver their Outreach Programme across the Nelson/Tasman region. This includes providing tailor-made information, workshops for parents/caregivers, training volunteer Support Parents, and running Sibling Support services. 

Grant Applicant: Perinatal Support Nelson 

Project Name: Supporting whānau effected by PND 

Funding Awarded: $6,000.00 

Summary of Project: To help cover the funding shortage for their office/counselling room and to provide supervision and training for the volunteer Counselling team and Clinical Manager. This ensures volunteer counsellors are well-supported in their work with mothers suffering from PND/A. 

Grant Applicant: Respiratory Support Nelson 

Project Name: Motueka Better Breathers Program 

Funding Awarded: $3,858.00 

Summary of Project: To support the weekly "Better Breather" classes in Motueka, which focus on exercises and techniques to improve respiratory health for those with conditions like asthma and COPD. The grant will help cover costs for the trainer, venue hire, and equipment. 

Grant Applicant: Tapawera Connect 

Project Name: Tapawera Youth Activities Programme 2026 

Funding Awarded: $5,000.00 

Summary of Project: To deliver a programme of youth-focused activities (regular drop-in sessions, workshops, holiday events) designed to build connection, confidence, and wellbeing among local young people in an isolated rural area with limited youth opportunities. 

Grant Applicant: Te Atiawa Manawhenua Ki Te Tau Ihu Trust 

Project Name: Te Hoe Tā 

Funding Awarded: $10,000.00 

Summary of Project: A 4-day wānanga based at Te Āwhina Marae, co-designed with rangatahi to provide a fun and culturally safe opportunity to reconnect with Te Ao Māori. Activities include a trip to Riuwaka Resurgence, water safety, waka trips, mau rākau, and leadership training at Whenua Iti. 

Grant Applicant: Te Tai o Awatea 

Project Name: Te Kura Waka Taurua 

Funding Awarded: $9,600.00 

Summary of Project: A year-long programme for up to 20, predominantly Māori and Pasifika rangatahi, to gain leadership skills, health, and connection through the mātauranga (learning) of Waka Taurua (small sailing waka). It includes regular sailings and four-weekend wānanga. 

Grant Applicant: The Young Nelson Trust (operating as Rangatahi o Whakatu / Youth Nelson) 

Project Name: Taha tinana – kai and hākinakina 

Funding Awarded: $10,000.00 

Summary of Project: A two-part initiative for rangatahi: one part focuses on providing hospitality skills and qualifications around kai, and the second part aims to remove barriers (cost, transport, social anxiety) to healthy physical activity, such as gym memberships and fitness sessions. 

Grant Applicant: Victory Community Centre 

Project Name: Victory Community Māra Kai 

Funding Awarded: $10,000.00 

Summary of Project: Funding for the Kai Coordinator salary. The community garden supports vulnerable whānau facing food insecurity by producing fresh kai for food parcels, community meals, and the local Pātaka Kai. It also provides volunteer opportunities and education for Victory Primary School. 

Grant Applicant: Waimea Mens Shed 

Project Name: Trades Skills & Language Enhancement Program 

Funding Awarded: $10,000.00 

Summary of Project: A six-month mentorship programme assisting refugees and migrants who have trade skills but lack NZ certification or English proficiency. Participants meet weekly with retired, qualified Menzshed tradesmen for one-on-one training, technical upskilling, and English practice. 

Grant Applicant: Whenua Iti Outdoors 

Project Name: Wellbeing in our community 

Funding Awarded: $10,000.00 

Summary of Project: To fully subsidise the cost of an outdoor education programme for disadvantaged tamariki from Victory Primary School, who would otherwise miss out. The programme is free to whānau and includes transport, removing all barriers to participation.  

Grant Applicant: Yellow Brick Rd 

Project Name: Funding for support courses 

Funding Awarded: $5,000.00 

Summary of Project: A contribution towards the cost of running several whānau support programmes run by the Nelson office: WAVES (suicide bereavement), Gaining Ground (supporting families with Emotional Dysregulation), and CUMI (Children Understanding Mental Illness).  

Grant Applicant: Beneficiaries and Unwaged Workers Trust 

Project Name: Benefit rights and advocacy 

Funding Awarded: $5,000.00 

Summary of Project: To continue the organisation's work supporting people and whānau on benefits and low incomes to receive their full and correct entitlement from Work and Income (W&I). This involves face-to-face appointments, advising people of their entitlements, and advocacy.  

Grant Applicant: Cultural Conversations 

Project Name: Voice served - Conversation dinners 

Funding Awarded: $8,000.00 

Summary of Project: A series of welcoming dinners prepared by women in the community during autumn and winter where women from different ethnic backgrounds come together to share stories and build connections. The dinners are designed to address financial hardship, health struggles, and social isolation. 

Grant Applicant: Fresh fm 

Project Name: Ethnic Communities On Air 

Funding Awarded: $5,000.00 

Summary of Project: To cover 12 months of airtime fees for five ethnic community programmes, allowing volunteer programme makers from Fijian, Latin American, South Asian, and multicultural youth communities to share their stories, language, and culture.  

Grant Applicant: Life Linc 

Project Name: Affordable counselling for our community 

Funding Awarded: $8,000.00 

Summary of Project: To cover costs associated with supporting volunteer counsellors and staff with supervision, mentoring, and training. This ensures the continuation of affordable counselling services (priced at a third of private practice fees) for the community. 

Grant Applicant: Presbyterian Support Upper South Island 

Project Name: transport costs for our Enliven service in the Nelson region 

Funding Awarded: $5,000.00 

Summary of Project: To support transport costs for the Enliven day programmes, which support the elderly, including those with memory loss. The service collects people from their homes and brings them to a club centre for activities and meals, reducing isolation. 

Grant Applicant: Meat the Need T/A Meet the Need 

Project Name: Meeting the Need in Nelson/Tasman 

Funding Awarded: $8,000.00 

Summary of Project: To cover a portion of operating costs. "Meet the Need" processes donated livestock and milk from farmers and distributes the mince meat and packaged milk to frontline food banks and community organisations across the Nelson-Tasman region. 

The Foundation thanks all organisations that applied for this round and acknowledges the kind donors whose generosity makes this support possible.  

Community groups are encouraged to stay connected for future funding opportunities as additional grant rounds open through the year.