Legacy Fund

The Legacy Fund supports grassroots rugby to fund ideas that strengthen communities, spark innovation, and honour the past by investing in the future. The Fund was established to distribute the earnings from a $60 million capital base approved by the New Zealand Rugby Legacy Fund Charitable Trust, a registered charity (CC64244).

In 2025, the first round of funding from the Legacy Fund distributed $687,438 across 12 successful applicants, supporting projects that will build long-term legacy within their rugby communities.

The Legacy Fund is a charitable trust, and is intended to complement, not replace, other funding sources. This could be rugby’s contribution to your next long term community infrastructure build.

Who should apply

We want to hear from rugby communities with a bold idea. Whether it’s a much-needed facility upgrade, a visionary development programme, an initiative that protects or enhances the legacy of our game, or a way to uplift your people through rugby, this charity was made to support your long-term grassroots community impact.

Applications are welcomed from eligible, legally incorporated organisations connected to community rugby in Aotearoa, including:

• Rugby clubs
• Schools
• Iwi or hapū
• Community organisations aligned to rugby

Where appropriate, applicants are encouraged to work collaboratively with local or regional partners and must seek endorsement from their relevant Provincial Union (or NZR if national in scope).

What the Legacy fund supports

Applications must align with the charitable purpose of the Legacy Fund and clearly demonstrate legacy and sustainability.

Below is a list of example projects your initiative could focus on, but it is not exhaustive. You may have ideas outside of this list which are suitable for the Legacy Fund. 

• community wellbeing and participation
• rugby development, coaching and training
• capital and facility improvements
• education and capability building
• heritage, storytelling and preserving rugby legacy
• technology that enhances delivery or engagement
• initiatives that strengthen long-term community outcomes through rugby

How to apply in 2026

• Applications are submitted via the online application form only.
• You will be able to print and retain a copy of your submitted application for your records.
• Applications must be fully completed and supported by relevant documentation (for example: budgets, quotes, evidence of funding, and governance information).
• Eligible applications will be reviewed by New Zealand Rugby and the Legacy Fund Advisory Group, with final funding decisions made by New Zealand Rugby acting in its capacity as trustee of the Legacy Fund.

Preparing your application

The Legacy Fund application form is completed online via Microsoft Forms. The form contains multiple sections and may take 30-40 minutes to complete. Because Microsoft Forms does not allow applications to be saved before submission, applicants may find it helpful to prepare responses in advance. Better preparation will result in a more effective application.

To help with your application, check out our Application Guidelines. 

Once submitted, you will be able to save or print a copy of your completed application for your records. 

Supporting documentation (including quotes, approvals, plans, bank verification, endorsements, photos and videos etc.) must be emailed separately to legacyfund@nzrugby.co.nz, including your organisation’s name in the email subject, after submitting your form.

Eligibility and funding criteria for 2026

The following applies to all 2026 applications. They are designed to ensure consistency, integrity, and alignment with the charitable purpose of the Legacy Fund. The Legacy Fund reserves the right to amend eligibility criteria and assessment settings from time to time to ensure alignment with charitable purposes and good governance.

Charitable purpose

Applications must clearly demonstrate alignment with the charitable purpose of the Legacy Fund. Applications that do not meet this requirement will not proceed further.

Provincial Union eligibility

For the 2026 application rounds, Provincial Unions are not eligible to apply, in order to prioritise direct grassroots and community-level impact.

Organisational requirements

Applicants must:

• be a legally incorporated entity or, where an application is driven by an individual or informal group, the application must be submitted via a legally incorporated host entity that will receive the funding and enter into the Grant Agreement. The host entity will be responsible for governance, financial accountability, and compliance with the Grant Agreement.
• demonstrate appropriate governance and accountability
• provide verified bank account details as part of the application process

Financial information and your contribution

Funding requests must be properly costed and supported by evidence such as quotes and forecasts. Applicants must clearly justify why the amount requested is appropriate.

Applicants are encouraged to clearly demonstrate:

• their organisation’s financial contribution, and
• any contribution in kind, such as volunteer time, expertise, donated materials, community effort, or discounted services.

These contributions are an important part of understanding the overall value and commitment behind a project — do not underestimate the value of your mahi.

Legacy and sustainability

Applications must demonstrate:

• enduring benefit beyond the funding period, and
• how outcomes will be sustained over time.

Capital projects

Capital projects may be supported where applicants can demonstrate:

• co-funding and/or meaningful contributions from other funders
• clear community benefit
• long-term maintenance and sustainability planning

Funding parameters

• The maximum amount per application is $100,000.
• As a guiding principle, the Legacy Fund is intended to support and help complete projects that already have funding commitments.
• While co-funding is encouraged, applications will be assessed on their individual merits, including sustainability, readiness for delivery, and alignment with the charitable purpose of the Legacy Fund.
• Applicants are expected to demonstrate their own financial contribution and the use of other funding sources, particularly for capital projects.
• Applications must be endorsed by the relevant Provincial Union, or NZR if national in scope.

Roles and salary funding

• Funding for roles may be considered for up to one year only.
• Applicants must clearly demonstrate how the role will be funded and sustained beyond year one.
• The onus sits with the applicant to demonstrate sustainability and long-term legacy impact.
• Approval remains discretionary, and is assessed case-by-case.

Application rounds and timing

Two application rounds will be held in 2026.

Round 1: Applications open Monday 9 March 2026
Successful Round 1 applications are expected to be announced after 17 July 2026, following Trustee consideration.

Round 2: Applications are expected to open early August 2026

Further timing details will be published once confirmed - keep an eye on NZR Social Media channels. 

Questions? 

We understand you might have questions about if your project is suitable for the Legacy Fund, or the process itself. You can download our FAQs here, or take a look at the questions below.