Funding sustainability analysis

Single-funder dependency

New Zealand charities whose latest annual return shows ≥60% of disclosed funding coming from a single source — based on charity-disclosed funder data extracted from Charities Services annual returns. The metric describes operational sustainability risk: if the dominant funder withdraws, the charity’s revenue base falls sharply.

Only charities that disclosed at least 3 distinct funders in their latest annual return are included — at 1-2 funders the top-funder share is mathematically forced and not a meaningful concentration signal. The sustained 3-year flag identifies charities with the dependency present in all three of their most recent returns.

Warning cohort (≥60%)
128
charities
Severe (≥80%)
27
charities
Sustained 3+ yrs
51
high-confidence cases
Combined dependent funding
$11.1M
disclosed pool across cohort
What this measures (and what it does not). Single-funder dependency is a transparency and operational-sustainability observation derived from the charity’s own annual return. It is not a deregistration prediction or a judgment about the charity’s management — research published 2026-05-02 found no association between the metric and deregistration rates. Use it to ask better questions about funding stability, not to draw conclusions about individual organisations.

Most-named dominant funders

Funders that appear most often as the single largest source of disclosed revenue across the warning cohort. Charity counts below ≥60% threshold; sector mix shows where the dependency clusters.

Dominant funderDependent charitiesCombined dependent $Sectors
Pub Charity Limited34$3.0MArts & Culture, Community Development, Education +4
New Zealand Community Trust29$2.7MArts & Culture, Education, Social Services +1
Lion Foundation12$712KArts & Culture, Community Development, Education +3
Grassroots Trust Limited11$1.1MArts & Culture, Education, Social Services +1
Aotearoa Gaming Foundation7$186KArts & Culture, Community Development, Social Services
Kiwi Gaming Foundation Limited6$737KArts & Culture, Health, Social Services +1
One Foundation6$193KArts & Culture, Social Services, Sports & Recreation
Four Winds Foundation Limited4$104KArts & Culture, Social Services, Sports & Recreation
We Care Community Trust3$588KArts & Culture, Health, Sports & Recreation
Trillian Trust3$462KArts & Culture, Sports & Recreation
Pelorus Trust3$148KSocial Services, Sports & Recreation
Mainland Foundation Limited3$148KSocial Services, Sports & Recreation
Air Rescue Services Limited2$320KCommunity Development, Sports & Recreation
ILT Foundation1$275KSocial Services
Grassroots Trust Central Limited1$129KSports & Recreation

Where the cohort clusters by sector

SectorWarning cohortSevere (≥80%)Sustained 3+ yrsCombined $
Sports & Recreation531321$5.1M
Arts & Culture27311$1.6M
Social Services2478$2.2M
Education1025$1.3M
Health703$615K
Community Development521$225K
Environment202$71K

Charities in the warning cohort

128 of 128 charities
Charity SectorTop funderTop shareFundersDisclosed poolFlags
The Life Flight TrustSocial ServicesPub Charity Limited64%7$661K3-yr
Life Education Trust NZEducationPub Charity Limited83%3$604K≥80%
Capital Zone Basketball TrustSports & RecreationNew Zealand Community Trust86%5$399K≥80%3-yr
The Wellington Regional Sports Education TrustSports & RecreationNew Zealand Community Trust82%6$335K≥80%3-yr
KiwiOra Community TrustArts & CultureWe Care Community Trust90%3$333K≥80%3-yr
The Sir John Kirwan Foundation BoardEducationGrassroots Trust Limited71%3$325K
Canterbury Agricultural & Pastoral AssociationArts & CultureKiwi Gaming Foundation Limited96%3$321K≥80%
The Pukeko Centre Incorporated Sports & RecreationKiwi Gaming Foundation Limited63%3$280K3-yr
Fencibles United Association Football Club IncorporatedSports & RecreationAir Rescue Services Limited82%5$277K≥80%
Presbyterian Support SouthlandSocial ServicesILT Foundation87%3$275K≥80%
Canterbury Basketball Association IncorporatedSports & RecreationNew Zealand Community Trust72%7$266K
Melville Association Football Club IncorporatedSports & RecreationTrillian Trust68%5$254K3-yr
The Wish For Fish Charitable TrustSocial ServicesGrassroots Trust Limited79%5$242K
Waipuna Hospice IncorporatedHealthWe Care Community Trust65%4$220K
Netball Charitable TrustSports & RecreationTrillian Trust64%3$193K3-yr
Woolston Brass IncorporatedArts & CulturePub Charity Limited68%4$182K
Waikato Hockey Charitable TrustSports & RecreationGrassroots Trust Limited62%4$159K
Age Concern New Zealand IncorporatedSocial ServicesPub Charity Limited96%4$156K≥80%
Cancer Society Of New Zealand Canterbury-West Coast Division IncorporatedHealthPub Charity Limited67%5$149K
Taranaki Hockey IncorporatedSports & RecreationNew Zealand Community Trust82%5$141K≥80%
Basketball Hawkes Bay IncorporatedSports & RecreationPub Charity Limited71%5$139K
Graeme Dingle Foundation Western Bay of PlentyEducationLion Foundation63%3$135K3-yr
Canterbury Regional Basketball FoundationSports & RecreationNew Zealand Community Trust88%3$133K≥80%
The Scout Association of New ZealandSports & RecreationNew Zealand Community Trust72%4$133K
Club Surfcity IncorporatedSports & RecreationGrassroots Trust Central Limited85%3$129K≥80%3-yr
Paremata-Plimmerton Rugby Football Club IncorporatedSports & RecreationNew Zealand Community Trust85%3$116K≥80%
Taradale Community Pool Trust BoardSports & RecreationPub Charity Limited68%3$110K
Bay Oval TrustSports & RecreationLion Foundation62%3$105K3-yr
Netball Waitākere IncorporatedSports & RecreationThe Trusts Community Foundation76%4$102K3-yr
Auckland Badminton Association IncorporatedSports & RecreationNew Zealand Community Trust60%5$100K
Creative Capital Arts TrustArts & CultureLion Foundation63%4$96K3-yr
Waitakere Cricket Club IncorporatedSports & RecreationGrassroots Trust Limited77%3$86K
Bone Marrow Cancer TrustCommunity DevelopmentPub Charity Limited68%3$86K3-yr
Kaitake Community Sports Hub IncorporatedSports & RecreationNew Zealand Community Trust71%4$85K
Waterside Karori Association Football Club IncorporatedSports & RecreationNew Zealand Community Trust72%4$83K
Auckland University Rugby Football Club IncorporatedSports & RecreationThe North and South Trust Limited66%4$82K
The Whanganui Riverboat Restoration And Navigation TrustArts & CultureNew Zealand Community Trust63%3$80K3-yr
Punjab Sports & Culture Club Hastings IncorporatedSports & RecreationYouthtown Incorporated63%4$80K3-yr
HAWKE'S BAY WATER POLO ASSOCIATION INCORPORATEDSports & RecreationPub Charity Limited87%3$78K≥80%
Volleyball Bay of Plenty IncorporatedSports & RecreationNew Zealand Community Trust65%4$77K3-yr
Touch Canterbury IncorporatedSports & RecreationNew Zealand Community Trust66%4$75K
Renwick Sports Centre IncSports & RecreationLion Foundation69%3$73K
Te Waiariki Purea TrustSocial ServicesNew Zealand Community Trust60%3$73K
Otago Community Hospice TrustHealthLion Foundation69%3$73K3-yr
dsport IncorporatedSocial ServicesPelorus Trust70%3$72K3-yr
Hawkes Bay Rescue Helicopter TrustHealthPub Charity Limited70%3$72K
BOWLS OREWA INCORPORATEDSports & RecreationNew Zealand Community Trust71%3$70K
Gisborne Boardriders Club IncorporatedSports & RecreationNew Zealand Community Trust65%4$70K3-yr
Howick Pakuranga Cricket Club IncorporatedSports & RecreationGrassroots Trust Limited80%3$69K≥80%3-yr
Christchurch Early Intervention TrustSocial ServicesMainland Foundation Limited63%3$67K3-yr
Egmont Agricultural and Pastoral AssociationSports & RecreationPelorus Trust90%3$65K≥80%
Womad New Zealand Charitable Trust Arts & CultureNew Zealand Community Trust62%3$65K3-yr
The Yes And TrustArts & CulturePub Charity Limited75%3$65K3-yr
Swim Waikato IncorporatedSports & RecreationGrassroots Trust Limited81%3$62K≥80%
Te Ora Hou Ōtautahi IncorporatedSocial ServicesPub Charity Limited82%3$61K≥80%
Sailability Wellington Trust IncorporatedSocial ServicesPub Charity Limited84%4$60K≥80%
Nelson Hockey Association 1993 IncorporatedSports & RecreationMainland Foundation Limited68%3$59K
Envirohub Marlborough Charitable TrustEnvironmentPub Charity Limited65%4$56K3-yr
Stopping Violence Services (Christchurch) IncorporatedSocial ServicesKiwi Gaming Foundation Limited64%3$55K
Ice Sports Dunedin IncorporatedSports & RecreationLion Foundation65%3$54K
Levin Old Boys Cricket ClubSports & RecreationOne Foundation68%3$54K3-yr
The Humorous Arts Charitable Trust BoardArts & CultureOne Foundation74%3$53K
Waiariki Whanau Mentoring LimitedSocial ServicesGrassroots Trust Limited60%3$50K
Selwyn Netball Centre IncorporatedSports & RecreationNew Zealand Community Trust71%3$49K3-yr
Tennis Eastern IncorporatedSports & RecreationPub Charity Limited62%6$49K
Gymnastics Community TrustSports & RecreationGrassroots Trust Limited64%4$47K3-yr
Napier Group Riding For Disabled Association IncorporatedSocial ServicesPub Charity Limited86%3$47K≥80%
Eastern Bay of Plenty Gymnastics Club IncorporatedSports & RecreationNew Zealand Community Trust67%3$45K3-yr
Pioneer Basketball Club IncorporatedSports & RecreationNew Zealand Community Trust68%5$44K
The Hororata Community TrustCommunity DevelopmentAir Rescue Services Limited70%3$43K
Age Concern Nelson Tasman TrustSocial ServicesPub Charity Limited64%3$42K
Napier Operatic Society IncorporatedArts & CulturePub Charity Limited80%3$42K
four diamonds charitable trustSocial ServicesKiwi Gaming Foundation Limited92%3$41K≥80%
Hamilton Star University Cricket Club IncorporatedSports & RecreationGrassroots Trust Limited62%3$41K3-yr
Wellington Riding for the Disabled Association IncorporatedSocial ServicesNew Zealand Community Trust74%4$41K
Citizens Advice Bureau Whakatāne IncorporatedSocial ServicesAotearoa Gaming Foundation62%3$40K
NZ Family And Foster Care Federation IncorporatedSocial ServicesAotearoa Gaming Foundation75%3$40K3-yr
Manawatu Scottish Pipe Band IncorporatedArts & CulturePub Charity Limited77%3$39K3-yr
Anglican Family Care Centre IncorporatedSocial ServicesLion Foundation65%3$38K3-yr
From One Mother To AnotherHealthPub Charity Limited66%3$38K3-yr
Russley Golf Club IncorporatedSports & RecreationNew Zealand Community Trust67%3$38K
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hawkes Bay Community DevelopmentLion Foundation84%3$37K≥80%
Amitabha Hospice Service TrustSocial ServicesFour Winds Foundation Limited64%3$36K3-yr
Te Puke Tigers Rugby League Club IncorporatedSports & RecreationWe Care Community Trust69%3$35K
The Warrington Surf Life Saving Club IncorporatedSocial ServicesOne Foundation75%3$33K
Free Theatre IncorporatedArts & CulturePub Charity Limited66%3$33K
Presbyterian Support East CoastSocial ServicesLion Foundation61%3$33K3-yr
Dementia Canterbury Charitable TrustHealthPub Charity Limited76%3$33K
ID Dunedin Fashion IncorporatedEducationNew Zealand Community Trust63%4$32K
Mid-Island Gym Sports IncorporatedSports & RecreationNew Zealand Community Trust63%3$32K
Tauranga Arts Festival TrustArts & CultureGrassroots Trust Limited62%4$32K
Cansail Charitable TrustEducationPub Charity Limited70%3$31K3-yr
Big Brothers Big Sisters of TaranakiCommunity DevelopmentAotearoa Gaming Foundation65%3$31K
Exercise as Medicine NZHealthKiwi Gaming Foundation Limited63%3$30K3-yr
Canterbury Community Sailing TrustEducationPub Charity Limited66%3$30K3-yr
Parents Centre AotearoaEducationPub Charity Limited67%3$30K
Wellington Brass Band IncorporatedArts & CultureFour Winds Foundation Limited67%3$30K3-yr
The Orpheus Choir Of Wellington IncorporatedArts & CultureOne Foundation69%4$30K
Aronui Arts Festival Charitable TrustArts & CulturePub Charity Limited79%3$29K
Waimairi Tennis Club IncorporatedSports & RecreationNew Zealand Community Trust74%3$29K3-yr
Napier Civic Choir IncorporatedArts & CulturePub Charity Limited69%3$29K3-yr
Waikato Tennis Trust IncorporatedSports & RecreationLion Foundation62%4$29K
RMH South Island TrustCommunity DevelopmentAotearoa Gaming Foundation82%3$29K≥80%
Bell Block Childcare Society IncorporatedEducationNew Zealand Community Trust77%4$26K
Manawatu Scottish Society Of New Zealand IncorporatedArts & CultureNew Zealand Community Trust79%3$25K
McLeans Island Golf Club IncorporatedSports & RecreationNew Zealand Community Trust81%3$25K≥80%3-yr
Diving New Zealand (Incorporated)Sports & RecreationFour Winds Foundation Limited69%3$25K3-yr
Amped4Life TrustEducationLion Foundation62%3$24K3-yr
Dunedin Civic Orchestra IncorporatedArts & CultureAotearoa Gaming Foundation64%4$24K
Naenae Youth Charitable TrustEducationPub Charity Limited82%3$22K≥80%3-yr
Hockey Manawatu IncorporatedSports & RecreationMainland Foundation Limited67%3$22K
The Performance Arcade TrustArts & CultureOne Foundation61%3$20K3-yr
New Zealand Bands LimitedArts & CulturePub Charity Limited73%4$16K3-yr
ChangeMakers Resettlement Forum IncorporatedSocial ServicesLion Foundation62%3$16K3-yr
Garden Marlborough 2004 IncorporatedEnvironmentPub Charity Limited78%3$15K3-yr
Matamata Citizens Band IncorporatedArts & CultureAotearoa Gaming Foundation62%3$14K
Ellerslie Community Arts TrustArts & CultureTrillian Trust71%3$14K
Pakuranga Athletic Club IncorporatedSports & RecreationFour Winds Foundation Limited66%3$14K
Pawsible Service DogsSocial ServicesPub Charity Limited63%3$13K
Silverdale Tennis Club IncorporatedSports & RecreationNew Zealand Community Trust81%3$12K≥80%
Brass Band Association of New Zealand IncorporatedArts & CulturePub Charity Limited67%3$12K
Buller Cricket Association IncorporatedSports & RecreationPelorus Trust63%3$11K
QCTArts & CultureKiwi Gaming Foundation Limited68%4$10K
Papatoetoe Tennis Club IncorporatedSports & RecreationPub Charity Limited61%3$9K3-yr
Citizens Advice Bureau Upper Hutt IncorporatedSocial ServicesAotearoa Gaming Foundation84%3$9K≥80%
Waikato Society Of Arts IncorporatedArts & CultureGrassroots Trust Limited70%3$7K3-yr
The City Of Wellington Pipe Band IncorporatedArts & CulturePub Charity Limited84%3$6K≥80%
Wellington Organists Association IncorporatedArts & CultureOne Foundation77%3$3K

Each charity links to its full profile, where you can review the rating methodology, named funders, and any right-of-reply correction submitted by the charity. Numbers update nightly from the latest annual returns.

Single-funder dependency analysis: New Zealand charities

128 New Zealand charities show single-funder dependency in their latest annual return, with a top-funder share of 60% or higher and at least 3 distinct funders disclosed. 27 are in the severe tier (≥80% from one source). 51 have sustained the dependency across all three of their most recent annual returns. Combined dependent funding pool: $11.1Macross 18 distinct dominant funders and 7 sectors.

Most-named dominant funders

  • Pub Charity Limited: 34 dependent charities, $3.0M combined disclosed funding
  • New Zealand Community Trust: 29 dependent charities, $2.7M combined disclosed funding
  • Lion Foundation: 12 dependent charities, $712K combined disclosed funding
  • Grassroots Trust Limited: 11 dependent charities, $1.1M combined disclosed funding
  • Aotearoa Gaming Foundation: 7 dependent charities, $186K combined disclosed funding
  • Kiwi Gaming Foundation Limited: 6 dependent charities, $737K combined disclosed funding
  • One Foundation: 6 dependent charities, $193K combined disclosed funding
  • Four Winds Foundation Limited: 4 dependent charities, $104K combined disclosed funding
  • We Care Community Trust: 3 dependent charities, $588K combined disclosed funding
  • Trillian Trust: 3 dependent charities, $462K combined disclosed funding

Data sourced from Charities Services annual returns and shared.charity_funder_concentration_mv (#2726, methodology v1.2). Our datasets may not be complete. Automated analysis can produce errors. If you believe any data on this page is incorrect, please contact us at hello@charitydata.co.nz.

For informational purposes only. Not investment advice.