All-of-Population Suicide Prevention Community Fund

The All-of-Population Suicide Prevention Community Fund backs projects that strengthen collective wellbeing and help people through their toughest moments.
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Got an idea to reduce suicide risk in your community, strengthen wellbeing, or provide support if a suicide happens? The All-of-Population Suicide Prevention Community Fund might be exactly what you’re looking for.

The All-of-Population Suicide Prevention Community Fund is guided by Every Life Matters – He Tapu te Oranga o ia Tangata and contributes to the shared vision of reducing suicide and improving wellbeing for all people in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Funding of $40,000 to $100,000 per project is available to help transform your idea into real, long-lasting impact. 

APPLY NOW

Who is the Fund for?

The Fund is open to all communities, because community is one of our most powerful tools for preventing suicide. We're supporting initiatives that help prevent suicide, reduce distress, and respond effectively when suicide occurs. Special focus is placed on communities that may experience increased suicide risk, including:

  • Māori
  • Pasifika
  • Maternal communities (including perinatal and postnatal mothers)
  • Men (particularly those experiencing social isolation, financial stress, or reluctance to seek support)
  • Youth and rangatahi (10–24 years)
  • Rainbow/LGBTQIA+ communities  
  • Rural communities
Mental Health Foundation

We also welcome applications from other communities at increased suicide risk, where the need is clearly identified and supported by available data (for example, cultural communities or people living with disabilities).

 Projects should support at least one priority population group and be guided by the voices, needs, and lived experience of the people they serve. 

Across all priority groups, we value culturally responsive approaches and ask applicants to clearly outline how these will be embedded in their work. 

What the Fund supports

The Fund supports community-led projects that:

  • Provide support to communities experiencing suicide risk and/or suicide bereavement 
  • Build inclusive communities and strengthen community resilience 
  • Encourage a focus on mental wellbeing 
  • Connect people and whānau to available support services 
The Fund supports community-led projects that:

Who can apply

We welcome applications from:

  • Community-led organisations, non-profits, and charitable trusts 
  • Informal community groups or collectives 
  • Iwi, hāpū, marae 
  • Faith-based groups
  •  Schools, clubs, and community networks 
  • Individuals, where the initiative is community-led 

Grant amounts and timeframe

Mental Health Foundation

Grant size: $40,000 – $100,000 

Total funding pool: $1.5 million for the 2026/2027 round 

Projects must be delivered within the agreed timeframe and budget. Funding will be provided in phases to support monitoring and minimise financial risk. 

Grant selection criteria

Applications will be assessed against the following criteria: 

Alignment with outcomes frameworks 

Including alignment with Every Life Matters – He Tapu te Oranga o ia Tangata and at least one objective of the Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2025–2029: 

1. Improve access to suicide prevention and postvention supports 

2. Grow a capable and confident suicide prevention and postvention workforce 

3. Strengthen the focus on prevention and early intervention 

4. Improve the effectiveness of suicide prevention and our understanding of suicide 

Community need and responsiveness 

Projects must clearly demonstrate they are shaped by community needs, aspirations, and cultural contexts. 

Community-led design 

Initiatives are designed and delivered by and/or with people from the priority population group(s), including voices of lived experience where appropriate. 

Impact and sustainability 

Projects should demonstrate potential for lasting benefit and reflect best practice approaches – such as whānau-centred, trauma-informed, culturally grounded, and community-led models. 

Feasibility and resilience 

Applicants must show the project can be delivered within time and budget and outline strategies to manage potential risks or barriers. 

Commitment to requirements 

Successful applicants must agree to reporting, evaluation, and promotional requirements, scaled to the size of the grant. 

Mental Health Foundation

What we cannot fund

Applications will not be eligible if they include: 

  • General operating costs such as ongoing salaries or wages (Project-related administration and overheads are eligible but capped at 20% of total project costs) 
  • Personal or capital items such as cars, computers, or tablets 
  • Activities already funded elsewhere, including Māori or Pasifika Suicide Prevention Community Funds (current or past).  
  • New initiatives within previously funded projects may be considered if they demonstrate sustainable community benefit. 
  • Study costs or service delivery costs 
  • Existing suicide prevention/response courses, or mental health first aid courses 
  • Projects delivered outside Aotearoa New Zealand 
  • One-off events, unless a clear and lasting impact is demonstrated 

Reporting and evaluation

All funded projects are required to:

  • Provide progress and outcome reports (scaled to grant size) 
  • Submit a detailed budget and report on actual expenditure 
  • Complete a final accountability report 
  • Participate in evaluation or quality assurance processes as required 

The All-of-Population Suicide Prevention Community Fund team will visit or review projects throughout the year, as a way to support learning, accountability, and ongoing improvement.  You will also be connected with a mentor to assist you with best practice suicide prevention approaches and provide guidance and troubleshooting throughout your project. 

All funded projects are required to:

Apply now

Connected communities help us feel supported, valued, and able to get through tough times together. 

When people feel connected and seen, they’re more likely to reach out for help, and less likely to experience mental distress. 

If you have a vision to improve your community’s wellbeing, reduce suicide risk, or support those affected by suicide loss – this opportunity can help bring your kaupapa to life. 

Applications are open from 10 February to 17 March.

APPLY NOW

If you have any pātai, or you’d like to chat through your idea with us, please get in touch at spfund@mentalhealth.org.nz. We’re here to support you every step of the way. 

 

Join our webinars to find out more

Want to find out more or ask questions before you apply?

Join one of our free information webinars on 17 February or 19 February. We’ll walk through the Fund, explain what we’re looking for, and answer your questions live. It’s a great chance to check whether your idea is a good fit and get clarity before you apply. 

Register below for the time that suits you best:  

ZOOM Suicide Prevention Fund - 17th Feb 2026, 1 pm - 2 pm 

ZOOM Suicide Prevention Grants - 19th Feb 2026, 11 am - 12 pm 

Stay in the loop

Sign up to our email database below to stay in the know and receive regular updates about the Fund: