The following criteria must be met by all applicants:
- A community based not-for-profit community, recreation, sporting, arts, social service, environment or heritage organisation.
- All groups applying for more than $2,000 must be incorporated under the Incorporated Societies Act 1908 or the Charitable Trusts Act 1957 or be a legal entity that is registered for charitable purposes.
- Groups that are not legal entities (informal groups) may apply for up to $2,000 on condition they have a bank account in the name of their group.
- Be based in the Christchurch City Council area with funded programmes or services being provided primarily for Christchurch City Council residents.
- Must have provided accountability reports for all previous Council funding and have no unresolved or outstanding accountability issues including outstanding debt to Council.
- Must have had the funding application approved at a properly convened committee meeting and be able to provide this in writing if requested.
- Must provide evidence of the need for the project.
- Have appropriate financial management, accounting, monitoring and reporting practices.
- Have sound governance and appropriate operational capability and capacity to deliver to the level as agreed.
- Be able to commit to collaboration and partnering, where appropriate.
- Groups receiving Council funding at a metropolitan level may only apply for local funding if the project is specifically local and no portion of it has been funded at the metropolitan level.