Finalists Announced for Impact100 Whakatipu 2026 Grants

Four Finalists Announced for Impact100 Whakatipu 2026 Grants

Impact100 Whakatipu has announced the finalists in the running for its 2026 grants, bringing together four very different projects with the potential to create lasting impact across the Whakatipu community.

Now in its seventh year, Impact100 continues to harness the power of collective giving, with local women pooling their donations and collectively deciding where the funding will go. This years two successful organisations will receive $100,000 and $85,000 with the runners up receiving the balance of this years funding pool.

This year’s finalists span food security, children’s health and wellbeing, household energy resilience and access to the creative arts:

Baskets of Blessing – Baskets of Blessing Operations & Distribution Centre
Baskets of Blessing is seeking funding towards the first stage of a new Operations & Distribution Centre that will bring its food rescue, storage, meal preparation and distribution activities together under one roof. The project aims to increase capacity, improve food safety and working conditions for volunteers, and enable the charity to provide greater support to people experiencing need across the Whakatipu.

Life Education Trust – Harold’s Southern Lakes Upgrade
Best known for Harold the Giraffe and its mobile classrooms, Life Education Trust Heartland Otago Southland is seeking funding to upgrade its Southern Lakes Mobile Classroom and improve the accessibility, sustainability and inclusivity of its programmes. The project includes a compliant wheelchair hoist, an interior refresh, a new ‘Big Harold’ mascot suit and a more energy efficient vehicle for its educator.

Queenstown Electrification Accelerator – QEA Household & Community Programme.
Queenstown Electrification Accelerator is seeking funding to expand a programme designed to help local households reduce energy costs and improve energy efficiency and resilience. With a particular focus on renters and lower-income households, the programme would combine workshops, practical education and direct household support, while positioning Queenstown as a pilot community for energy transition in Aotearoa.

Te Atamira Whakatipu Community Trust – Creative Accessibility Programme
Te Atamira is seeking at least $100,000 to embed accessibility across its organisation and creative programmes, removing barriers that prevent people from participating in the arts. The programme has a particular focus on underserved groups, including disabled and neurodiverse people, Māori and Pacific communities, older adults and rangatahi.

Grant Committee Chair Tess Wethey said the breadth and strength of this year’s finalists reflected the many different ways organisations are responding to the needs of the Whakatipu community.
“This year we are delighted to present four outstanding finalists. They are very different projects, but each has demonstrated a compelling need, a strong case for support and the potential to make a meaningful difference.

“Now comes the exciting part – our Impact100 women get to learn more about each finalist and ultimately decide where this year’s funding will go.”
Impact100 Whakatipu was established in 2020 around a simple model: women combining their individual giving to create significant collective impact. Since its inception, Impact100 Whakatipu has granted $1.1million to local charities

Impact100 supporters will now have the opportunity to learn more about the four organisations and their proposed projects before casting their votes at the Impact100 Awards and Gala in October