The Trusts (Portage and Waitākere Licensing Trusts) have announced the recipients of their 2026 community funding round, distributing more than $1.6 million across 78 community-led initiatives throughout West Auckland.

The 2026 funding round marks one of the largest funding rounds in The Trusts’ history, including the biggest-ever Your West Support Fund allocation, with more money being reinvested back into West Auckland communities than ever before.

Operating under a 100% community-owned model, The Trusts reinvest surplus profits from their hospitality venues and liquor stores directly into local initiatives.

Growing demand for community funding

This year’s funding round saw The Trusts significantly expand the number of organisations receiving support, welcoming 53% more recipients than 2025.

Through The Trust's largest ever Your West Support Fund, they were able to support 73 recipients, receiving a total of $1,236,881 in funding, compared to 47 recipients in 2025. Nearly three in five (59%) grantees received the maximum amount of $20,000 in funding.

The Trusts Your West Innovation Fund provided over $373,000 in seed and scale funding to 5 community organisations, with an average grant size of $74,652.

Allan Pollard, The Trusts CEO, said, “It’s fantastic to see so many new recipients coming through with strong ideas and a genuine commitment to improving outcomes in West Auckland. Many of these organisations are deeply embedded in their communities. They know where support is needed most, and this funding helps give them the ability to scale that impact.”

Supporting projects creating long-term impact

This year’s funding round highlights the breadth of community-led work across West Auckland and New Zealand.

Funding prioritised initiatives supporting youth, Māori, Pasifika, refugee-background and lower-income communities, with many organisations focused on education, wellbeing, employment pathways and community resilience.

The largest grant this year, valued at $112,896, was awarded to Te Hononga Akoranga COMET for its Growing Guardians programme, which will roll out across six West Auckland schools. The initiative supports students to engage in biodiversity monitoring, environmental science and local conservation projects.

First-time recipient Drowning Prevention Auckland received $99,313 to help tackle rock-fishing fatalities along Auckland’s west coast through a new community-led rescue training programme designed specifically for fishers.

Kindness Collective Foundation received $95,000 through the Your West Innovation Fund to expand Ara Rangatahi, a programme currently supporting 24 West Auckland rangatahi into paid work experience and employment pathways. The initiative is one of many in this year’s funding round focused on improving outcomes for children, young people and families, which made up around 40% of funded organisations.

“With so many incredible applicants this year, narrowing down the final recipients wasn't easy.” says Mark Allen, President of Waitākere Trust. “We look forward to seeing what these groups continue to achieve across the West.”

Greg Presland, President of Portage Trust says, “You come away from a funding round like this feeling really positive about West Auckland. There are some incredible organisations and community leaders out there, and we’re proud to help support the work they’re doing.”

A community-first business model

The Trusts’ community-owned model continues to receive strong support from West Auckland residents, with independent polling by Clarity Insights showing locals place high importance on ensuring money spent in the community stays in the community.

The research found West Aucklanders’ top priorities included supporting local healthcare services (80%) and education and schools (78%). Education initiatives also received the highest average grant allocation in this year’s funding round at $30,000.

The polling also showed 74% of residents believe it is important that money spent locally benefits the local community directly.

“This history-making funding round is a result of our community-first model. When people choose our venues or stores, they are making an investment back into West Auckland. That collective support is what allows us to give this kind of support back to our community.” says Allan Pollard, CEO of The Trusts.

For a full list of The Trust’ 2026 Your West Support Fund and the Your West Innovation Fund recipients, visit here (https://thetrusts.co.nz/blog/2026/05/14/2026-grant-recipients-a-record-year-for-our-funds/)

About The Trusts

The Trusts is made up of the Portage Licensing Trust (PLT) and Waitākere Licensing Trust (WLT), which were established in 1972 and operate under community mandate. Voted in by the public, the Trusts hold preferential trading rights to sell alcohol through their 26 retail liquor stores and 8 hospitality venues across West Auckland.

Under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, their core purpose is the responsible sale and supply of alcohol. As 100% community-owned entities, The Trusts reinvest all surplus profits back into West Auckland through grants and funding for local initiatives. Over the past decade, The Trusts have distributed more than $11 million in community funding.

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