More than 160 applications totalling over $4.6 million in requested support were submitted to Spectrum Foundation’s latest funding round – a clear sign of the financial pressures facing disability organisations across Aotearoa.

From this record demand, Spectrum Foundation has funded $330,000 to 17 groups working to remove barriers and build opportunities for disabled people and their whānau.

Funding panel spokesperson Maurice Flynn says the volume of applications meant panel members had to make some very difficult decisions, among the myriad worthy kaupapa seeking support.

“This funding round is the first time we’ve requested applicants to identify how they put lived experience at the heart of decision making. The expectation was this would help identify groups that match our kaupapa. However, even with this criterion, we’ve been oversubscribed,” said Mr Flynn. “That’s a good thing on one hand, as we’re thrilled to see people with lived experience of disability leading organisations and initiatives that affect them – that’s how it should be. However, the volume and breadth of funding applications shows that people and organisations are really doing it tough right now.”

The funded organisations are:

• ASD Dads – to support the development of this new organisation meeting the needs of Pasifika parents with autistic children.
• Glass Ceiling Arts Collective – to support sensory performances for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, performed by disabled creatives.
• Interlock NZ Trust – to help fund a weekly ‘Café Connect’ group in Cambridge, helping foster relationships and connection.
• National Disabled Students Association – to support the national Learner Training Hui 2026 for disabled learner representatives at tertiary institutions from across Aotearoa.
• Parent to Parent – renewed funding for Parent to Parent to deliver Beyond School: Planning to Thrive and Connect workshops for parents whose disabled children are finishing school.
• Pawsible Service Dogs – to support the development of this new organisation working to reduce the cost of access to a service dog and involve disabled people in dog training.
• Recreate – to support the ‘Illuminate Night Market’, an all-inclusive community event that celebrates the talents and value of young people with diverse abilities in Auckland and the employment programme, ‘Moxie’.

Smaller grants have also been provided to Silver Noodle Soup, Whanganui Creative Space, Island of Misfits, Kāpiti Art Studio, WIDance Trust, Horses Helping Humans, Ted’s Space, Xabilities, Sailability Wellington and Clive Morgan Deaf Awards.

Spectrum Group Chief Executive Sean Stowers says the surge in applications reflects both innovation and unmet need in the community.

“When we started the Foundation, one of the key objectives was to support innovative ideas that meet known gaps in support for disabled people. Over the short time we’ve been funding, we’ve got to know some incredible initiatives and organisations working hard in their community to change lives and attitudes towards disability,” said Mr Stowers. “We’re humbled to be able to provide support to the ones listed here. For those that missed out, we want to extend our gratitude for all the work you do every day to remove barriers and support the goals of disabled people and their whanau.”