Finalists Announced for Impact100 Whakatipu’s $209,000 Grant

Impact100 Whakatipu is excited to announce the finalist charities in the running for this year’s two transformational $100,000 grants. Now in its sixth year, Impact100 Whakatipu continues to show the power of collective giving, with local women pooling their funds to make a lasting difference in the community.

After feedback from charities in previous years, in 2025 the criteria were broadened to include both project and capability growing applications to allow more local charities to apply for the funds. 

After assessing the applications and meeting with each charity, the following five organisations have been selected as Impact100 finalists for 2025:

·         Queenstown Citizens Advice Bureau to introduce a free Immigration Advice Service to Queenstown.

·         Sir John Kirwan Foundation – Mitey – to deliver a proven mental health education programme to local schools building resilience in young people.

·         Te Atamira - Whakatipu Toi Hapori - Growing Community Creativity to fund an additional team member to strengthen its curatorial and community outreach programmes.

·         The Salvation Army Queenstown – to contribute to the Under One Roof project by relocating its foodbank service to the redeveloped ground floor of its Remarkables Park premises.

·         Wakatipu High School Foundation Building Belonging – a wellbeing programme to support the growing diversity of ethnicities at Wakatipu High School.

Chair Tess Wethey said the calibre of applicants had made the decision especially difficult.

“Every one of these charities is doing incredible mahi in the Whakatipu. Choosing our finalists is never easy, but it’s also what makes Impact100 so powerful. Together, our members will decide where these transformational grants will go, ensuring it makes the biggest possible impact for our community.”

Impact100 Whakatipu members will now take time to learn more about each organisation, before casting their votes later this year. The two charities with the most votes will receive the two $100,000 grants at the annual Awards Gala in October, with the runners up sharing the balance of the $9000. 

This year’s awards ceremony will mark $1.1 million granted to local charities since Impact100 Whakatipu’s inception in 2020, proof of the strength of women coming together with one vision: collective strength, lasting impact.

Impact100 Whakatipu is an initiative of 45South Foundation (formerly Wakatipu Community Foundation).