Burning for a Cause
Community Networks • March 31, 2026
Kia ora koutou,
Burning for a Cause: A Totally Scientific Analysis of the NZ Not-for-Profit Sector’s Relationship with Increasingly Stupid Levels of Spice
There are many ways to describe the current state of funding in New Zealand’s not-for-profit sector. “Challenging.” “Competitive.” “A bit tight at the moment.” These are the polite phrases used in grant applications, annual reports, and strained conversations over lukewarm instant coffee in community halls that smell faintly of damp carpet and sausage sizzles past.
But none of these descriptions truly capture the lived experience.
No, the most accurate comparison—the one backed by absolutely no data but a strong gut feeling and one bloke named Gary who once ate a chilli at a pub in Palmerston North—is this:
Trying to secure funding for a not-for-profit in New Zealand is exactly like eating progressively hotter chillies until you spiritually leave your body.
Let us explore this scientifically.
Stage 1: The Capsicum Phase (a.k.a. “We’ve Got This”)
At the beginning of any funding cycle, spirits are high. You’ve got your mission statement polished. Your strategic plan is looking suspiciously like it was copied from another organisation but with a few nouns swapped out. Your board is optimistic. Someone has brought baking.
This is the capsicum phase.
You take a bite. It’s crunchy. It’s fresh. It’s harmless. You think: Is this what everyone was worried about? Funding seems fine.
You apply for your first grant.
You even say things like:
- “We’re really aligned with their priorities.”
- “Our outcomes are measurable.”
- “We’ve got a strong narrative.”
You are, in chilli terms, an absolute muppet.
Stage 2: The Jalapeño Phase (a.k.a. “Mild Concern”)
A few weeks later, the emails start coming in.
“Thank you for your application. Unfortunately…”
Ah. A small kick. Not unbearable. Not devastating. Just enough to make you blink and say, “Oh. Right. Okay.” You apply for another fund. Then another.
You start tailoring applications. You insert phrases like “community-led outcomes” and “holistic impact framework” with increasing confidence, despite not being entirely sure what they mean anymore.
The heat builds slightly. You’re still smiling, but you’ve stopped making jokes. You are now aware that funding might not just… happen.
Stage 3: The Bird’s Eye Chilli Phase (a.k.a. “Things Are Getting Weird”)
At this point, something changes.
You’ve applied for six different grants. Two have said no. Three have not replied. One has asked for “further clarification,” which turns out to mean rewriting the entire application in a slightly different font.
You bite into the Bird’s Eye chilli.
Immediately:
- Your ears ring.
- Your eyes water.
- You question your life choices.
Similarly, in the funding world:
- You attend a workshop on “innovative funding streams.”
- You seriously consider starting a social enterprise selling ethically sourced reusable tea towels.
- Someone suggests a crowdfunding campaign, and nobody laughs.
You begin to realise that funding is not just about doing good work. It is about narrative alignment, timing, strategic positioning, and possibly astrology.
Stage 4: The Habanero Phase (a.k.a. “The Spreadsheet of Despair”)
Now we’re in it. The Habanero does not ask for your consent. It simply arrives, kicks down the door, and sets fire to your internal organs.
Likewise, your organisation now has:
- A funding pipeline spreadsheet with 47 columns.
- Colour-coded risk levels.
- A tab titled “Contingency (Bleak).”
You have meetings about funding. Meetings about the meetings about funding. Someone says, “diversification of revenue streams” and everyone nods as if this is helpful.
You apply for a grant that requires:
- A logic model
- A theory of change
- Three letters of support
- A video submission
- A blood sample (optional, but strongly implied)
You submit it at 11:59pm and immediately realise you uploaded the wrong document.
The Habanero burns. You begin to sweat through your shoes. Perhaps today is a good day to die!
Happy April 1! 😉
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Early last week Paddy and I stumbled down to popular venue for Non-Profits, the Loaves and Fishes Hall next to St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral for the 7am release of the Salvation Army’s annual report on the State of the Nation 2026.
Kia ora koutou, Running a not-for-profit in Aotearoa New Zealand isn’t for the faint-hearted. Funding pressures, rising compliance demands, volunteer burnout and changing community needs can make it feel like you’re spinning a dozen plates at once. But here’s the good news: you’re not alone. One of the clearest signs of that strength is CNA’s Tick for Governance course, which has now reached a major milestone — over 1,000 users have either completed the course or are actively working through it. That’s 1,000 trustees, board members and leaders investing in good governance and better outcomes for their communities. 🎉 Tick for Governance is special because it’s the only truly Kiwi governance course of its kind. It’s written by Kiwis, for Kiwis, grounded in the realities of how not-for-profits operate in Aotearoa. It’s also proudly supported by Charity Services and the Institute of Directors, giving organisations confidence that the learning is practical, credible and relevant. But CNA doesn’t stop at courses. We’re here to help build capacity and ease workloads through a growing suite of courses, apps and practical resources designed for the real world not-for-profits operate in. A standout example is our collaboration with WiseComply, a smart compliance app that takes a huge weight off governance and management teams. Just like Tick for Governance, WiseComply updates your legislative and compliance requirements as they happen, so you don’t have to constantly chase changes or worry about missing something critical. Less stress, more confidence, better governance, more casual cups of tea. We’re also expanding our highly successful Sharp Strategies series. These aren’t your average sit-and-listen presentations. Sharp Strategies go deeper, offering real-time answers from experts on the issues that actually keep you awake at night, especially with the impending re-registration of Incorporated Societies, the General Election and more. Practical, interactive and immediately useful. Together, these initiatives reflect what CNA is all about: creating meaningful building blocks that strengthen individual organisations, lift the sector as a whole, and ultimately contribute to a stronger, more resilient Aotearoa New Zealand society. Five ways your organisation can get involved: Enrol your board in Tick for Governance to build confident, capable governance. Use WiseComply to simplify and stay on top of compliance obligations. Attend Sharp Strategies sessions to get direct, expert guidance on tough issues. Share CNA resources with staff and volunteers to build capability across your organisation. Make CNA learning part of your ongoing planning, not just a one-off fix. As we head into 2026, now is the perfect time to invest in your people, your governance and your future. Engage with CNA, use the tools on offer, and let’s keep building a stronger not-for-profit sector — together. In the words of a wise, wise man – “To Infinity, And Beyond!”
Patrick reflects on CNA’s 2025 highlights, including the 50th anniversary, membership growth, and ways members can strengthen advocacy in 2026.
