School Pools Fund
Round open 1st September - 30th September annually.
The amount available for distribution in 2026/27 is $2,102.
The School Pools Fund provides small grants to schools within the Manawatū rating district that make their swimming pool available for community use. The purpose of the fund is to support safe and accessible community swimming opportunities, particularly in rural areas where school pools often serve as the only local aquatic facility.
This fund contributes to the purchase of pool chemicals.
The School Pools Fund operates once per year with applications being open 1-30 September.
There is an upper limit of $300 per application for this fund.
Total funding available is determined through Council’s Annual Plan and Long Term Plan processes.
Applications must be submitted through Council’s online portal.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be a school located within the Manawatū rating district; and
- Operate a swimming pool that is regularly used by the community and provides clear community benefit.
The School Pools Fund does not support:
- Any costs not related to the purchase of pool chemicals.
- Retrospective costs (work already completed).
- Pools that don’t offer community access.
- Private or restricted-access pools.
All applications will be considered at the same time to adequately divide the available fund in the round as per Council’s Delegation Manual. They will consider:
- Priority for rural school pools that have a valid community-access component.
- Number of applications vs total available fund.
Recipients must:
- Use the funding just for the approved purchase of pool chemicals with receipts submitted as proof of purchase.
- Provide a brief accountability summary at the end of the swimming season, showing the extent of community access provided.
Previous Successful Applicants To The Fund
How to Apply
Click the link below to apply online through our SmartyGrants community funding portal or email community.development@mdc.govt.nz to discuss your options.