The MusicHelps' Board are pleased to announce the March 2026 Grant Recipients
The MusicHelps' Board are pleased to announce the March 2026 Grant Recipients
MusicHelps is proud to support organisations across Aotearoa using music to improve wellbeing, connection and health outcomes in their communities.
MusicHelps grants support projects using music to improve the lives of people experiencing vulnerability, ill health, or isolation. To date, these initiatives have reached over 90,000 people through programmes in schools, hospices, rehabilitation centres, and community organisations across Aotearoa.
The following charities have received funding from MusicHelps for 2026:
We Are Loud Charitable Trust
Provides access to music lessons for students from low-income families experiencing challenges such as poverty, mental health issues, refugee and ethnic marginalisation, and other difficult circumstances.
https://www.weareloud.co.nz/charitable-trust
Auckland Philharmonia Trust
Delivers weekly music education sessions for tamariki aged 3–5, alongside early childhood teacher training programmes across Auckland.
https://aucklandphil.nz/community/
Disabled Citizens Society
Provides music therapy and music lessons in a safe, inclusive environment for people with disabilities aged 18–65.
www.dcsinc.org.nz
New Zealand Ukulele Trust / Te Rūnanga Ukurere o Aotearoa
Supports music-making in schools and communities across Aotearoa, including programmes for kaumātua and older adults experiencing isolation, loneliness, diminished wellbeing, and cognitive decline.
https://nzukulele.org.nz/
Glow Kids Trust
Runs music therapy programmes for tamariki requiring mobility support, including those with cerebral palsy and Down syndrome.
https://www.glowkids.org.nz/
True Colours Children’s Health Trust (Hamilton)
Supports children with serious health conditions and their whānau through a range of child-friendly music therapy programmes.
www.truecolours.org.nz
Whanganui Creative Space Trust (The Other Orchestra)
Supports people from all walks of life—particularly those facing health, disability, social, or financial challenges—by providing a safe and inclusive space for musical expression.
https://openstudios.co.nz/studio/whanganui-creative-space/
Chamber Music New Zealand Trust
Works with tāne from the Tairāwhiti Men’s Centre, supporting individuals navigating challenges such as relationships, personal growth, addiction, and violence.
https://www.chambermusic.co.nz/te-whitinga-oro
Malu o Alo Fā (Porirua)
Delivers the Ma’au i Musika / Returning Through Music programme, providing wrap-around support for Pasifika rangatahi (aged 13–18) impacted by sexual violence, directly or indirectly.
www.alo-fa.org.nz
Enliven (Wellington)
Supports vulnerable tamariki, rangatahi, whānau, and kaumātua at all life stages, including those living with dementia.
https://www.ps.org.nz/enliven-nz/
Newtown School (Wellington)
Delivers music therapy programmes for non-verbal students and those with diverse needs, including global developmental delay and trauma-related challenges.
https://www.newtown.school.nz/#learning
Respiratory Support (Nelson)
Runs the Sing Your Lungs Out programme for people living with asthma and respiratory conditions. Singing regularly has been shown to improve lung capacity and breathing strength.
https://www.respiratorynelson.co.nz/
Maia Health Foundation (Canterbury)
Delivers Music Therapy After Stroke – Finding the Beat, supporting stroke recovery and rehabilitation, particularly for patients with complex health needs.
https://www.maiahealth.org.nz/
Creative Kids Trust – Creative at Heart (Blenheim)
Provides creative programmes and workshops supporting people of all ages with diverse physical, developmental, behavioural, and social needs.
https://www.creativeatheart.org.nz/
Christchurch Early Intervention Trust (Champion Centre)
Delivers early intervention programmes for infants and young children with disabilities or developmental delays, supporting their growth and development from birth to age six.
https://www.championcentre.org.nz/musical-play-therapy.html#/
Southern Cancer Society Trust
Provides music therapy for individuals and whānau affected by cancer, including those with terminal diagnoses. Referrals come from healthcare professionals and families.
https://www.southerncancer.org.nz/about
MINT Charitable Trust (Wānaka)
Supports children, youth, and adults with intellectual, developmental, physical, and sensory disabilities, reducing barriers to participation and improving wellbeing through inclusive programmes.
www.minttrust.nz
Christchurch Symphony Trust
Runs workshops for neurodiverse students aged 13–14, supporting challenges such as sensory processing, anxiety, and social connection through music.
https://cso.co.nz/hapori/
Brain Injury Association (Otago)
Delivers Brain Sing Dunedin, a weekly choir for people living with brain injury or neurological conditions, providing a supportive and inclusive environment.
www.braininjuryotagocanterbury.org.nz
To support these charities and more, you can donate to MusicHelps here: https://givealittle.co.nz/org/MusicHelps
