Alternative Funding Session - Queenstown, by The Funding Series

Join us for the final session in the 2026 Funding Series, a panel discussion exploring alternative ways to resource your work and provide financial sustainability.

This session goes beyond traditional grant funding to unpack a broader mix of options, including social enterprise, government funding, and crowdfunding. It’s a chance to hear what’s changing in the funding landscape, how different approaches can fit your organisation and how to build a more resilient funding mix over time.  

This panel will include

• Lani Evans co-founder of Share Collective and Generous Ventures, the founding CEO of Thankyou Payroll and co-founder and CEO of Fundsorter,

• Dean Hegarty Co-CEO of Responsible Investment Association Australasia, a member of the National Advisory Board on Impact Investing in New Zealand and sits on the GovCo of the New Zealand Stewardship Code, and

• Julie Scott Chief Executive of Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust and a passionate advocate of community housing and is dedicated to sharing the work of the Trust throughout New Zealand

Whether you’re part of a community organisation, a practitioner, or on a board, this is a practical conversation about what’s possible and where to start.

Who it’s for
This session is open to anyone working across the creative, cultural, community and not-for-profit sectors.

Board Members and Trustees are encouraged to attend alongside their teams to support strategic decision-making and long-term planning.

Facilitated by Victoria Crockford

Originally from Hawke's Bay, Victoria (Vic) Crockford has held senior leadership roles nationally in the energy and housing sectors, and is currently co-Director of communications and government relations consultancy, Heft. 

Outside of this work, she is the Chair of Arts Access Aotearoa, playing a role in advocating for the arts to be accessible to all - especially our Deaf and disabled artists and audiences and people in Corrections. She is also a member of QLDC's Climate and Biodiversity Reference Group.

Her passion for the arts and for our local community is what drew her to the role as Trustee on the Three Lakes Cultural Trust. 

FUNDING SERIES FULL PROGRAMME

The Funding Series runs from March to June 2026, with a new topic delivered each month. Session are held in Arrowtown, Wānaka and Queenstown.

To stay informed on other workshops, head to https://www.threelakesculturaltrust.co.nz/funding-series