Giving back to the local community
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT FUNDING APPLICATIONS FOR 2025 ARE NOW CLOSED
2026 grant round closing dates
We have four funding rounds each year where we consider applications.
Applications are accepted for submission for one month prior to the dates below.
Applicants can typically expect to receive a response within 6 weeks following each trustee meeting
5:00pm Friday
27 February 2026
5:00pm Friday
1 May 2026
5:00pm Friday
31 July 2026
5:00pm Friday
30 October 2026
A living legacy
Our Mission
The Douglas Charitable Trust was established in 2007 by the late Sir Graeme Douglas.
The main focus of the Trust is on education in medicine and health sciences and the health of New Zealanders, especially children. In addition, the trust supports local charitable endeavours predominantly (but not exclusively) in West Auckland.
Giving back
Starship Foundation
An endowment fund was established to help set up and support the Douglas Simulator Programme at Starship Children’s Hospital in Auckland, harnessing the potential of simulation to improve care and outcomes for children. It uses high fidelity, computer driven ‘manikins’ to educate and train both individuals and clinical teams and improve clinical systems and practice.
The Douglas Charitable Trust continues to support Starship Hospital in the PICU and Atrium Rebuild project. The unit will triple capacity compared to previous facilities, allowing for more inpatient beds for acute and planned care for overnight patients.
The unit includes six new treatment bays, and two new treatment rooms set up for sleep studies.
The Day Stay Unit is named in honour of Athlae Lyon, a passionate advocate for child health who gave so much of herself to Starship over many years.
The project is nearing completion, and we look forward to the official opening of the facilities in 2026.
Graeme Dingle Foundation
The Trust has a long history of supporting the Graeme Dingle Foundation - this year a donation has been made towards the Stars Peer Mentoring programme - training and supporting students entering secondary school, providing older students with mentoring capabilities to help the transition for Year 9's and Career Navigator - a programme that helps by assisting New Zealand's young people with valuable information, options and guidance around work and life choices.
Hospice West Auckland
The Trust has committed to providing a long-term annual donation to support the Psychosocial Services division of Hospice West Auckland who provide care for the social, psychological, and emotional needs of Hospice patients and their families/carers.
The Trust has provided funding to HWA who will be opening the new He Whare Korowai - Home from Home facility in late 2025 to better support patients who require 24/7 care but are unable to stay in their own homes.
Auckland Rescue Helicopter
The Douglas Charitable Trust continues to support the projects undertaken by the ARHT. Construction of Hangar 3 is a major project that will enable the Auckland Rescue helicopters to continue to provide emergency medical assistance to those in need.
With the expanded maintenance facilities, ARHT will be able to
perform routine and emergency maintenance more efficiently,
minimizing helicopter downtime and maximizing availability
for missions.
Other notable donations
