MND Support Fund
Financial support grants
Being diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) changes everything. It brings a steep and sudden learning curve, countless questions, and a pressing urgency to make every moment count.
That’s why the MND Support Fund exists – to provide practical, timely help when other support systems can’t. It offers targeted financial assistance to people living with MND, their families, whānau, and carers. Managed by Motor Neurone Disease NZ, the fund can help cover things like:
- Home modifications
- Household help
- Respite care
- Mobility or communication equipment
- Quality-of-life essentials
The Support Fund isn’t here to replace what the government provides – and it’s only accessed once those options have been explored. However, when delays or gaps in public support risk impacting wellbeing, our fund helps to mitigate the financial burden of an MND diagnosis and ensures individuals can focus on what matters most: time with the people they love.
The fund is only made possible thanks to sponsorship from Fulton Hogan, Jubilee Trust, and the generosity of the New Zealand community via donations and fundraising activities, and funding is limited.
Support rooted in advocacy
Every person who accesses the Support Fund does so through one of our skilled and compassionate support advisors. Our advisors advocate for people with MND to receive timely access to public health and disability supports. But when that system falls short – and it often does – they help secure assistance from the Support Fund.
Why the fund is still needed
The Support Fund was created because people with MND were being left without access to the support they urgently needed. That gap hasn’t gone away – in fact, demand continues to grow. As more people reach out for help, and as the cost of living and support increases, the fund remains a critical lifeline.
Thanks to two generous sponsors, we’ve been able to keep pace.
Sponsored by Fulton Hogan and the Jubilee Trust
The fund was established with the foundational support of Fulton Hogan, who continues to be a vital partner in making this mahi possible.
In late 2024, the Jubilee Trust came on board as a second sponsor, matching Fulton Hogan’s annual contribution. Together, these donations help us provide national coverage – with each sponsor supporting a specific geographic area, balancing support across the motu.
Their generosity – alongside donations and fundraising from our community – has enabled us to keep meeting growing needs. It has doubled the fund's capacity and ensured that more people receive timely, practical help.
We are deeply grateful to both Fulton Hogan and the Jubilee Trust for their commitment and care.
Who can apply for grants?
The Support Fund is available to anyone in New Zealand who is currently receiving support from MND NZ, as well as their immediate family, whānau, and carers. Access is based on eligibility criteria and guided by our support advisors to ensure funding goes where it’s needed most. To be eligible, the person with MND must have met with a member of the MND NZ support team and signed a Client Consent form.
What grants are available?
You can view each of the grants below. Each section confirms who is eligible for the grant and what the grant can provide.
How do I apply?
All requests need to be submitted to or through your closest support advisor.
Here’s how the application process works:
Contact your support advisor: Talk to them about what you need.
Check the criteria: If your request fits the support fund criteria, your advisor will give you an application form to fill out and send back.
Provide proof of costs: Depending on what you’re applying for, you may need to provide proof of costs, like quotes or website screenshots. The supplier might also be contacted to confirm details.
For equipment or home modifications: You’ll need an assessment and recommendation from a health professional to ensure what you’re asking for is suitable. MND NZ will reach out to the health professional to discuss their recommendation.
Application review: Once your completed application is received at the national office, it will be reviewed quickly by the MND NZ support fund committee.
Notification: You’ll hear back with a decision within seven working days.
Payment process: If your application is approved, payments will generally be made directly to the supplier. If the grant is paid to you, you’ll need to provide proof of purchase for any grant over $100.
Assessing your application
All grant applications are assessed by the MND NZ support fund committee. The committee follows a standardised procedure for all applications. The decision of the committee is final. Funding is limited, and all applications will be assessed based on need and impact.
Confidentiality
MND NZ’s privacy policy applies to all support fund applications and grants. The personal details of all grant applicants will remain confidential unless consent is given via the application form. Only the persons involved in the application process (i.e. the support advisor, the support fund committee, and relevant health professional(s) where appropriate) will have access to applicants’ details.
If you have any further questions regarding the support fund, please contact your support advisor.
Page updated:
2 June 2025