The FMC Mountain & Forest Trust exists to financially support the work of the Federated Mountain Clubs of NZ (FMC) and our wider outdoor community in ways that reflect the Trust’s kaupapa. It was established to provide a source of funding to help achieve FMC’s objectives, and to create a pathway for people who wish to contribute through donations or bequests.

The purpose of the trust is to:

• fund projects or research relating to mountain recreation or to the conservation and good management of natural environments.
• fund recreational facilities and/or educational facilities for mountain recreation or for the conservation and good management of natural environments.
• fund instruction courses for mountain recreation or for the conservation and good management of natural environments.
• fund study tours and courses relating to mountain recreation or to natural environments.
• fund conferences, lectures and publications relating to mountain recreation or to natural environments.
• fund research and/or scientific work relating to mountain recreation or to natural environments.
• fund the conservation and good management of natural environments.

Over the years, the Trust has supported a wide range of initiatives including FMC’s advocacy work as well as other organisations and individuals.

The FMC Mountain & Forest Trust relies on the generosity of people who care about Aotearoa’s wild places. Every donation and bequest helps the Trust fund important work which meet its purposes.

Leaving a bequest is a powerful way to ensure your passion for the mountains lives on. If you’d like to include the Trust in your Will, please get in touch with us for a confidential conversation.

All donations big and small make a difference to an outdoor life worth living.

If you are thinking of publishing a book or creating a film about the backcountry, planning a conservation event or outreach activity or organising a training workshop for your club, FMC Mountain and Forest Trust grants might be able to help bring your project to life.

The FMC Mountain & Forest Trust offers grants for projects that reflect its purposes.

To apply, complete the Trust’s grant request form, outlining how the funds will be used and how your project aligns with the Trust’s goals. Applications close 31 March and 30 September each year. (Please note: special conditions apply to book grants.)

Previous projects have included:

• Inspiring books: Aotearoa Light by Peter Laurenson (2024), Alpine Panorama; A View to a Climb by Andy Buchanan (2024), Epic by Ray Salisbury (2023), Erebus: The Ice Dragon by  Colin Monteath (2023), Vanishing Ice by Lynley Hargreaves (2023), Not Set in Stone by David Vass (2023), Seeking the Light by Gavin Lang (2022), Uprising by Nic Low (2021)

• Packrafting safety videos
• A Wild for Nature Trust conservation project
• FMC’s training grants and expedition scholarships for FMC members
• FMC’s advocacy work and operational costs
• FMC’s oral history project
• FMC’s Backcountry magazine articles (most recently on fast-track legislation)
• FMC’s legal work to protect Griffin Creek

The Mountain & Forest Trust is governed by a Trust Board appointed by the FMC Executive. Board’s current members are: Jan Finlayson (Chair, FMC Executive member), Megan Dimozantos (Ex officio, FMC President), Stu Gray (FMC Executive member) and Julie Millar, Dennis Page and John Simpson as independent members. Treasurer is Justin LeSueur.

You can view past Trust members and officers  and the latest Performance Report.

FMC Mountain & Forest Trust
PO Box 1604
WELLINGTON 6140

Email the Trust Secretary: fmctrust@fmc.org.nz