Applications close on October 31 for the dedicated Central Lakes Trust pot set aside to support anniversary projects.
Application forms and criteria are available from the trust or Gold 150 websites.
Unincorporated groups can still apply for funding under $2000.
Gold 150 co-ordinator Julie Hughes, of Arrowtown, doubled as the co-ordinator of Arrowtown's separate but linked 150th anniversary festival next year. The veteran Arrowtown Autumn Festival organiser was working with the Queenstown Lakes District Council, the Department of Conservation, Glenorchy and its 150th anniversary plans for next year, plus Real Journeys, which will celebrate the centenary of the steamship Earnslaw, on October 14 to 22, next year.
"For Gold 150, I'm trying to make sure community groups are thinking how they can come aboard and be part of the celebrations," Mrs Hughes said.
"We've had a lot of interest from arts clubs to historical societies to schools, all looking at different elements. We're looking for a wide range of projects throughout the region."
Although the programme of events was yet to be finalised, the year of anniversary festivities will officially begin with a gold rush-themed Lake Hayes A and P Show, in January.
All 26 schools in the area were expected to focus on the discovery of gold which shaped their communities. Storytellers would visit classrooms to bring history to life.
The Lakes District Museum, Arrowtown, will host a gold-related exhibition. The Alexandra Musical Society will perform the gold-mining stage musical Rush!
Gold-panning competitions for families and schools were tipped, along with four-wheel-drive tours to Macetown plus costumed theatrical recreations of pioneering life in the Chinese Settlement and on the Arrow River embankment.
Talks were continuing with commercial Wakatipu tourism and accommodation operators.
"This is something that's important to the region and everyone can be a part of it," Mrs Hughes said.
"We want to create memories for our younger people and new people here."
Mrs Hughes can be contacted via julie@gold150.org.nz.
