Few in the philanthropic sector consider Maori when they are giving away money, a study suggests.
It is estimated that donations to tangata whenua in 2012 was $289 million, or just over 12 percent of total funding.
The findings are in a study commissioned by charitable body JR McKenzie Trust and conducted by the economic research company BERL.
Just over 100 grant-makers were surveyed, and half of them revealed they did not have a specific policy or strategy for giving to Maori. Only 21 percent said they did; the rest did not give a response.
JR McKenzie Trust said the research indicated there was limited engagement between philanthropists and Maori.
The study found that 64 percent of funding to tangata whenua was from personal donation and bequests. A further 31 percent came from trusts and foundations; 6 percent was from business.
Education and research activities attracted the most money, which were followed by marae.
Responses to the survey were received from 108 grant makers and 484 grant recipients.