Wairarapa community funding update
For those of you who don’t know me, I am the latest addition to the Planalytics team. Less than a month into my new role, the first case of coronavirus arrived in New Zealand, and as the old saying goes, ‘the rest is history’.
While not all of us started new jobs during this pandemic, we have all taken on new roles. Parents have simultaneously morphed minute by minute between the roles of home-based school teacher, parent, cook, and office worker. Others have found themselves doing everything they can to support those who are vulnerable within their families and/or communities. Some community-based groups across New Zealand have moved at lightning speed to ensure that the vulnerable members of their communities get the help they need to survive in this post-COVID environment.
At Planalytics, working for communities, and focusing on the impact of research at the community level, is at the heart of what we do. In my new role, I have thoroughly enjoyed supporting the team to undertake community-focused research in areas such as community development funding and wellbeing-focused building design. The coronavirus pandemic has also focused our thinking on how we can do more to help local community-based groups in Wairarapa. These groups are at the heart of the coronavirus response, but with escalating demands for services, critical funds are needed to ensure that these groups can continue their invaluable work.
In order to support these groups, we wanted to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the community-focused funding environment for the Wairarapa area. Due to a labyrinthine-like environment of foundations, trusts, charities, and grants, this turned out to be a more complex task than expected! So, in order to keep it simple, we’ve decided to highlight three funds that are currently open for applications. We hope this information will be useful for community groups in the local area to find the funding that they need.
Lottery Community Grants
When does it open? Currently open for applications.
When does it close? 15 July 2020.
What is it all about? Lottery Community Grants are available for not-for-profit organisations with a community or social service focus for ongoing operating costs or projects which help improve the quality of people’s lives in their communities.
Where can I find more information? https://www.communitymatters.govt.nz/lottery-community/
Working Together More Fund
When does it open? Currently open for applications.
When does it close? 3 July 2020.
What is it all about? The Working Together More Fund supports collaborations and mergers that bring long-term benefits to non-profit organisations and the communities they serve.
Where can I find more information? https://workingtogether.org.nz/
Community Grants Fund
When does it open? Currently open for applications.
When does it close? 30 June 2020.
What is it all about? The Local Community Grants Fund supports local Carterton groups and organisations. The Wairarapa Wide Regional Grants Fund supports groups and organisations (often based outside of Carterton) where their activities have wider benefits than just the Carterton community. When allocating this fund, support will also be provided by at least one other Wairarapa council.
Where can I find more information? https://cdc.govt.nz/community-grants-funding-now-open/
We hope this information is useful. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any funding information or queries you would like to share. Just contact office@planalytics.co.nz.
