Welcome to our July Newsletter. We hope you are all keeping warm, safe, and well. It is certainly an unsettled time in the community, with Covid cases rising and the onset of winter illnesses.

Otago Community Trust wishes to reassure you that our granting activity is continuing. 

We are proactively reaching out across the region to make sure that organisations working to respond to the ongoing challenges of the pandemic are supported to meet the immediate and emergent needs of their communities.

Granting

We have had a busy couple of months with several board meetings and significant grants being awarded. The first few months of our financial year are busy for the Trust as we consider our annual grants to the social services agencies and regional sporting organisations.

Otago Community Trust was pleased to approve a $600,000 grant to support the Waitaki District Council in May. This large capital grant will support stage two of the Waitaki Museum & Archive - Cultural Facilities Development Project. Staff and trustees had the pleasure of visiting the facility late last year and were impressed with the careful consideration that has been given to the best way to preserve the important heritage of the Waitaki region.

Our June board meeting saw trustees approved over $1 million to 29 regional sporting bodies. This annual funding enables community access to and participation in sport and recreation opportunities for people of all ages. It supports volunteers, coaches, referees, athletes, and administrators around Otago.

The Trust also was pleased to approve its first Impact for Tamariki and Rangatahi Fund grant in June. A $690,000 grant was approved to He Ao Hou i Ōtepoti ki te Raki Charitable Trust which represents several groups and organisations within the North Dunedin Kāhui Ako (Community of Learning). You can read more in the Media Release enclosed in this newsletter.

Volunteer Awards

Although National Volunteer week was last month, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers around Otago who collectively contribute a huge amount to our communities. Whether it be supporting others, improving the environment, coordinating community events, responding to emergencies, or facilitating sports - volunteers are crucial to keeping our communities strong, connected, and vibrant.

Here in Ōtepoti Dunedin we are pleased to be once again working with Volunteer South to support the Volunteer Awards in 2022. As category sponsor for ‘Volunteer Programme’ and ‘Volunteer’ of the Year we are firmly committed to celebrating the commitment and passion our Dunedin based volunteers have for making a meaningful difference in the community. Nominations are now open and can be made online at https://volunteerawards.nz/. Nominations are open until 24 July 2022.

It is our hope that these volunteer awards will in time grow to celebrate all volunteers and the contribution they make across Otago.

Looking Forward

Please make a note in your calendar that our Annual Public Meeting will be held in September this year. Save the 26th of September in your calendar – Cellar Door, Alexandra from 4.00pm. The meeting is an opportunity to meet our trustees, staff, and other community groups. You will also find out how the Otago Community Trust has served our community over the past 12 months.

I trust you enjoy reading this newsletter and hearing about the things we have funded and been involved with in recent months. Should you have any questions regarding funding please feel free to contact me or any member of the Trust team, we are always happy to help. 

Ngā mihi

Barbara Bridger, CE