Over the last few months we have been busy progressing the roll out of the three new funds that will support the Trusts’ Tamariki and Rangatahi Strategy. It has been an exciting time and also one of learning as we continue to listen to our community and do our best to support your kaupapa as well as test out some new approaches to funding. I am happy to share with you a brief update on the progress of our new funds.

First Grant Approved for Impact for Tamariki and Rangatahi Fund 

I am thrilled to announce that the Otago Community Trust has funded the first project under our new Impact for Tamariki and Rangatahi Fund. At the June board meeting, Trustees awarded $690,000 over three years to the He Ao Hou i Ōtepoti ki te Raki Charitable Trust for their project, He Ao Hou (A New World). 

A key focus of the Impact for Tamariki and Rangatahi Fund is partnership, both within the project but also between grantees and the Trust and we are excited to begin this partnership with He Ao Hou i Ōtepoti ki te Raki Charitable Trust.

Tamariki and Rangatahi Youth Sector Capability Fund - Now Open

In more good news, the Tamariki and Rangatahi Sector Capability Fund is now open. 

We heard from the sector of the need to invest in your staff, governance and systems in order to achieve the best for the region’s youth. To demonstrate our commitment, we have doubled the amount of funding usually offered by the Trust for capability development. 

The Tamariki and Rangatahi Sector Capability Fund is designed to strengthen the youth sector to allow organisations to grow and succeed.

Key Fund Facts:

👉The fund opens 1st July and closes - 30th September 2022, with outcomes to be announced late October 2022.

👉Not-for-profit organisations working in the youth sector can apply for up to $10,000 for projects that develop organisational capacity.

👉Larger amounts may be considered if the project has potential for significant and wide-reaching impact, is a collaboration of several youth organisations and will impact a large number of staff/volunteers.

Learn more about the Tamariki and Rangatahi Sector Capability Fund HERE

Rangatahi-led Fund Development 

Early next year the Trust will launch a Rangatahi-led fund, providing grants for projects by rangatahi, for rangatahi. The intention is that we will have a group or groups of rangatahi who assess the projects and make recommendations for funding. 

"I aspire to put rangatahi in the driver’s seat of this fund right from the get-go, so I have begun talking to rangatahi around the region to get some guidance on how we should set up the fund in a way that fairly caters for our large and diverse region." 

The response I have received has been insightful and respectful, and young people have been clear that they want the power to make decisions for their local area. They are also excited about the new fund and have no shortage of ideas for projects they want to implement. 

"As always, I am blown away by the skills and passion of the rangatahi of our region and I am looking forward to playing a small part in elevating their voice."

Contact Us

Remember you can contact myself or Sue Stewart at any time to discuss your ideas. 

Community Engagement Advisor - Liz Harburg, email: liz@oct.org.nz 

Grants Manager - Sue Stewart, email: sue@oct.org.nz