Grants Rounds: February, March, April and May 2023

February Grants Summary:

$84,000 to Te Hā o Maru Health and Social Services

Otago Community Trust has provided funding of over $1.4m to 40 organisations as it commenced its funding for 2023.

Trustees were delighted to provide a grant of $84,000 to Te Hā o Maru Health and Social Services, subsidiary of Te Rūnanga o Moeraki, to enable them to deliver a 6-week program, Te Pōhā, which will run consecutively throughout the year for rakatahi (young people) and their whānau to connect to the whenua o Moeraki, to mātauraka Moeraki, and mahia tīpuna activities based on seasonal kai and resources from a Māori world view.

In total, Otago Community Trust gave over $1.4 million to 40 community organisations in February 2023.

The full media release for February can be viewed below:

Otago Community Trust’s first funding round of 2023: Otago Community Trust (oct.org.nz)

March Grants Summary:

Funding boost for community-led initiatives

Greater Green Island Community Network received $20,000 towards a range of community initiatives identified through a recent community survey. The Greater Green Island Community Network (GGICN) is a placed based community initiative, explains Chairman Steve Hayward. This funding will support our community events, volunteer development and youth work in Concord and Green Island schools as well as a number of other initiatives.

Other organisations benefiting from grants in March included Hawea Flat School which received $17,057 to assist with upgrading the Hawea Flat School Bike Park, Zimbabwe Otago Society received $5,400 towards community events and $5,500 to Alexandra and Districts Youth Trust towards a refresh to their youth centre.

In total, Otago Community Trust approved over $326,420 to 26 organisations in March 2023

The full media release for March can be viewed below:

Funding boost for community-led initiatives: Otago Community Trust (oct.org.nz)

April Grants Summary:

$17,000 to Dunedin Jazz Foundation

Dunedin Jazz Foundation received a $17,000 boost to support their 2023-2024 Youth Jazz Program which supports young jazz musicians as they move through the various stages of their career. “The support from Otago Community Trust allows us to continue to develop musical talent at a young age and then provide the institutional support for young musicians to perform as adults or pursue a professional career.” Dr William Martin, Musical Director, Dunedin Youth Jazz Orchestra.

“Supporting the Arts, continues to be an important funding area for the Trust under our Empowered Communities pillar” says Mr Kilsby. “The Trust sees this grant as an investment in building Dunedin’s, and indeed New Zealand’s, future jazz performers.”

In total, Otago Community Trust approved over $1,052,968.00 to 26 organisations in April 2023

The full media release for April can be viewed below:

Otago Community Trust Announces New Chair: Otago Community Trust (oct.org.nz)

May Grants Summary:

New Zealand’s only International Science Festival receive a grant of $75,000

Jerome Cousins, director of the New Zealand International Science Festival highlights that the festival is the only festival of its type in the country and the continued cornerstone funding from Otago Community Trust and our other funding partners ensures we can deliver accessible meaningful science to the public at little to no cost.

“Thanks to Otago Community Trust Funding, we’ve ensured over 70% of festival events are free this year, and those that have a charge are kept at a minimum. We encourage people to immerse themselves in the line-up of festival events!” said Cousins.

In total, Otago Community Trust approved over $340,582 to 24 organisations in May 2023.

The full media release for May can be viewed below:

Funding for Science Festival welcomed as it celebrates 25 years : Otago Community Trust (oct.org.nz)