Otago Community Trust introduced a new strategic plan from 1 April 2022 which sets out the direction for the Trust over the next five years. Our plan has been developed to guide the Trust into the future, as we endeavour to work together with our communities and key stakeholders to invest in, assist with and facilitate opportunities for the benefit of Otago.

Welcome to our May eNewsletter. We hope this finds you safe and well and enjoying greater freedoms of life at the orange traffic light setting. Our office is now back open to visitors and like many organisations and businesses we are pleased to be reconnecting with people face to face. However, to protect staff and visitors to our office we require all visitors to be fully vaccinated.

It has been a busy and exciting time since the launch of the Trust’s new Tamariki and Rangatahi Strategy and Funds. The announcement of the ringfencing of up to $10million (in addition to our regular grants budget) over the next 5 years to support the Tamariki and Rangatahi Strategy and the three new supporting funds has certainly sparked a lot of interest and excitement around the region and I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting with many of you to hear about the great ideas you have to improve outcomes for Otago’s young people.

After a hugely successfully first year, The Lake Dunstan Trail has been awarded Great Ride Status. Since opening to cyclists on the 8th May 2021 the cycling route between Cromwell and Clyde has welcomed tens of thousands of bikers. It becomes the 23rd trail on the New Zealand wide network of Great Rides, alongside the new Whakarewarewa Forest Loop in Rotorua.

Below is a quick summary of our recent grant approvals for March and April 2022.

Mana Rangatahi is a youth tribe and leadership waka for people from all ethnicities and backgrounds aged between 18-24 years of age. Developed by Heidi Renata, Co-founder and CEO of INNOV8HQ, Mana Rangatahi is based on frameworks adapted from Mātauranga Māori.

The West Harbour Arts Charitable Trust is a non-profit organisation that fosters and promotes the Arts in Dunedin’s West Harbour community, who have for the past 25 years run an annual residency and art parade in West Harbour schools and early childhood centres.

Cromwell Early Learning Centre (CELCI) is a community owned, not-for-profit, pre-school based in Central Otago. Originally a parent run play-centre (dating back to 1954), in 2000 CELCI became a not-for-profit incorporated society, with the aim of preserving the community approach by including parents in the running of the centre.

Otago Community Trust reminds Arts & Culture organisations based in the Dunedin City boundary that its Arts & Culture Capability Fund will be open for applications from 31st May 2022.

The Lion Foundation is one of New Zealand’s oldest Charitable Trusts. Since 1985 they have returned over $985 million back to the community, supporting thousands of good causes all around New Zealand. Lion Foundation funding is available for charitable, philanthropic or cultural purposes that benefits the local community.

Te Puna Tahuna, Lottery Grants Board is evolving the lottery grants and advisory system to make it easier and fairer for communities, hāpu and iwi to access funding. The Board has tasked Te Tari Taiwhenua, Department of Internal Affairs with this programme of work known as Kia Tipu, He Tipua – Evolving the lottery grants system.

Central Lakes Trust (CLT) invite applications from groups and organisations that are registered with Charities Services in the CLT funding area, that plan to install and maintain an emergency kit. Eligible organisations may apply for a grant of up to 50% of the costs of an emergency kit and associated accessories, up to a maximum of $5,000. Find out more below:

Register with TechSoup New Zealand to take advantage of technology donations & discounts, free and discounted webinars, and a community of organisations strengthening their communities through technology. Receive up to 92% off RRP on brands such as Microsoft, Adobe, Amazon, Zoom, Slack, Dell and more...

The Otago Polytechnic Otago Sports Awards finalists have been nam2ed! This is going to be an incredible night with the various categories hotly contested.

A reminder that Business South offer a range of courses targeted at the Not For Profit sector. These courses are generously subsidised by the Otago Community Trust for Not For Profit organisations.