The board undertook a strategy refresh at the end of 2020 with the aim of sharpening our strategic intention and to clarify the Trust’s priority communities. We are pleased to report that we have now finalised our new Strategic Plan for 2022 - 2027.

Welcome to our November Newsletter. It’s hard to believe how quickly this year is marching along and we are now on the countdown until Christmas!

Year 11 students from Maniototo Area School hit Wellington on their Urban Adventure in early August. Otago Community Trust was pleased to be able to support the Area School and students with this trip, some of whom had never been on a plane.

Below is a quick summary of our recent grant approvals for September and October 2021.

The Dunedin Youth Orchestra (DYO) is Dunedin’s premier amateur orchestra for young classical musicians. Otago Community Trust has for several years provided funding to assist with the cost of the Orchestra programme. This investment provides a pathway for talented Otago youth to develop their orchestral skills and realise their dreams.

An innovative creative wellbeing pilot programme in Waitaki has been extended and now looks to widen its reach around Otago. With initial funding from Otago Community Trust and the Waitaki District Council’s Covid-19 resilience fund, Artsenta has now received Ministry for Culture and Heritage funding to continue the programme for the next three years, adding another session in Oamaru and extending it to Central Otago.

Tamariki and rangatahi are valued, accepted, and empowered to lead fulfilled lives. This is the aim of the Otago Community Trust’s new funding pillar Thriving Children (tamariki) and Young People (rangatahi) in the refreshed strategic plan and it is the driving force behind my role as the Trust’s Community Engagement Advisor.

Otago Community Trust is pleased to be supporting the Otago Southland branch of the Institute of Directors deliver a second Not for Profit Governance Essentials course to help build not-for-profit board capability.

Otago Community Trust provides annual funding to the Skeggs Foundation that enable Otago coaches and officials to grow and improve representative sport across Otago.

There are two Lottery Community funding rounds each year, a reminder that the second round will close on 1 December 2021.

This resource is a starting point to help you understand your role as an officer and how you can contribute to governing your charity well.

Over the last six weeks the team at Otago Community Trust have been working behind the scenes updating and refreshing the Trust website.

Otago Community Trust firmly believes that getting vaccinated is still the most important thing we can do to keep our community and whānau safe.

Philanthropy New Zealand is developing a new service to help both those seeking and distributing philanthropic funding in New Zealand.

Otago Community Trust and the Dunedin City Council are pleased to announce the Arts & Culture Capability Fund recipients for 2021.