2020 has been a tough year for everyone in so many different ways but trustees and staff at Otago Community Trust have been amazed by the kindness and generosity shown by so many across our region. Despite the challenges of 2020, let us not forget what we have achieved together and the things we have learnt throughout this difficult year.

Otago Community Trust work closely with a number of funding bodies across Otago and we endeavour to hold funding clinics in a wide variety of locations around Otago throughout the year. We are pleased to report that the 2021 calendar has now been set with16 funding clinics scheduled for 2021.

Trustees and staff took time to visit several community projects in sunny Central Otago in early December before our final board meeting completing granting activities for 2020.

The Otago Community Trust office will be closed from 4pm on Tuesday 22 December 2020 and will reopen to the public on Monday 11 January 2021.

Below is a quick summary of our recent grant approvals over the last two months.

The Te Tahua Whakakaha Cultural Sector Capability Fund is a confirmed $12 million contestable fund run separately from Creative New Zealand.

Despite the madness of Covid-19 and all that came with it, it was great to read how successful the one-woman environmental rock opera Waste Free Wanda has been in 2020!

Every year on December 5, International Volunteer Day, a United Nations-led initiative, is celebrated worldwide. It is an opportunity to champion the impact volunteers have in our communities.

Join Waitaki District Council, Otago Community Trust and Waitaki District Youth Council at the Oamaru Harbour area to say 'goodbye to all that' and 'good riddance' to 2020! Ring in the new year with a great line-up of family friendly entertainment including a kid's zone and food vendors.

New Zealand’s Privacy Act has recently been updated so Otago Community Trust has used this opportunity to update our privacy policy.

While still fragile, the community and voluntary sector is generally more stable and viable than it was two years ago. This survey of 129 community and voluntary organisations in Aotearoa shows that the sector continues to deal with increased demands, increasing costs and has been significantly impacted by COVID-19.