Community Funding Assistance

Last Updated: Tuesday, 13 May 2025 14:09 | Published: Monday, 18 July 2022 15:09 | Print | Email

Community Funding Assistance

Please note that this information was provided for the 2022 Local Government Elections and may now be out of date.

There are so many community groups and not for profit organisations within in district, and they do amazing work to support the social, cultural, environmental and economic wellbeing of our communities. These groups and organisations rely on financial and/or in kind support from others in order to do what they do.

What we currently do to support these groups?

We distribute over $600,000 in grants each year in the Long Term Plan. These range from large grants such as Hamilton and Waikato Tourism of $150,000, Matamata and Morrinsville Chamber of Commerce of $125,000 each down to support for smaller groups such as community patrols and citizens advice bureaus.

We distribute $30,000 per year ($10,000 in each ward) in single year grants which are to support community based projects.

We have District Events funding of up to $20,000 to help fund new events or to grow existing events.

We have up to $40,000 funding for Natural, Cultural and Built Heritage projects. This can be used for things such as protecting significant natural features, enhancing the cultural and built heritage of the district, helping community groups with resource consent costs and assistance with protected trees.

Funding is also available for waste minimisation initiatives funded from the waste levy and for project with an arts and culture focus funded from Creative New Zealand

We also provide direction to groups of where they can apply to external funding agencies to assist with their projects.

What's on the horizon?

Challenges

Limitations on funding available

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, funding made available through philanthopic organisations and trusts have declined. In addition, many community groups also choose not to apply for grants and funding assistance from gaming trusts, in response to the increasing awareness of the social impact of problem gambling.

This means there is a greater reliance on council grants and support.

Council's budget is set each year as part of the Annual Plan / Long Term Plan, with grants funded from the General Rates. Any increase to the grant budget would result in an increase to the rates. Council will need to consider how can we ensure our grant funding it is spent in the right areas, to supporting the strategic direction of Council and aligning with the overall wellbeing outcomes for our communities.

Ageing population and declining volunteer base

Community groups rely on volunteers to do their work. Many of our groups are run by retired men and women, who through volunteering continue to contribute in a positive way to our local communities. However, as people these days are working longer, well into their 70s in some instances, it can be challenging to recruit new volunteers.

Opportunities

Through the Pride of Place project we have met some amazing community champions and passionate people who wants to do great things for our community – there’s opportunities to better coordinate and support these people and groups to ensure the efforts are giving best bang for the buck so to speak.
More people working from home, might be feeling isolated so providing opportunities for connecting with their community through one off or programmes of volunteer work may be one way to re-connect and give back to our community. Can we offer opportunities for businesses who wants to support their teams in giving back to the community?

Questions to consider?

How can Council better support, encourage and promote community groups and events in our district?
How can Council empower individuals and organisations to progress their projects to improve overall community wellbeing?

Our Council