$140,000 up for grabs for community projects
Ōropi School tamariki are enjoying growing fresh produce, with help from a Community Matching Fund grant.
Calling all community do-gooders!
The Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s Community Matching Fund is now open, with $140,000 available to help fund projects that make a difference across the rohe.
The Fund is made up of a General Fund for social, recreational and cultural initiatives ($100,000) and an Environmental Fund for projects associated with the natural environment ($40,000).
Grants are matched on a ‘50/50’ basis – Council’s half is a cash grant, while the community contribution can be made up of any combination of volunteer labour, donated professional services, funds raised through other means and/or donations.
The amount contributed by Council is most commonly between $1000 to $10,000.
Last year, 32 general and 13 environmental projects benefited from the Community Matching Fund, including Ōropi School who received a $3000 grant towards steel garden arches for their māra kai beds, so they could grow produce for their Garden to Table programme.
To assist potential applicants, Council is holding a series of walk-in workshop sessions at local library and service centres, where people can ask questions and receive guidance on their applications.
The workshop schedule is as follows, with all sessions running from 11:30am to 1 pm:
Monday, 15 July: Te Puke Library and Service Centre, Boardroom
Tuesday, 16 July: Ōmokoroa Library and Service Centre, Whakamarama Room (downstairs)
Wednesday, 17 July: The Centre – Pātuki Manawa, McKinney Room
Thursday, 18 July: Waihī Beach Library and Service Centre
To find out more, visit https://www.westernbay.govt.nz/community/grants-and-funding/community-matching-fund-faqs, email communitymatchingfund@westernbay.govt.nz, or phone 0800 926 732.
