There is $140,000 available for projects through the Community Matching Fund. Photo / File
There is $140,000 available for projects through the Community Matching Fund. Photo / File
The Western Bay of Plenty District Council's $140,000 Community Matching Fund is open for applications.
Until May 28, the annual fund is eligible for not-for-profit community groups that are able to "match'' the council's cash grant in volunteer hours, cash or in kind contributions.
The council's community team manager DavidPearce said the fund was a valuable resource for those groups that stand out as self sufficient in their own right but who struggle to raise finance for bigger projects.
"Raising funds is a constant challenge for community groups and possibly more so this year in the wake of Covid-19 preventing groups from raising funds to the same extent as in the past.
"This is a great opportunity for groups to expand their pool of funds or to get projects completed sooner than may have been possible otherwise."
The fund is split into $40,000 for specific projects that benefit the natural environment and $100,000 for the general fund for social, recreational and cultural initiatives. Most individual applications in the past have averaged from $1000 to $10,000.
Over the years the money has been a key to many groups across the Western Bay getting their projects off the ground.
Last year the Community Matching Fund was temporarily replaced by the Community Resilience Fund, which distributed $300,000 to 49 local groups financially hit by COVID-19.
This year all Community Matching Fund applications must be submitted online – there will be no hard copies available.
Information Sessions:
To help anyone needing assistance with filling out and submitting their application, the council's community team will be holding information sessions in the district's libraries.
• The Centre – Pātuki Manawa, Katikati Library: May 4, 11.30am-3.30pm. Aongatete Room • Waihi Beach Library: May 7, 10am-2pm • Te Puke Library: May 10, 11am-3pm. Boardroom • Omokoroa Library: May 11, 11am-3pm. Whakamarama Room
For 2021 Community Matching Fund application forms visit the council's funding page.
