Seven local community organisations received more than $30,000 from the Geyser Community Foundation.
The foundation distributed $30,750 to the local groups in its capacity as funding manager for the Tindall Foundation in the Supporting Families and Social Services programme.
Geyser's distribution advisory committee chairman Dr Kierin Irvine said projects that supported youth development and community services featured prominently in the Rotorua district community again this year.
He said Geyser trustees had now approved gifts totalling more than $200,000 to a wide range of community organisations in the Taupo and Rotorua communities since being appointed funding manager by the Tindall Foundation in 2013.
All requests for funding are assessed by Geyser's distribution advisory committee, a group of six volunteers representing the Taupo and Rotorua communities, who gave their own time and expertise in considering the applications.
As a funding manager, Geyser is provided with the Tindall Foundation funds to distribute to charitable organisations in the Rotorua and Taupo districts.
Preliminary applications open again on March 1, 2018.
The seven local organisations to receive gifts from the Geyser Community Foundation were:
- Big Brothers Big Sisters Rotorua: Received $3250 to help with the salary of their fulltime co-ordinator. Big Brothers Big Sisters builds strong, enduring and professionally supported mentoring relationships with young people to help them reach their full potential. This is the third consecutive year that Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rotorua has received $3250 from Geyser.
- Youth Projects Trust: Received $3000 from Geyser for the second consecutive year for its initiative, Manaakitanga Rotorua. Anyone aged 10 and over can participate in this uniquely value-based programme which draws on Te Arawa's long and proud history of hosting visitors. Students learn about care, respect and guardianship when welcoming and hosting guests.
- Family Focus Rotorua: Received $3000 to help provide more staff and volunteers to build its financial capability services. The budget advice service has operated in Rotorua for more than 60 years and is currently experiencing unprecedented demand. Family Focus Rotorua will receive $3000 annually for three years.
-Te Waiariki Purea Trust: Received $8000 for a new initiative to introduce career options to young people aged 16-20 who are not in employment, education or training. Youth workers will accompany groups of young people on day-visits to local businesses providing information about work opportunities.
- The Parenting Place: Received $3500 to run parenting programmes to approximately 300 parents and their families in the Rotorua district community during the next year. The gift will help subsidise fees for low income parents, and assist with the costs of running the programme.
- Victim Support Rotorua: Received $4000 to help with its Volunteer Programme in the local community. The gift will help with recruiting, training and related expenses ensuring it has ready access to a pool of skilled volunteers, which is critical to the success of its work.
- Waiariki Women's Refuge: Received $6000 to enable children in need to attend holiday programmes or camps to help build their self-esteem and to have some fun. Programmes will provide a positive experience for both mother and child, empowering them to move forward in life with dignity, and with the ability to be independent.