$160k available to help power up local projects
Chrome Collective Charitable Trust received funding in 2024 to support vocational training for people with disabilities.
Got passion, people power and a great idea? Let’s make it happen!
Applications are now open for Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s Community Matching Fund — with $160,000 ready to support projects that strengthen, connect and uplift our rohe (District).
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 ($60,000).
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, 28 general and 10 environmental projects across the rohe benefited from the Community Matching Fund.
The General Fund supported a diverse range of projects, including youth development, outdoor education, sports, sustainability, health and wellness, community gardens and community safety initiatives – amongst them the Chrome Collective Charitable Trust in Katikati, which mentors and supports people with disabilities, and building a scooter and multi-purpose track at Pyes Pa School.
Pest control, biodiversity enhancement, sustainable land management, native plant restoration, and community education initiatives were supposed through the Environmental Fund, including predator control projects by the Ōtanewainuku Kiwi Trust and Rotoehu Ecological Trust.
To assist those with a project in mind, Council is holding a series of ‘drop-in’ information sessions at local library and service centres, where people can ask questions and receive guidance on their applications.
The information sessions will be run between 11.30am and 1pm, at the following locations:
- Monday 14 July – Te Puke Library and Service Centre
- Tuesday 15 July: Ōmokoroa Library and Service Centre
- Wednesday 16 July: The Centre – Pātuki Manawa
- Thursday 17 July: Te Ara Mātauranga – Waihī Beach Library and Service Centre
Applications are open until Thursday 31 July, and successful candidates are selected by a sub-committee made up of Councillors, John Scrimgeour, Tracey Coxhead and Allan Sole, from each of the rohe’s three wards.
To find out more, visit westernbay.govt.nz/community/grants-and-funding/community-matching-fund-faqs, email communitymatchingfund@westernbay.govt.nz, or phone 0800 926 732.
