.jpg)
Community groups in Tauranga City will now have more funding options due to changes in the city council’s Community Funding Policy. The council received 106 submissions during a public consultation on the proposed changes.
According to Barbara Dempsey, the Community Services General Manager, these changes allow for better control over the distribution of funds, which include cash grants and in-kind support. The aim is to ensure that the funding is distributed more fairly to support a variety of important community groups and initiatives.
The Community Development Match Fund Small Grant has been increased from $1000, with applicants now able to apply for a maximum of $5000 to support their community-focused projects. A new multi-year funding option has also been introduced, offering a three-year funding period for successful community-led projects.
The council provides a variety of funding and in-kind support for groups with the goal of creating positive change and improving wellbeing in the community. Last year, one of the funding recipients was Your Garden, which received $500 for a children’s therapy garden. The funds were used as part of a horticultural therapy program for neuro-diverse children, allowing the program to continue for the rest of the school year and assisting with site maintenance.
A new eligibility quiz has been developed to help applicants determine what funds they may be eligible for. The quiz covers the full range of council-managed funds and is a useful starting point for those seeking council funding. The quiz, along with a detailed list of all the funding policy changes and the revised policy, can be found on the Tauranga City Council website.
