The Community Trust of Mid & South Canterbury is a philanthropic organisation which applies its Trust funds for charitable and other purposes which are of benefit to the community. We provide grants to not-for-profit community groups and projects that make a positive contribution to our communities.
We hold in trust for the Mid and South Canterbury communities an investment portfolio of over $50m. This portfolio had been built up over the last thirty year from the initial sale of the shares from what was previously the South Canterbury Savings bank. The income earned from interest and dividends from this investment allows the Trustees to make grants each year of around $1.2 – $1.7million.
The Community Trust generally provides supplementary funding rather than acting as a principal funding source, supporting organisations by providing funding at a time that best suits their needs. The Community Trust recognises the continuing and invaluable work of the voluntary sector in many of its funding decisions.
The Trust provides grants across the diverse sectors of art & culture, heritage & environment, education, sport and recreation and community. These grants support important and innovative projects that provide improved standards of living, safety, health and welfare. Over the last three decades we have assisted hundreds of organisations through grants totally over $32 million across the community.
In this way the Community Trust realises its vision to support community organisations to achieve a region of healthy, vibrant and caring communities.
The Community Trust of Mid & South Canterbury is managed by a Board of ten trustees, chaired by Nathan Mills.
