Where does the Community Trust get its money from?
Community funds, set aside by the South Canterbury Savings Bank and the Trustee Bank South Canterbury when they closed, have been invested. It is the annual returns from these investments that are used to run the organisation and fund the grants.
Who are the Trustees?
The trustees are respected community-minded members of the local communities within Mid & South Canterbury, appointed because they have the necessary skills to help the Community Trust run its business.
How are the Trustees appointed?
Trustees are appointed by the Minister of Finance, or the Associate Minister of Finance, usually on the advice of local Members of Parliament. They are appointed to 4-year terms filling vacancies on the Community Trust that occur by rotation.
How much is granted each year?
The Community Trust usually donates between $1.5 million and $2.5 million per year. The level of the grant budget is dependent on the level of investment returns in the preceding year.
What types of groups can apply for grants?
Not-for-profit community groups can apply for funding. They need to have rules, meetings, good decision-making processes and good financial management and reporting processes. Most of the organisations that apply are incorporated societies, incorporated trusts or registered charities, but not all. Some are affiliated to larger organisations that are registered as societies, trusts or charities.
What types of projects are funded?
Broadly, we fund projects associated with community health and welfare, sport and recreation, culture and heritage, education, and the environment. Check the list of recipients on this website to get a better idea of what we donate to.
What types of groups are NOT funded?
Government and local body organisations are ineligible for funding. For-profit companies and commercial enterprises are also ineligible for funding. Schools, kindergartens, playcentres and teacher-led community early learning centres cannot apply for general grants, although they do receive a formula-driven annual grant for assisting disadvantaged students.
Who makes the decisions on grants?
The 10 Trustees decide which applicant organisations will receive a grant and how much they will get.
How often are grants made?
Historically, applicants applied to a round based only on the level of funding sought whereas our new funding model separates capital and operational funding requests. Under the new structure there are two grant rounds annually for capital projects up to a maximum value of $20,000. There are two grant rounds annually for capital projects in excess of $20,000. There are also two grant rounds annually for operational (programme or event) funding up to a maximum value of $15,000. These changes have been made without prejudice to applicants who hold existing multi year funding arrangements with the Community Trust which would not otherwise fall within the parameters of the new grant rounds and funding limits. There is a seventh grant round open by invitation only to “Special Projects” identified by the Trustees (usually foodbanks). Deadlines for applications and decision dates are listed in full here.
How are the decisions made?
The Trustees review each application prior to their monthly grant round, and then discuss the merits of each application as a group. They compare the merits of each application with other grants made previously and with other applications in the round, always keeping in mind the grant budget for that round. As a group they decide whether an application will receive a grant and how much it will get. The role of the Community Relations Manager is to run due diligence on each application and to seek additional information if required to ensure that Trustees have all they need.
Can an organisation make more than one application per year?
Organisations should generally make only one application within the Community Trust’s financial year, which runs from 1st April to 31st March on an annual cycle. Second applications, within the Community Trust’s financial year, will only be considered in very exceptional circumstances.