In 1998 the Trust set aside $1.6million for primary schools in Otago. Each school had a firm allocation which it could access by application for technology in the classroom. The donation was paid on a subsidised basis being $2 Trust/$1 School.
An application has been received for another round on similar terms and conditions. The Principals Association is seeking $1 million on this occasion.
The following guidelines set out how, in response to this application the Trust might support technology in the classroom without an up front commitment to $1 million.
Applications can be lodged under the general donations round which has no closing date. Applications are considered monthly.
Primary schools in Otago may apply for technology in the classroom (as defined) on the basis that if approved, the Trust will match the school funds dollar for dollar. This is higher than the current level of support which ranges from about 20% to 25%.
This arrangement will run until 31st March 2011. This gives schools time to raise the balance of the funds elsewhere.
Under the current conditions of the general donation round an applicant may only receive one donation annually (i.e. in the Trust’s financial year to 31st March). This will continue to apply to primary schools. Schools will need to clearly understand this arrangement is not in addition to any other project they may seek funding for in the same year e.g. playground equipment.
The maximum amount payable under the arrangement is $1,000,000 but this may be reviewed and increased by the Trustees.
Once an application has been approved, the donation will be paid out in one or more instalments upon presentation of invoices relating to the qualifying items. The payment sum will be equivalent to one half of the GST exclusive total of the presented invoices.
Trustees will need to be reassured that funding in this area is justified and not a sole responsibility of the Government. Clearly the Government is the principal funder of education. However, the school community has always been called upon to provide top up funding for all the “extras” schools seek to benefit their students. There is no specific funding from the Ministry of Education targeting technology in the classroom, so schools are required to look to their operational grants plus what they can raise elsewhere.
This Matching Funds Programme only differs from our general donations criteria in that it is offering dollar for dollar on qualifying expenditure.
For further information please telephone 0800 10 12 40
