What We Support

The Otago Community Trust considers donations to assist projects that provide a service or amenity for the benefit or enjoyment of the public and contribute to community well being. The types of projects we support include:

• Purchase and alterations to buildings
• Volunteer expenses
• Cost of activities and events
• Sporting activities including equipment, sports ground and/or facilities.
• Purchase of equipment

The Trust considers donations for a broad range of activities that fall under six categories:

• Education
  including the support of early childhood education, school and tertiary projects.
  Fact sheet coming soon
• Community Welfare
  This sector captures wellbeing including care of children, families, senior citizens, people with disabilities, health and medical services, victims of abuse and community facilities as well as community activities including hobbies and clubs.
  Information Sheet coming soon

• Sport and Recreation
  including active and leisure activities.
  Information Sheet coming soon

• Art and Culture
  including performances, events, societies and master classes.
  Information Sheet coming soon

• Heritage
  Projects in this sector may cover research, conservation, preservation and restoration of buildings and items of significant cultural and natural heritage value. This includes both tangible and intangible heritage items including customs and oral histories.
  Information Sheet available here. 

• Environment
  including preservation of natural flora and fauna.
  Information Sheet available here. 

The Otago Community Trust strives to ensure a steady, healthy and continuous level of support to the community by managing the resources entrusted to it. The Trust is concerned with prudent investment decisions as well as ensuring donations are distributed to meet the immediate and growing needs of our local communities. The Trust considers that it is important to preserve the value of our original investment to ensure the needs of future generations can be considered.

The Trust has provided more than $36 million in donations over the past five years. These donations have supported a diverse range of projects including building community facilities, supporting art festivals, restoring important heritage buildings, supporting sport teams and coaches and providing vital community services.