Capability Funding
As a community funder, we believe it is important to help strengthen organisations so they can better make a difference in their communities.
Purpose of the Capability Funding:
- Building skills and abilities in organisations (both at management and/or governance level);
- Development of business planning which supports long term sustainability;
- Development of collaborative partnerships which contribute to financial sustainability and innovation.
Below are examples of project previously funded through capability development funding.
- Professional development for staff.
- Enhancing cultural capability of the organisation. E.g. holding Te Tiriti training or other cultural capability training.
- Governance training for board members.
- Development of a training manual for staff and volunteers.
- Using an external consultant to:
- review and update policies and procedures.
- develop strategic and/or business plans.
- implement a new system in the organisation e.g. a new finance software or a CRM.
- develop an evaluation framework for the organisation.
Capability Funding is not available for:
- Increasing capability by hiring staff for regular operations;
- Capital expenditure (construction, renovations or repairs, assets such as computers);
- Subsidising shortfalls or other operational funding;
- Allowances, wages or personal expenses for staff, governance groups or volunteers.
Our Capability Funds:
Otago Community Trust has three Capability Funds focused on capability building:
- General Capability Fund
- Arts & Culture Capability Fund (Dunedin area only)
- Tamariki & Rangatahi Sector Capability Fund
Arts & Culture Capability Fund
This contestable fund is jointly run with the Dunedin City Council and is only available to Arts & Culture organisations based in the Dunedin City boundary which are committed to supporting and contributing to Ara Toi Otepoti: Our Creative Future - Dunedin’s Arts and Culture Strategy.
Organisations may apply for up to $10,000 for assistance with arts capability building. The fund’s priority will be to support organisations that are interested in collaborating with others and to support the sustainability, development and innovation of arts and culture groups across the city.
Applying for capability building assistance does not prevent organisations from making a regular grant application to the Otago Community Trust or a grant funding application to the Dunedin City Council.
Fund Opens: 31st May
Fund Closes: 31st August, with outcomes announced in October.
General Capability Fund
This fund is aimed at strengthening the systems of service delivery for not-for-profit Organisations across Otago.
Organisations may apply for up to $5,000 for assistance with capability building.
Capability funding is not available to:
- Schools and education providers
- Organisations that are eligible for the Arts & Culture or Tamariki & Rangatahi Sector Capability Funds
The fund is open all year round, with closing dates of 31st May and 30th October.
Organisations can only receive one capabiltiy grant per year. However, applying for capability building assistance does not prevent organisations from making a regular grant application.
Contact: For further information or if you are planning a larger capability building project please call us on 0800 10 12 40 or email info@oct.org.nz
Tamariki & Rangatahi Sector Capability Fund
This fund is a part of the Otago Community Trust’s funding suite to support our Tamariki and Rangatahi Strategy. This Capability fund is designed to strengthen the tamariki and rangatahi (children and young people) sector to allow organisations to grow and succeed.
Not-for-profit organisations can apply for up to $10,000 for projects that develop organisational capability. Larger amounts may be considered if the project has potential for signifcant and wide-reaching impact, is a collaboration of several youth organisations and will impact a large number of staff/volunteers.
The fund is open all year round, with closing dates of 31st May and 30th October.
Detailed information on the Tamariki & Rangatahi Sector Capability Fund can be found HERE
Contact: For further information interested organisations can contact:
Liz Harburg - Community Engagement Advisor
Email: liz@oct.org.nz
Phone: 0800 10 12 40
Sue Stewart- Grants Manager
Email: sue@oct.org.nz
Phone: 03 479 0994