Otago Community Trust Distributes Over $1.2 Million in First Funding Round for 2024

Media Release

The Otago Community Trust today announced its latest round of community funding, awarding over $1.2 million to 47 recipients throughout the region. The grants will support a wide range of community initiatives, with a particular focus on youth, education, and recreational programs.

Harold the Giraffe is set to hit the road again this year with the Life Education Trust Heartland Otago Southland receiving $10,000. This funding will go towards delivering its health education program to primary and intermediate schools.

Dana Young from Life Education says "with the help of this funding from Otago Community Trust, we can continue to deliver the Life Education programme to tamariki across our region, continuing to inspire generations to make positive choices regarding their health and wellbeing."

Life Education visits schools in a mobile classroom to teach students about healthy living and understanding their bodies. The programme is expected to reach 4,600 students in the Otago area (including South and Central) this year.

Also receiving support is Sailability Otago, which provides sailing opportunities for people of all ages with disabilities. The grant of $15,000 will allow them to purchase a specially designed accessible sailing boat and associated equipment. This will enable them to establish ongoing sailing programs in the Otago Harbour, promoting independence and building confidence through the joy of sailing.

Graham Larsen of Sailability Otago says "As a committed group of cheery volunteers based in Broad Bay, we will now be able to buy our own specially adapted sailing boat. Anyone with a disability or support needs will be able to enjoy the thrill of supported sailing on our beautiful Otago Harbour”.

Kahu Youth Trust received $75,000 in funding to support its broad range of programs for young people ages 11-24 in the Upper Clutha region. This includes after school clubs, holiday programs, mentoring, support groups, skills building workshops, and more. A portion of the funding will also support the fit-out of a new dedicated youth hub being developed in Wānaka.

“We are thrilled with the significant funding boost Otago Community Trust has given towards Kahu Youth Trust. This generous support will enable us to maintain the accessibility of our quality programmes and expand to offer more opportunities for our local youth - empowering them to live their best lives” says Anna Sutherland, Kahu Youth Trust Operations Director.

Other community organisations receiving grants in February include: Pregnancy Help Dunedin, which was awarded $8,000 to provide support and services to whānau in the area; Palmerston Primary School, which received $27,560 to complete construction of their new outdoor classroom; and East Taieri School, which was granted $2,500 for new Kapa Haka uniforms.

"We are thrilled to support such a diverse range of important community initiatives through our first funding round for 2024," said Andy Kilsby, Chair of the Otago Community Trust.

 

Please see the full list of grant recipients below:

Otago Community Trust Community Grants, February 2024
Balclutha	Life Education Trust Heartland Otago Southland	10000
Cromwell	Cromwell Primary School	52500
Dunedin	Dunedin City Council - General	5000
	South Dunedin Community Network Inc	11800
	Aphasia New Zealand (AphasiaNZ) Charitable Trust	3000
	Otago Secondary Schools Sports Assn	3000
	Dunedin Choral Society	8000
	Pregnancy Help Inc Dunedin Branch	8000
	The StarJam Charitable Trust	5500
	ADL	14229
	Abbotsford School	30000
	Otago Cricket Assn Inc	75000
	Progress of Waikouaiti Area	8000
	Greater Green Island Community Network Charitable Trust	644859
	Dance Therapy NZ	2000
	Dunedin Wildlife Trust	12000
	Stage South Charitable Trust	7000
	Dunedin Fringe Arts Trust	83000
	Servants Health Centre Trust	8200
	Kaikorai Valley College	1301
	Dunedin Tai Chi Club Inc	3840
	Dunedin Returned Services Choir	875
	Dunedin Pakistan Society Inc	3000
	Dunedin Friend-Link Trust	5000
Milton	Lawrence Golf Club Incorporated	10000
Mosgiel	Silver Peaks Country Music Club Inc	2200
	East Taieri School	2500
	Silverstream South Primary School	8000
Oamaru	Orwell Street Gospel Chapel Oamaru	2000
	Oamaru Assembly of God	5000
	North Otago Sports Bodies Assn Inc	1500
	Waitaki Menzshed	1500
Otago	OneCoast Incorporated	5000
	Road Safety Education Limited	8500
	The Boys' Brigade in NZ Inc	15000
	Sailability Otago Trust	15000
	Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network	7500
	Dunedin Workers Educational Assn Te Wāhi Ākoranga o Ōtepoti Inc	5000
	TalkLink Trust	3000
	Tititea Performing Arts Trust	2000
	Young Workers Resource Centre Inc	2000
	New Zealand Endometriosis Foundation Charitable Trust	2000
	Skeggs Foundation	2245
	Blue Light Ventures Inc	1750
Waik/Palm	Palmerston Primary School	27560
Wānaka	Kahu Youth  Trust	75000
	Search and Rescue Dogs Avalanche Inc	6500