Waitomo District Council has realigned the way it will administer funding grants to the community.

On 1 July, the Community and Partnerships Fund Policy will come into effect, incorporating all community funding options provided by Waitomo District Council and those administered by WDC on behalf of external organisations.

General Manager Community Services Helen Beever says the focus of the policy is to assist the community’s ‘not for profit’ organisations to provide programmes, services or activities that creates a strong social base within the community.

“It will still provide for the same outcomes, which is to contribute to the social and cultural well-being of the community,” she says.

The Policy allows Council to clearly document the way in which it delivers funding assistance to the community and identifies all the areas of funding support that Council provides to the community.

The Policy comprises three funding avenues, which will open for applications in July.

The Single-Year Community Assistance Grant focuses on providing assistance for not-for profit community organisations that support community led projects.  These projects are aligned with Council Plans and Strategies and contribute and support the social, cultural, economic and environmental well-being of the Waitomo District.

The Community Events Fund supports community organisations that wish to partner with Council for the delivery of district events, such as the Waitomo District Christmas Parade and the Great New Zealand Muster.

Consideration will also be given to community-led events or cultural celebrations open to the wider community participation.

The Multi-Year Community Partnership Grant covers a three-year period with grants paid annually.

It supports community organisations that offer services or facilities that make a significant contribution and improve well-being in the Waitomo District.

“Grants will be awarded through a contestable process, excluding Community Hall grants,” says Helen.

“This will enable Elected Members to compare the relative merits of the funding applications they receive and to allocate grants from the funding pools as fairly as possible.”

Waitomo District Council also administers special grants on behalf of external organisations including the Creative Communities Scheme, Sport New Zealand Rural Travel Fund and the DC Tynan Fund.