Thirty-six community organisations received $115,450 in the first round of the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board grants programme for 2023/2024.
Among the grants is one for the Mountains To Sea Conservation Trust for facilitator and coordinator fees, and transport costs for the Experiencing Marine Reserves Summer Series taking place at Army Bay, Shakespear Regional Park, Awaruku Reserve, Deborah Reserve, Okura-Long Bay Marine Reserve and Waiake Beach.
Other grants were given to Youthline Auckland to train counsellors for a helpline service and to North Harbour Volleyball for coaching fees.
Local Board chair Gary Brown says that grants support sport and recreation, environment, heritage, arts, events and community projects.
“We see the difference that grants can make in our community and it’s great to be able to support as many groups as we can,” he says.
“Because grant applications always exceed the budget available, and there are many deserving projects, we try to fund as many projects as possible.
“We partly fund projects and that can be catalyst for groups to obtain the rest of the funds and resources they need to be able to deliver a programme.
“By making every dollar count, we can help more people and that’s even better.”
A total of 32 organisations received local grants that ranged from $1,000 to $10,000 for a wide range of projects, many with a youth focus including coaching fees, and venue hire or purchase of equipment for a variety of programmes and events.
The board also approved four multi-board grants totalling $9,700. Multi-board grants are for projects or activities that are held or have participants in three or more local board areas.
North Harbour Community Patrol’s multi-board grant is for fuel and vehicle related costs to continue community patrols in North Shore area.
Several grants were referred to the facilities grants round. Facilities grants are offered once a year and provide funding to assist with the costs of planning or developing a facility within the local board area. The grants can be used for needs assessments, feasibility studies, investigation and design costs, and small building works.
Details of the local grants and multi-board grants round one for 2023/2024 are available here.
The next rounds for local, multi-board and facilities grants open on 4 March 2024.
Applicants can apply for a local grant amount between $2,000 and $10,000, and a facilities grant amount up to $50,000. They complete an online application form at aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
Grant decisions will be made at the local board business meeting on 28 May 2024 and projects must start after 1 June 2024.
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