Sports organisations across Tāmaki Makaurau who need a financial helping hand can soon apply for a share of $3.2 million funding through Auckland Council’s Sport and Recreation Facilities Operating Grant.
The three-year grant (over $1 million annually) supports sub-regional or regional, non-council operated sport and recreation facilities that help increase Aucklanders’ participation in sport and recreation.
Councillor Richard Hills, chair of the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee, says that ultimately the funding will help more Aucklanders participate in community sport and recreation activities.
“A major aim of this fund is to increase the number of Aucklanders of all ages and backgrounds participating in sport and being active. The grant is a three year-funding commitment focussing on facilities that provide easy and affordable community access for populations with low participation rates in sports and recreation and require an operational subsidy to sustain and improve their on-going operations.”
Applications for the 2024-2027 Sport and Recreation Facilities Operating Grant open on 12 February 2024 and close on 24 March 2024.
Dave Stewart, the council’s Active Communities General Manager says sports facility operators that need a financial boost with their day-to-day running costs should apply for the grant.
“Auckland Council encourages sports facility operators who need a monetary top up to help with their operations to apply for a Sport and Recreation Facilities Operating Grant.
“For example, the grant may be used for funding unexpected one-off maintenance or repair costs; ensuring the facility breaks even financially; long term maintenance funding or funding salaries for caretakers and cleaners.
“Funding shouldn’t be seen as an organisation’s sole funding source for an ongoing basis and organisations are encouraged to develop their long-term sustainable operations that are not reliant on council funds.”
Who should apply?
The Sport and Recreation Facilities Operating Grant is open to a range of groups including: community groups with a sport and/or recreation focus, eg sports clubs, community facility trusts and charitable trusts; national or regional sport and recreation organisations; iwi, schools, universities or religious organisations who provide community access to their sport and recreation facilities; commercial entities operating sport and recreation facilities that clearly and directly benefit the wider community.
The full eligibility and funding priorities are explained here.
Key dates
The 2024-2027 funding round opens on 12 February 2024 at 9am and closes on 24 March 2024 at 11.59pm.
Funding decisions will be made by the relevant Governing Body committee in July 2024.
Visit the council’s website for more information about the fund. To discuss your proposal or if you have any questions about the process, contact sportandrecreation@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
The next Sport and Recreation Facilities Operating Grant is expected to open in early 2027, once the three years of grants have been completed.
