Four Maungakiekie-Tāmaki organisations were recently awarded a share of $120,000 to support their work in helping communities in need.
Funding comes from Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board’s strategic partnerships grant to help build self-sustaining community organisations as part of the local board’s priorities.
Successful applicants were:
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Glen Innes Family Centre ($18,000 for one year)
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Te Papapa Onehunga Rugby Football and Sports Club ($52,000 over three years)
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Pukepuke ‘o Tonga was allocated ($40,000 over two years)
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Dolphin Theatre received ($10,000 for one year).
Board chair Maria Meredith is delighted with the calibre and diversity of grant recipients in this programme.
“We are excited to be on this journey with these organisations to see them flourish with this support, as they already have so much potential,” says chair Meredith.
“The programme is designed to strengthen our relationships with local groups and invest in their ability to engage with and have positive impacts on parts of the community that we can’t reach.
“It’s built to support organisations to operate effectively so they are in a capable position to attract further funding opportunities that will eventually enable them to be self-sustaining,” she says.
Who are the recipients?
Wellness provider, Glen Innes Family Centre (GIFC) was granted funding for staff and board development to strengthen its governance structure, ensuring the organisation is strategically aligned.
GIFC supports and assists at-risk and vulnerable people by improving their wellbeing holistically. The organisation supports individuals and families through services including counselling, social work, a range of programmes such as parenting support, and operates two social enterprises.
Te Papapa Onehunga Rugby Football and Sports Club was considered a suitable candidate with its deliverables aligning with the board’s objectives which are focused on youth wellbeing. The club proposes to contribute grant funds towards wages for a club employee who will be central to its operations.
Established in 1947 and based in Fergusson Park, Te Papapa club delivers an inclusive programme to a variety of ethnicities within the community with a wide range of offerings and facilities including rugby, squash, netball, touch rugby and in-school coaching, holiday programmes and athletics opportunities.
Pukepuke ‘o Tonga offers cultural and heritage programmes for youth, support services for families, mentorship and development opportunities. The organisation is a commendable candidate with offerings that align with the local board’s objectives to give its people a sense of belonging and celebrate diversity.
Funding will contribute to a paid staff member to dedicate more time to programme delivery.
Lastly, to help Dolphin Theatre get its fin in the door with support, $10,000 was allocated to the organisation, proposed to strengthen its structure and contribute to change management communication and to increase capacity of part-time office administration staff.
Dolphin Theatre is a community theatre based in Onehunga for over sixty years. It is run almost entirely by volunteers.
A smaller grant was awarded to enable the theatre group to focus on its leadership strategy and financial security.
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