Funding Grants

Promotions and Community Grants

Council's Grants Policy provides an overview of the various grants that Council and Community Boards administer and the principles and objectives which underpin our funding activities. Grant applications should demonstrate that they meet the criteria set out in the policy and support at least one of the four aspects of community well-being.

There are two contestable grants – promotions grants and community grants (scroll down for more detail on these below).

How to apply for promotions and community grants:

All applications to these grant funds must be made using the online application form and must be lodged within the notified timeframes to ensure inclusion in the appropriate funding rounds.

Applications to the first round of the 2023/24 Central Otago District Council Promotions and Community Grants are now open. Applications can be submitted at any time and close at 5.00pm on Sunday 10 March 2024, for a decision in May 2024.

Click here to see the meetings schedule

Applications for grants will be accepted for projects/events undertaken after 1 June 2024.

Submit Your Application Here

All successful funding recipients are required to complete a Grants - Report Back (Accountability) form after completion of their project or application. In the case of annual grants recipients must report back annually before funds will be released for the following year.

Accountability reports

To submit your accountability report use this online accountability form

Promotions Grants

Promotions grants provide funding that helps meet community needs/desires for events or activities that enhance the experience of locals and visitors. Funding is targeted to attracting people to visit, stay, or reside in the area for the betterment of existing residents and ratepayers. These grants are funded from targeted rates in each ward.

Applications are made to the Community Board in which area the project/s occur, Cromwell, Vincent, Teviot or Maniototo.

Promotions grant applications will be assessed against the following purpose and criteria.

The project:

Directly enhances user experience
Attracts and retains visitors
Supports approved strategies and plans
Delivers community outcomes
Is well planned and defined
Benefits are demonstrated clearly
Costs are clear and reasonable
Has broad economic benefit (not individual)
The applicant shows organisational capability

Contact:
Alison Mason
Media and Marketing Manager
Email: alison.mason@codc.govt.nz

Community grants

Community grants support community-driven initiatives which enhance the well-being of residents. They fund projects which fall outside of the promotions criteria and demonstrate a clear connection to one or more aspects of community well-being (social, economic, environmental and cultural). Some examples of past successful applications include activities such as community hall operations and community planting projects. These grants are funded through ward and Council rates.

Community grants will be assessed against the following purpose and criteria:

The project:

Clearly demonstrates community benefit
Has a positive impact on Social Well-being or contributes toward the Connected Community outcome in the district
Has a positive impact on Cultural Well-being in the district
Has a positive impact on Environmental Well-being or toward the Sustainable Environment community outcome in the district
Has a positive impact on Economic Well-being or contributes toward a Thriving Economy in the district
Is a community-led activity
Is well planned and defined
Demonstrates value for ratepayers
Builds or strengthens community organisations
Aligns with Council’s published priorities and strategic documents, including contributing toward our Regional Identity - Central Otago A World of Difference.

Contact:

Rebecca Williams
Community Development Advisor
Email: rebecca.williams@codc.govt.nz

Trail Funding

CODC has agreed to provide a contribution to track funding in the Cromwell, Alexandra, Earnscleugh/Manuherikia and Teviot Valley wards. The funds are distributed to volunteer-led trail projects via a relatively simple grants application process. This funding is intended for trail improvements that reduce maintenance costs or repairs/maintenance. It is not intended for new trail projects.

Applicants must demonstrate the need for work, including an assessment of options to complete the work, funding alternatives (if any) and timing for when the work needs to occur. Funding will be allocated throughout the year, with any funds unallocated carried over to the following year.

Please read the supporting information on this page before filling in the:

Online – Trail Funding Application Form

Eligible Conditions to apply for a Grant

Here is a list of conditions you must fulfill before we can consider your application:

Your group must be within the Cromwell, Vincent, Teviot wards.
Your trail project must be volunteer led
Funds must be used in support of trail repairs and maintenance
In most cases we will require two current quotes for the proposed work.

Reporting

If your group is successful with its application, here is a list of things you will need to do:

Spend the money on the approved items within the agreed timeframe
Provide receipts
Return any unused funds within a specified period
Provide a short report of your trail crew and the work achieved, including progress photos.
Be available to participate in any publicity that CODC requires.

Application Assessment

Applications will be received and reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Manager.
All applications will be approved by the CEO of Central Otago District Council.
To ensure applications proceed in a timely manner, copies of constitutions, regular minutes and quarterly financials should be regularly submitted with Council.

Contact:
If you have any questions please get in touch via email at gordon.bailey@codc.govt.nz

Council-administered Grants

Council also administers the following grants on behalf of national funders:

Creative Communities Scheme

Council has a partnership with Creative New Zealand to promote, support and increase participation in arts and cultural activities within the district. These grants are funded by Creative New Zealand and focus on supporting artistic or cultural events and projects which are accessible to the community. These encourage the promotion of arts within the district.

Applications are heard by an Assessment Committee twice per year with application deadlines being March and September each year.

Applications for the next funding round close on Friday 4 August at 4pm.

Creative Communities Application Form

Creative New Zealand Funding Guidelines

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Festival Funding

Update Tuesday 13 June 2023

We've received an update from Creative NZ in relation to festival funding (extra funding has been allocated for this purpose). Festivals must have been held at least once in the past five years to be eligible. When applying, the group must note that the application is for Festival Funding. Please use the Online Creative Communities Scheme application form:

Applications close 4pm Friday 4 August 2023. No late applications accepted.

Contact:
Judith Whyte
Administration Officer
Phone: (03) 440 0618
Email: judith.whyte@codc.govt.nz

Rural Travel Fund (Sport NZ)

The Rural Travel Fund was launched by Sport New Zealand in response to concerns raised by Territorial Authorities about the lack of participation in sports by young people living in rural communities. Council's partnership with Sport New Zealand allows subsidised travel for junior teams participating in local sports competitions outside of school time. Sport New Zealand provides Rural Travel Funding to Territorial Authorities that have less than 10 people per square kilometre, and who wish to participate in the Rural Travel Fund.

Applications to the Assessment Committee are decided annually with applications closing in September each year.

2022-2023 Rural Travel Fund Application Form

Rural Travel Fund Guidelines

Contact:
Judith Whyte
Administration Officer
Phone: (03) 440 0618
Email: judith.whyte@codc.govt.nz

Maniototo Grants (Māniatoto Grants)

If you live in the Māniatoto, you may be eligible for funding from the Community Trust of Maniototo or the Maniototo Trust Fund. These two grants are awarded twice per year when the Trustees and Community Board hold a joint distribution meeting. These funding distribution meetings are held in May and December of each year.

The Maniototo County Council created an independent charitable trust known as the Community Trust of Maniototo in April 1974. The Community Trust of Maniototo fund is administered by independent trustees. Grants made through the community trust support individuals and organisations to hold or attend events and carry out operational activities.
The Maniototo Trust Fund is derived from income received from the sale of the Otago Power Shares in October 2002 that has been invested. The fund is administered by the Maniototo Community Board. These grants assist organisations to deliver capital works and improvement.

To apply for either of these funds, please complete the Application Form.

Contact:
Janice Remnant
Asset Management Team Leader – Property
Ranfurly Service Centre
Phone: (03) 262 8502
janice.remnant@codc.govt.nz

Funding Clinics

Looking for funding for a community project? Not sure where to start and have a few questions? If you are a community group or not for profit organisation in the Central Otago area looking for project funding, then attending a clinic is a must. Come and meet your local funders and discuss your project. Details of 2024 funding clinics are provided in the table below:

DATE	TIME	VENUE
Wednesday 6 March 2024	11.00am – 1.00pm	Alexandra Community House, Centennial Ave, Alexandra
Wednesday 6 March 2024	2.30pm – 4.30pm	Central Lakes Trust Boardroom, 190 Waenga Drive, Cromwell
Wednesday 14 August 2024	11.00am – 1.00pm	Alexandra Community House, Centennial Ave, Alexandra
Wednesday 14 August 2024	2.30pm – 4.30pm	Central Lakes Trust Boardroom, 190 Waenga Drive, Cromwell
Thursday 7 November 2024	10.30am – 11.30am	Roxburgh Service Centre, 120 Scotland Street, Roxburgh