Get smart applying for grants

Community groups and sports clubs need to be smarter when it comes to applying for grant funds, Porirua Community Trust member Eleanor Cater says.

Figures show grants from PCT to community groups reduced 25 per cent to $1.77 million in the 12 months to August, but there is hope to turn this around in the next three years.

The trust recently teamed up with Trust House Foundation, based in the Wairarapa, one example of change that has affected the organisation.

Porirua Community Trust only has two venues to get gaming money from - The Ledge in Serlby Pl, which could re-open this month after undergoing earthquake strengthening work, and the 888 Sports Bar in Tawa.

The other gaming venues in the Porirua basin are linked to New Zealand Community Trust, Pelorus Trust, Pub Charity and First Sovereign, so the options are certainly there for different places to apply, she said.

‘‘We would love to welcome more venues to join us,’’ Cater said.

‘‘A lot of local clubs rely on Porirua Community Trust and the now defunct Mana Community Grants Foundation, but they do need to spread their net wider.

‘‘But grant funding should only ever be one part of your fundraising - you will never be truly sustainable if grant funding is your only source of income.’’

Cater said an organisation that is regularly applying for grants, or looking to for the first time, should have a dedicated person to do so.

Prime examples of recent successful grant applicants were Northern United Rugby Club and Kapi Mana Netball Centre.

Cater suggested trying to find the right balance when applying.

‘‘We don’t want to see 50 pages to support the application, which we don’t have the time to read, but nor do we want a few pages with barely enough information.

‘‘Get to the point about what you want, give us the right numbers and convince us that what you’re doing will benefit people and the community.’’