Wishes granted by Rata Foundation

Community groups in Marlborough are set to reap the benefits of a $1.4 million boost in funds.

More than 100 groups across the region have been successful in their bid for funds from community trust the Rata Foundation.

Health care and support are among the biggest beneficiaries in Marlborough.

The top award of $50,000 went to the Nelson Marlborough Housing Trust, which oversees The Warmer Healthier Homes initiative.

Hundreds of families in need of warmer homes have since benefited from retro-fitting of insulation since the project began in Nelson in 2014

The Warmer Healthier Homes programme installs ceiling and under-floor insulation in Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough homes.

People are referred to the programme by their doctor, hospital specialist or another healthcare worker and those with greater health needs such as respiratory and chronic conditions are prioritised.

But the total of $18m given out by the Rata Foundation in grant money fell short of the $39m applied for nationally.

Of the 990 applications received, $13.7m went to Canterbury, $2.2m to Nelson, $1.4m to Marlborough and $100,000 to the Chatham Islands.

Foundation chair Roger Bridge says while it is usual for application requests to exceed the annual grants budget, there has been a 23 per cent decrease in the amount requested compared to the previous year.

‘‘Having clearer priorities and a higher level of engagement with applicants, allows the foundation to be more transparent and we think [this] has had a big influence on who is applying for funding, and when.

‘‘We are also engaging with organisations post funding decisions to provide rationale on ‘why’ and step away from being a funder which just ‘hands out cheques’,’’ he says.

Other community groups to receive grants included Marlbor- ough Riding for the Disabled Association who were granted $20,000 and Age Concern Marlborough who will get $15,000.

Cancer Society Marlborough was granted $10,000 and the Marlborough Youth Trust received $20,000.

PHOTO: FILE The Rata Foundation Annual Marlborough Grants Function at ASB Theatre last year, with chairman Roger Bridge and chief executive Louise Edwards.