Grants on offer for community groups

AMI Community Grants is back for a third year with a pool of prizes to help Kiwi community groups get their projects off the ground.

After a record response to last year’s campaign, AMI Insurance and Neighbourly are joining forces again to provide funding to local organisations and community projects needing a little helping hand.

Neighbourly members are being encouraged to apply alongside registered Neighbourly organisations for a slice of the $30,000 prize pool. Judging criteria will be focused on projects that reduce crime and/or make their communities stronger, safer and more connected places to live.

Eve Whitwell, AMI’s Community Engagement Manager says AMI is looking forward to helping more great community groups to achieve their goals this year.

The grand prize winner of last year’s campaign was Kidz need Dadz Charitable Trust. The team used the Grant to continue supporting Dads in their local Hawkes Bay region, as well as providing community events to raise awareness and connect with families in their communities.

Runners up included the Tauranga Youth Search and Rescue team, Under the Stars – a Tauranga-based community group focused on providing necessities for the homeless, two schools in the Auckland region, and House of Grace, a home for pregnant teens based just outside of Wellington.

This year’s prize draw will be split into two categories: grants for Community Projects and Grants for Community Organisations / Not-for-profits. There will be two rounds of applications - in January and July. Each round offers the chance for organisations and community projects to receive a share of $15,000.

Members and organisations are invited to apply for the first round of applications between until 16 February 2018. After submissions close, finalists will be shortlisted, and then Neighbourly members will be asked to vote on the organisations and member projects that they believe should receive a grant.

Round 1 of AMI Community Grants campaign runs from 21 January to 16 February, with winners contacted March 12.

For more information visit www.neighbourly.co.nz/ amicommunitygrants.

SUPPLIED/ NEIGHBOURLY AMI Community Grants is back for a third year to help groups get their projects off the ground.