Council sets up fund for community relief

A $300,000 fund to help Western Bay of Plenty groups providing assistance to the community through the Covid19 pandemic is open for applications.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s Community Resilience Fund has been launched in efforts to help local groups — registered charities, non-governmental organisations, incorporated societies or community groups — needing additional funding for their projects in the wake of the global pandemic.

The one-off $300,000 fund is one of the support packages within Council’s Economic Recovery Plan to assist the local economy and provide relief in the medium and long term.

The fund is a consolidation of Council’s two annual community funding pools — the Community Matching Fund and the Facilities in the Community Fund.

It is anticipated both funds will resume in 2021.

Western Bay Mayor Garry Webber said Council recognises the importance of providing swift relief and this initiative enables funding to be distributed where the community need is the greatest.

“The ongoing impact of Covid-19 will leave some community organisations and local initiatives facing an uncertain future.

“This fund will provide financial relief so that not-forprofit groups can continue to provide a service to the community.”

There is no doubt that Covid19 will make it hard for our communities to achieve their aspirations, Garry said.

“This fund offers financial help for organisations to develop, enhance and improve community wellbeing.”

Priority for groups seeking a slice of the $300,000 (GST exclusive) will be for applications of up to $10,000 (excluding GST) and for those organisations who can show the negative impact that Covid-19 has had on them. However, applications for more than $10,000 will be considered but may require further supporting information. Grants allocated from the Fund will be one-off.

Applicants must be a registered charity, NGO, an incorporated society or a community group that intends to provide assistance to the community.

Council will consider reimbursing costs to applicants that have already provided essential community-led services to support local resilience and community wellbeing during the Covid-19 emergency, on the same basis as other applications.

Successful applicants will be required at the end of their project/initiative to provide Council with a report on how the funds were used.

■ For application forms and detailed information on the Community Resilience Fund visit: www.westernbay.govt.nz/council/ economic-recovery-plan