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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).

Grants Rounds

There are two funding rounds each financial year. The first round closes in July for decisions in September for events and projects that take place after 1 October. The second funding round closes in March for decisions in May for events and projects that take place after 1 June (subject to available funds). Applications can be submitted anytime, however will only be considered at one of these two rounds. The next closing date is Sunday 2 March 2025.

Promotions grants can consider applications in the following financial year: For instance the Vincent Community Board will consider an application for the Alexandra Blossom Festival in the March funding round for its September event, or the January St Bathans Fete will apply in March for the following January. Get in touch with Alison Mason for further details.

How to apply for promotions and community grants

Applications to the second round of the 2024/25 Central Otago District Council Promotions and Community Grants are now open and close at 5pm on Sunday 2 March 2025 for a decision in May 2025. Applications to this round will be accepted for projects/events undertaken after 1 June 2025.

Click here to see when the meetings will take place in May to make grant decisions.

Apply for a grant

The link above will take you to the section of the website where you can submit your grant application. You will need to register to do this.

Amounts available for distribution are provided in the Guide to Grants

For Community Grants, you need to decide if your project benefits a particular ward or the district as a whole. If you believe your project benefits the district as a whole, then you should apply to Council. If your project benefits a particular ward or wards, then you should apply to that community board (s)

Please note: There are no district wide Promotions Grants, therefore you must apply to the relevant community board for Promotions Grants

To help you prepare, here is a list of the question that are asked as part of the grant application:

About You

  • Name of Organisation
  • Tell us a little bit about your organisation. What is your purpose and how long have you been operating in Central Otago?
  • Contact Person
  • Phone Number
  • Email
  • Address
  • Is your organisation an unincorporated membership group, an incorporated society, a trust, a charitable trust, a company or something else? Please specify.

About the project / event

  • Name of the project / event
  • Project / event description – if your project / event relates to more than one activity, please list and provide a description of each.
  • Will this project / event create ongoing costs?
  • Tell us how this project / event meets the funding criteria for this grant?
  • When does the project / event start?
  • When does the project / event finish?
  • How will you know if your project / event has been successful?

Your budget

  • Amount of funding you are applying for? (and for what financial year, if appropriate)
  • Please provide a budget, including the following:
  • Income and expenditure of your project / event
  • A breakdown of any other funding that you have applied for and/or secured towards this project / event
  • In-kind donations
  • Quotations for intended purchase of goods or services
  • Please detail which element of the project an approved CODC grant will be applied to:
  • Please advise plans for how any profit / surplus funds will be used and/or applied to should the event or project result in a retained profit.
  • If you do not get the full amount of funding that you have applied for, what is your back up plan?
Report back accountability form

Accountability reports

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.

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:

Trail Funding Application

Eligible Conditions to apply for a Grant

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

  1. Your group must be within the Cromwell, Vincent, Teviot wards.
  2. Your trail project must be volunteer led
  3. Funds must be used in support of trail repairs and maintenance
  4. 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:

  1. Spend the money on the approved items within the agreed timeframe
  2. Provide receipts
  3. Return any unused funds within a specified period
  4. Provide a short report of your trail crew and the work achieved, including progress photos.
  5. 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 15 February 2025 at 4pm.

Creative New Zealand Funding Guidelines

Creative Communities Application

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 on Friday 8 August 2025 at 4pm.

Rural Travel Fund Application

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 a not-for-profit organisation in the Central Otago area looking for project funding, then attending a funding clinic is a must. Come and meet your local funders and discuss your project. Details of the 2025 funding clinics are provided below:

DATE

TIME

VENUE

Wednesday 19 February 2025

11am – 1pm

Alexandra Community House, Centennial Ave, Alexandra

Wednesday 19 February 2025

5.30pm – 7.30pm

Central Lakes Trust Boardroom, 190 Waenga Drive, Cromwell

Wednesday 13 August 2025

11am – 1pm

Alexandra Community House, Centennial Ave, Alexandra

Wednesday 13 August 2025

2.30pm – 4.30pm

Central Lakes Trust Boardroom, 190 Waenga Drive, Cromwell

Thursday 21 August 2025 4pm - 5:30pm Ranfurly Service Centre, 15 Pery Street, Ranfurly

Thursday 6 November 2025

10.30am – 11.30am

Roxburgh Service Centre, 120 Scotland Street, Roxburgh

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