Community Groups in Nelson that deliver social development activities/projects can now apply for Community Investment Grants from the Nelson City Council, valued at up to $2500.
In July this year the Nelson City Council approved the updated Community Assistance Policy, following on from consultation with the community as part of the Long Term Plan.
The old Community Assistance fund has changed, and is now known as the Community Investment fund. This fund focuses on Social Development activities, which aim to support the social well-being needs of the wider Nelson community.
Council has set aside an annual allocation of $300,000 for Community Investment Funding, noting the need to meet existing commitments to ongoing agreements. Of the $300,000 allocation, a maximum sum of $50,000 will be set aside to fund Community Investment Grants.
These Community Investment Grants will replace the previously known “one-off grants” and will be open for applications of up to $2,500.
To be eligible, community organisations must be delivering social development activity. Information is available on Nelson.govt.nz – Search – Community Investment Grants. Applications close 23 September 2015.
Community Services Chair Pete Rainey welcomed the more focused approach to funding.
“In the past the community assistance funds were spread out across a large number of diverse groups, potentially diluting the effectiveness of what was delivered to the community.
“This far more targeted approach will provide clarity for groups applying for this fund, so we can make sure that the best possible outcomes are achieved for our community,” he says.
