Grants and Funding

Calendar of Dates to apply for funding:

Scheme Available Applications lodged

Creative Communities Local Arts Funding March / September

Major Community Projects April

Annual Grant Scheme August

School Holiday Programme August

Heritage August

SPARC Rural Travel Fund February

Other Assistance No fixed time

Details of the schemes are as follows:

Creative Communities Local Arts Funding

Applications are invited for funding from the Creative Communities Ashburton District Funding Scheme in March and September every year. Approximately $10,000 is available for distribution each funding round.

Eligible projects must have an arts or cultural focus, take place within the Ashburton District and benefit the local community.

Projects or activities may involve any artform or a mixture of artforms including theatre, visual, multi-media, dance, traditional arts, craft, music, literary arts and performing arts. Projects or activities must meet one of the following three funding criteria:

• increase participation in the arts
• increase the range and diversity of the arts available to the community
• enhance and strengthen the local arts sector.

This year the Assessment Committee will be looking to support new projects.

Applications will be accepted for both specific one off projects and programmes from community groups as well as individuals.

The application form and infomation sheet are avaiable in the Quick Links section on this page and from the Council office.

Applications close Wednesday 31 March 2010 and Thursday 30 September 2010.

Annual Grant Scheme

The Council will make provision in its annual budget for the disbursement of funds to qualifying organisations not named at budget time. The maximum individual grant from this source shall be $5,000. Council welcomes applications from all groups whose project contributes to the well-being of the community. $35,000 is available for distribution this year.

• Whose object or principal objects are in keeping with Section 598
   (4) of the Local Government Act, i.e. conserving or promoting
   the welfare of the community or of any members of the
   community.
• That are operating in the district.
• That are serving the community or providing a benefit to the
   community or a significant section of the community.
• That are educational facilities which provide a major recreational
   facility available to the public.
• That are non profit organisations.

Council will consider the following:
• The background and status of the applicant organisation.
• The organisation's ability to raise its own funds.

• Volunteer input.
• The importance of utilising Council land.
• The organization's planned development - Council must ensure it
    is carried out in such a manner that it will be in the long term
   interests of the district.
Eligibilities

Council will priorities on the following basis but reserves the right to vary these priorities from time to time:

• Development of indoor and outdoor facilities.
• Purchase and/or replacement of equipment.
• New initiatives.

This Scheme will not fund the following:
• The holding or hosting of a regional / South Island or national
    tournament or event.
• Projects or activities that have the ability to obtain funds from
    other Council administered sources i.e. Creative     Communities,
    Heritage Reserve Fund.
• Groups that have not returned their accountability form from
    previous years funding.
• Groups that have not provided current financial or bank
    statements.
• Administration and running costs or wages.

Heritage Reserve Fund (For the protection and preservation of significant heritage items.)

Council will make provision in its annual budget for funds for the disbursement of heritage grants which shall be allocated annually in or about August of each year. The maximum individual grant from this source shall be no greater than 50% of the cost of the approved project and in any event shall be no more than $5,000. Council will hold in reserve an amount to be determined from time to time to address requests for emergency funding made at other times of the year.

The Council will make grants in respect of applications which comply with the following criteria:

1. Projects which relate to heritage items that are scheduled Category A in the District Plan.
2. Projects which provide for specialised maintenance such as replacing matching cladding or replacing matching windows or other fittings in order to retain the heritage state of the item.
3. Projects which have provided a full project and finance plan (including copies of work schedule and quotes).

Council will consider the following:

1. The relative heritage value of the scheduled heritage item in the
District Plan.
2. The contribution that the proposed work will make to the
conservation of the scheduled heritage item.
3. The urgency of the work.
4. The availability of Council funds.
5. Other sources of funding available to the applicant.
6. The amount of any previous assistance.
7. Voluntary input.
8. Accessibility of the heritage item to the general public.
9. Such other matters Council considers relevant.

Council will not fund

1. Retrospective works.
2. Applicants that have not returned their accountability form from
previous funding.
3. Applicants that have not provided appropriate financial
information.
4. General maintenance such as re-painting.

General -

Council requires applicants to provide formal certification / receipt of work completed. Council recognises there may be occasions when an application would appear not to fit the above criteria; however this would not necessarily preclude it from consideration on its merit."

For further infomation and an application form please contact the Council office.

Major Community Projects

The council will make provision in its annual budget for the disbursement of funds to qualifying organisations to assist major projects of significance to the district.

1. Whose object or principal objects are in keeping with section 601
   (5) of the Local Government Act 1974, ie providing recreation,
   enjoyment, education or instruction of the public, or promoting
   any form of culture
2. That operate primarily in the Ashburton district
3. That provide or will provide a facility that is available or
    accessible to all of the residents of the district
4. That are not for profit organisations.

The purpose of the fund will be to assist or facilitate major projects which will be of significance to the recreational or cultural wellbeing of the residents of the district or which will bring wider recognition of the district while promoting the interests of its residents.

The fund is intended to assist major projects of significance to the district and may be initiated by a qualifying organisation or by the council.

When considering applications, council will take the following matters into account -
i. fundraising undertaken by the applicant
ii. ability of the applicant to manage the project
iii. benefits to the community
iv. other avenues of funding available to the applicant and
v. other grants already received by the applicant from this fund.

No upper or lower limit is imposed, however council will generally observe a guideline of contributing not more than 15% of the total cost of the project. The fund may accumulate for up to two years but will not at any time exceed $200,000. Applications will be called for annually by way of newspaper advertisement. Such advertising shall be placed at least one month prior to closing date which shall be the same date as the close of submissions to the Annual Plan

When it considers it desirable to do so, the council may consider the providing of other assistance to the above organisations providing that they are incorporated societies, on the following basis:

1. A maximum amount of $100,000 will be lent to any one applicant.
2. The maximum loan term will be not more than 3 years.
3. Whether interest is charged and at what rate will be at the
discretion of this council.

The maximum amount will be the lesser of 50% of the cost of the project or $100,000.

The total amount of loans for bridging finance and guarantees given by council for loans to local clubs and organisations will not exceed $250,000 at any one time.

The interest rate for loans advanced pursuant to council’s grants and loans scheme shall be the 12 month fixed investment rate plus 1% applicable on the day preceding the day of the advance or review.

For further information contact

The Administration Department
Ashburton District Council
P O Box 94
Ashburton 7740

Or phone 307 7700

Fundview

Council provides the public with access to Fundview, a computer database of infomation about funding sources for community groups in New Zealand, at the following locations: