Community groups in the Ashburton District are being encouraged to think about projects that could qualify for a Council grant when funding applications are called for at the start of February.

Council grants about $300,000 annually, for projects as small as buying a heat pump to as large as recreating a wetlands.

Group Manager Democracy and Engagement Toni Durham said groups should start thinking now as the funding round opened on 1 February.

“Applications will be accepted until 29 February and we encourage those who run community groups and projects to check the qualifying criteria and see if they could apply.

“Many of the grants Council gives to community groups and organisations are on a smaller scale, but they make a huge difference to the people seeking them. More substantial grants also have the ability to help get major projects off the ground, for the benefit of the whole district.”

The grants available in February include those for community development, biodiversity, heritage and trail maintenance. A second round of grants will open in March and include funds from the Creative Communities Scheme and travel costs for junior sports teams.

“In the last year, grants have been used for a big range of projects, from helping to rebuild an historic fire appliance to undergrounding power at a community hall,” Mrs Durham said. “If you are part of a group or project that provides a benefit to our community, then there’s a good chance it may be eligible for one of the community grants.”

Mrs Durham encourages any organisation or group that has questions or needs assistance with their application to get in touch with the Council.

Applications for the first round of grants will close at the end of February, and people can find out more and apply online at ashburtondc.govt.nz/grants.

Some of the grants available include:

• Community Project Grant - Funding for projects that maintain or enhance residents’ quality of life.
• Community Agency Grant - Helping community organisations with their operational costs.
  Community Events Grant - Funding for new community events or building the capacity of existing events.
• Community Infrastructure Grant - Support for the development and maintenance of memorial and community halls, and reserve board infrastructure.
• School Holiday Programme Grant - Support for school holiday programmes that cater for children aged 5-14 years.
• Heritage Grant - Support for maintenance that preserves or restores a heritage building or item.
• Biodiversity Grant - Funding for projects that aim to protect, maintain or restore biodiversity.
• Trail Maintenance Grant – Funding for volunteer-led walking, hiking, cycling and mountainbiking trails in Mid Canterbury.