PRESS RELEASE

April 30, 2007


Auckland’s biggest grant-maker, ASB Community Trust, has set closing dates for when it will accept grant applications.

 

 

 

The Trust grants about $45 million to community groups in the Auckland and Northland regions each year. It has not previously had closing dates.


“Since our Trust began making grants in 1988, we have accepted applications at any time,” says Trust CEO Jennifer Gill. “However, we are now the only major trust in the country with such a policy and the increasing complexity of applications has made us review our system.”


Grants will still be made once a month, but each Trust board meeting will look at grants in a specific sector, so similar applications can be compared in the areas of education, the arts, sport and recreation, environment and heritage, health and welfare, community economic development, and community facilities.


“We believe this will give the community greater clarity, while allowing us to focus our attention on organisations working in the same field,” says Ms Gill.


“The introduction last year of an annual closing date for major capital project applications has run very smoothly, giving staff, trustees and applicants clarity around the process and the timelines. Community feedback has indicated that similar closing dates, and an indication of time-lines for decision making, would reduce uncertainty for applicant groups and allow them to plan their projects better.”


The new closing dates are:

•    Marae/community economic development/Health & Social Services: February 1 and July 1 each year.

•    Arts and culture: April 1 and September 1.

•    Sport and Recreation/Community Facilities: May 1 and October 1.

•    Environment and heritage/Education: June 1 and November 1.

•    Major capital projects: September 1 each year.


Full details of the changes are on the Trust’s website. However, The Trust says it does not want the changes to cause stress and hardship in the not-for-profit sector, so people are encouraged to make contact and talk through any concerns or questions.


Trust staff are available by telephoning (09) 360-0291, free-phone 0800 272 878 or emailing info@ASBCommunityTrust.org.nz   More details of the changes are online at: www.ASBCommunityTrust.org.nz/Funding-overview.html


About ASB Community Trust

ASB Community Trust decides on grants for groups and projects in Auckland and Northland. Founded on the sale of its shares in the ASB bank, the Trust has granted more than $600m since being formed in 1988.


Any incorporated or charitable trust in Auckland and Northland can apply for funds, provided they are a not-for-profit organisation. 


For more details about applying, visit the Trust’s website: www.ASBCommunityTrust.org.nz


(ENDS)

Sector closing dates


Month

Sector

Decision
Date


February 1,		 Economic Development
Marae
May

February 1,
Health & Social Services
June

April 1
Arts & Culture
July

May 1
 Sport & Recreation
Rescue Services
August

May 1
Community Facilities
September

June 1
 Environment & Heritage
Education
September

July 1		 Economic Development
Marae
October

July 1
Health & Social Services
November

September 1
Major Capital Projects
March

September 1
Arts & Culture
December

October 1		 Sport & Recreation
Rescue Services
February

October 1
Community Facilities
March

November 1		 Environment & Heritage
Education
April

  • All applications will be acknowledged in writing and applicants will be told when to expect a grant decision.
  • The Trust's board makes decisions on grants at the end of the month. All applicants will be informed, in writing, of the Trust's grant application decision early in the month following the board meeting. For example, an arts application lodged in April would be decided on in late July and a letter sent out early in August.
  • Applications generally take 4 months to process and consider. However, heavy demand in some sectors means it will be 5-6 months before some grant decisions are made.