ASB Community Trust back in business

ASB Community Trust has made its first grants for 2009, approving applications in the environment and learning sectors.

Grants worth three quarters of a million dollars have been announced for September, the  first round of funding since grants were suspended at the beginning of the year. Next month the Trust will decide on marae and health applications.

The Trust, which supports the work of not-for-profit groups throughout Auckland and Northland, was forced to halt grant making eight months ago when the international financial crisis reduced the value of its investment portfolio.

However, investment markets have since turned around and in early August the Trust announced a grants budget of $23.7 million for the 2009/10 year, through to March 31, 2010.

Commenting on the funding round, CEO Jennifer Gill said the Trust was experiencing  considerable pressure on funds. Grant applications were worth $1.4 million in the environment and learning sectors alone – double the amount available for distribution.

“The Trust funds in eight other sectors and similar demand is expected in the recreation, arts, heritage, community wellbeing, community building projects, health, rescue services and marae sectors later in the year,” Ms Gill said.

“I think most people in our region would agree that now is not a good time to launch new projects, so this year we are concentrating on operational support grants to ensure organisations survive the current difficult conditions,” she said.

West Auckland
West Auckland groups that gained grants in the latest funding round: Ecomatters Environment Trust, $25,000; Ark in the Park, $60,000; Friends of Whatipu, $21,000; the Kauri Trust, $20,000; Waitakere Adult literacy, $30,000 and Waitakere City Improving School Attendance Programme Trust, $30,000.

South Auckland
South Auckland groups that gained grants in the latest funding round: Adult Literacy Franklin, $20,000; Tamaki Achievement Pathways $40,000; South Auckland Adult Literacy, $45,000; Awhitu Peninsula Landcare $15,000.

Northland
Northland groups that gained grants in the latest funding round: Whangarei Native bird recover centre, $12,500; Moerewa’s Te rere I Tiria Charitable Trust $15,000; Dargaville’s Hua Rakau Trust Ki Omamari, $10,000; Kaitaia’s Te Pokapu Tiaki Taiao O Te Tai Tokerau Trust, $20,000 and Kaitaia’s Herekino Landcare, $14,000.

Regional
Grants also went to groups operating regionally, with the New Zealand Association for Environmental Education Auckland Branch granted $30,000; the Environmental Defence Society, $30,000; the Sir Peter Blake Trust $30,000; Books in Prisons Trust, $30,000; First Foundation, $60,000; Leadership New Zealand, $30,000 and the Gifted Childrens’ Advancement Trust, $30,000; Watersafe $50,000; Body Positive $10,000; Tangata Whenua Community and Voluntary Sector Research Centre $27,000.

About ASB Community Trust

ASB Community Trust decides on grants for groups and projects in Auckland and Northland each month. Using funds from the sale of its shareholding in the Auckland Savings Bank, the Trust has granted almost $700m 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