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Whanganui Community Foundation Criteria for Funding

During 2017, the Foundation undertook a major review of its grant making policy. This has resulted in statements of philosophy and criteria that expands and clarifies the previous criteria. Applicants should notice very little difference in the way the Trustees make decisions.

 

Philosophy

Changing communities is a process that requires a number of strategies that work together to form a whole. The Foundation recognises that its role is to support community organisations to both determine the nature of community that they aspire to and to implement changes. To do this requires a community development approach that respects the right of communities to determine their own futures. It is recognised that a combination of strategies is often required that will contain elements of service delivery, public education, advocacy and working collaboratively with others. Projects or programmes that combine these elements will be given higher priority.

 

Whanganui Community Foundation Funding Policies

 

1.0    Eligibility Criteria for All Funding Applications:

 

To be considered for funding from the Whanganui Community Foundation an organisation must be:

  • a not-for-profit organisation (usually an incorporated society or charitable trust, or registered as a charity)
  • in operation for twelve months or more, and
  • specifically, within the region of the Whanganui Community Foundation (including Rangitikei, Waimarino and Whanganui).

Marae will be eligible without Charitable Status in line with their recognition as a Maori reservation for communal purposes under the Te Ture Whenua Act 1993.

 

 

1.1    Accounts

 

Annual accounts must be supplied in support of a grant application to the Whanganui Community Foundation. These annual accounts must:

  • Be no older than 18 months at the time of the application closing date
    • e.g. if a grant application closes on 30 June 2023, accounts older than 31 December 2021 cannot be used to support the application
  • Be signed by two organisation representatives (e.g. two Trustees or Chair and Committee member)
  • For registered charities: meet the content requirements of NZ’s reporting standards for registered charities.

Reviews and Audits

  • If your organisation’s operational expenditure is $500,000 or more, you must supply an audit with your annual accounts, regardless of the size of your grant request.
  • Or, if your request is up to or including $50,000, you must supply a review or audit if you have one.
  • Or, for requests exceeding $50,000, you must supply a review or audit.

 

1.2    Frequency

 

Organisations may only receive one grant in a twelve-month period.

A recipient of a Capital Grant may also apply for a Quick Response Grant or a Community Support Grant in the same year.

Any applicant in exception to this must discuss with and seek approval prior to submission of the grant application. An exception may occur when an organisation has acted as an umbrella organisation for an applicant and then wishes to submit an application for their own organisation.

 

 

1.3    Complete Applications

 

Applications must be fully complete in order to be assessed and they are required to be signed by two signatories. The two signatories must be associated with the entity of the applicant, be over sixteen years of age and be unrelated.

 

 

2.0    General Exclusion

 

As stated in the Trustee Manual, the Whanganui Community Foundation will not fund:

  • For the benefit of an individual
  • Commercial organisations
  • Prizes or sponsorships
  • Endowments
  • Completed projects - the Foundation does not fund projects in retrospect
  • To refinance or extinguish existing debt
  • International travel
  • Projects seeking to promote religious or political objectives
  • Fundraisers and fundraising activity
  • External providers delivering programmes/resources into schools that can be regarded as part of the delivery of the core curriculum.

 

3.0    Strategic Objective Funding Areas

 

The funding will be distributed across the strategic priorities identified by the Whanganui Community Foundation at their Strategy Day in August 2016. These areas are identified in the new Strategic Plan 2016-2019. The fifth priority was added in 2022.

  1. Children 0-5 years old
  2. Youth at risk
  3. The elderly in our communities
  4. Activities and programmes that strengthen our communities
  5. Housing

 

 

3.1    Children 0-5 years old

 

Objectives:

To enhance the wellbeing of high-needs children aged 0-5 years in our community.

 

Funding Priorities:

  • Improved wellbeing outcomes for high needs children aged 0-5 years
  • Build knowledge and capacity amongst high needs families/whānau1 with children 0-5 years old
  • Collaboration between organisations working in the 0-5 years old area
  • Innovative solutions focused on high-needs children, 0-5 years old.

1 “Strong families/whānau are the bedrock of society and they provide the foundation for healthy child and adolescent development” (Gluckman, 2011). For this reason, it is essential that programmes that target children and young people include their families and whanau. Evidence suggests that programmes are more likely to be effective if a whole of family approach is adopted.

 

Outcomes:

The outcomes the Whanganui Community Foundation is hoping to achieve in this area may include the following:

  • Improved wellbeing outcomes for children aged 0-5 years
  • Strengthened family wellbeing including through whānau ora (empowering whānau as a whole)
  • Improved community programmes that enable children 0-5 years old to thrive
  • Strong relationships and partnerships with other funders, agencies and communities
  • A strengthened not for profit sector that targets children aged 0-5 years

 

 

3.2    Youth at risk

 

Objectives:

To enhance and foster youth development and create positive outcomes for youth at risk2, including YNEET/SWEET.

 

Funding Priorities:

  • Improved wellbeing outcomes for youth at risk
  • Fostering the development of youth at risk
  • Collaboration between organisations working in the youth at risk area
  • Programmes are well grounded in evidence and research, and apply best practice
  • Building knowledge and capacity amongst families/whānau with youth at risk
  • Innovative solutions applied to youth at risk.

2 Youth at Risk, including YNEET/ SWEET are defined as young people aged 12-24 not in education, employment or training. Age definition consistent with the Ministry for Youth Development.

 

Outcomes:

The outcomes Whanganui Community Foundation is hoping to achieve in this area may include the following:

  • Improved wellbeing outcomes for youth at risk.
  • Strengthened family wellbeing including through whānau ora.
  • Improved community programmes that support youth at risk.
  • Strong relationships and partnerships with other funders, agencies and communities.
  • A strengthened not for profit sector that targets youth at risk.

 

 

3.3    Elderly in our Communities

 

Objectives:

To enhance the wellbeing of isolated elderly3 in our community.

 

Funding Priorities:

  • Improved outcomes for isolated elderly in the community
  • Encourage intergenerational development and learning
  • Encourage participation of isolated elderly in the community
  • Collaboration between organisations working in the elderly area
  • Innovative solutions to support positive outcomes for isolated elderly in the community.

3 Elderly are defined as from 65+ years. Age definition consistent with Statistics NZ. 

 

Outcomes:

The outcomes Whanganui Community Foundation is hoping to achieve in this area might include the following:

  • Improved wellbeing outcomes for isolated elderly in the community.
  • Delivery of evidence-based community programmes that support isolated elderly in the community.
  • Strong relationships and partnerships with other funders, agencies and communities.
  • A strengthened not for profit sector that targets elderly in the community.

 

 

3.4    Activities and programmes that strengthen our communities

 

Objectives:

To increase community connectedness and foster community well-being.

 

Funding Priorities:

  • Strengthen relationships, collaborations and partnerships between community organisations
  • Projects that recognise and support the region’s diverse cultures
  • Support the growth and development of the community
  • Projects that ensure accessibility for all
  • Protect and preserve the region’s heritage and environment
  • Show evidence of community ownership

 

Outcomes:

The outcomes the Whanganui Community Foundation is hoping to achieve in this area might include the following:

  • Strong cohesive communities where people feel encouraged and are enabled to participate
  • Strong relationships and partnerships with other funders, agencies and communities

 

 

3.5    Housing

 

Objectives:

To address issues of housing and homelessness in the Whanganui Community Foundation rohe.

 

Funding Priorities:

  • Projects and purposes directly related to housing, including, but not limited to: provision of emergency housing and support for people experiencing homelessness; supply, repair and maintenance of infrastructure such as electricity, water and sewage; house maintenance; organisations providing legal support or access to financial services.
  • Projects that struggle to raise finance from governmental sources due to location, inflexibility or other factors
  • Projects that can leverage the grant to raise further funding from government or other funders
  • Projects that will aid those most in need due to remoteness, deprivation, lack of infrastructure, or underserved by other providers
  • Applicants that show evidence of strong commitment to the community, community consultation, and cultural awareness.

 

Outcomes:

The outcomes the Whanganui Community Foundation is hoping to achieve in this area might include the following:

  • Communities where everyone has affordable access to a safe, healthy home
  • Communities where residents are empowered to implement solutions to housing issues that fit their unique circumstance
  • Communities where families and whānau flourish, not limited by housing availability, affordability or quality issue
  • Increased flow of government and philanthropic funding into housing initiatives, leveraged off seed funding and successful prototype projects.

 

 

4.0    Funding Framework

 

The funding framework sits across the strategic objectives identified by Whanganui Community Foundation:

  1. Children 0-5 years old
  2. Youth at risk
  3. The elderly in our communities
  4. Activities and programmes that strengthen our communities.
  5. Housing

 

The following funding programmes can respond to the strategic priorities of the Foundation. The diagram indicates the match between the funding programme and the strategic priorities:

  • Quick Response Grants
  • Community Support Grants
  • Special Purposes (Housing)
  • Provision for Capital Projects

 

Whanganui Community Foundation Funding

 

 

4.1    Quick Response Grants

 

Introduction:
 
The intention of the Quick Response grants is to respond to the needs of communities through an assessment and decision process that is prompt. The grant will focus on activities and programmes that strengthen the communities of the Whanganui region.


Principles:

  • Total annual expenditure on Quick Response grants should represent no more than 20% of the annual budget. Average $200,000.
  • Grants will be flexible and may cover seed funding, operational costs, programme costs, equipment or capacity building cost.
  • More frequent closing dates and simpler application process to ensure responsiveness to community needs.
  • Supporting documentation to include annual accounts, a quote if equipment included in application, and a project budget.
  • Clear priorities and assessment criteria will be defined to allow quick response decisions.
  • Quick Response Grants can be a maximum of $10,000.
  • At a future date, Quick Response Grants may move to delegated authority for which policy will be developed.

 

Priorities:

  • Priorities will be identified within Strategic Objective 4: Activities and programmes that strengthen our communities.

 

Criteria:

  • Capacity and capability to deliver.
  • Clear outcomes.
  • Programmes based on sector best practice (where appropriate).
  • Alignment with strategic objectives and identified priorities.
  • Collaboration.

 

Funding Process:

The Quick Response Grants will be from a contestable fund whereby community groups will submit applications on a rolling basis throughout the year. These will be reviewed at every board meeting. The Whanganui Community Foundation is introducing more frequent closing dates and a simple application process to allow us to be more responsive to the needs of our community.

 

 

4.2    Community Support Grants

 

Introduction:

The intention of the Community Support Grants is to respond to the needs of communities through an assessment and decision process. The grant will focus on high needs children 0-5 years’ old, youth at risk, and the isolated elderly of our communities.

 

Principles:

  • Total annual expenditure on Community Support Grants should represent no more than 30% of the annual budget.
  • Grants will be flexible and may cover seed funding, operational costs, programme costs, equipment costs or capacity building cost.
  • Four closing dates per year. Funding rounds with a simple application process but with more supporting documentation required than for the Quick Response grants.
  • Supporting documentation to include annual accounts, annual report, a quote if equipment requested, and a project budget.
  • Clear priorities and assessment criteria will be defined to allow consistent decision making.
  • Community Support grants will be between $10,001 and $100,000.
  • Multi-year grants up to a maximum of three years will be considered.
  • Projects will be funded within budget and policy area priorities.

 

Priorities:

Priorities will be identified to fit within our Strategic Objectives:

  1. Children 0-5 years old
  2. Youth at risk
  3. The elderly in our communities

 

Criteria:

  • Capacity and capability to deliver.
  • Clear outcomes.
  • Programmes based on sector best practice (where appropriate).
  • Alignment with strategic objectives and identified priorities.
  • Collaboration.

 

Funding Process:

The Community Support grants will be a contestable fund whereby community groups will submit applications at closing dates throughout the year. As for the Quick Response grants, more frequent closing dates and a simple application process will enable Whanganui Community Foundation to be responsive to the needs of the community. However, additional targeted information gathering, and assessment will be undertaken for a Community Support Grant, for example, information about the organisation will be gathered from the website and a phone call.

 

 

4.3    Provision for Capital Projects

 

Introduction – fit with strategy:
 
The intention of Provision for Capital Projects is to provide capital grants which create a significant beneficial impact for the communities of the Whanganui region. It provides the opportunity for Whanganui Community Foundation to support projects of significance and apply innovative approaches. They are likely to have intergenerational benefit, have wide impact, and may have regional benefit.
Provision for Capital Project grants may include partnership funding with other major funding partners such as local government, lotteries, philanthropic or government funders, or a combination of funding.

 

Principles:

  • Capital projects reserve:
    • To be added to each year at the rate of $100,000 (or 10% of Grants Budget) to be taken from the Grants Budget.
    • To be used for capital projects, where the request to the Whanganui Community Foundation is $100,000 or more.
  • Alignment with strategic objectives and identified priorities.

 

Criteria:

  • Capacity and capability to deliver.
  • Clear outcomes framework and previous demonstration of outcomes (track record).
  • Alignment with the strategic objectives and priorities for the Whanganui Community Foundation.
  • Based on best practice where applicable.
  • Demonstration of collaboration and/or partnership.

 

Funding Process:

This is a targeted fund that will take time to evolve.

The Whanganui Community Foundation may proactively seek to make capital grants and may also respond to requests for support from other funders or grantees. These may include a response to significant need, or where the Whanganui Community Foundation sees there is potential for a strong return on investment.

Applications involve a two-stage assessment process:

  1. Expression of interest phase for Trustee approval – short application (brief outline of project, what they want to achieve, financial status, and supporting documentation).
  2. Full application from preferred providers.

The ability to raise additional funding will be part of the criteria for those applying and preference will be given to those who are able to demonstrate this.

 

 

4.4    Special Purpose Grants

 

Introduction – fit with strategy:

The intention of Special Purpose Grants is to allow the Foundation to focus significant funding on a specific community need over a period of time. The target of the funds is to be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that the need still exists and that the Foundation’s focus on it is still relevant.

The first Special Purpose, housing, was chosen in 2021 in response to a survey of community organisations, which indicated strongly that housing is the most significant issue affecting the communities of the Whanganui, Rangitīkei and Waimarino areas.

 

Principles:

  • Fund to be seeded with $400,000 on 1 April each year
  • Applicants may apply for amounts up to $250,000, or more with the prior approval of the Board
  • Applications may be made for operational, capacity-building, project and/or capital costs
  • Generally only one grant per applicant in a 12-month period, with limited exceptions for need and timing issues
  • Choice of Special Purpose to be reviewed annually by means of research and/or partnership with a suitable research organisation

 

Criteria:

  • Capacity and capability to deliver.
  • Clear outcomes framework and previous demonstration of outcomes (track record).
  • Alignment with the strategic objectives and priorities for the Whanganui Community Foundation.
  • Based on best practice where applicable.
  • Demonstration of collaboration and/or partnership.

 

Purpose of “Housing” Special Purpose

  • To assist organisations which aid in providing suitable, safe and healthy housing for people in the WCF rohe

 

The following criteria may be applied for “Housing” Special Purpose

  • Projects that will aid those most in need due to remoteness, deprivation, lack of infrastructure, or underserved by other providers
  • Projects that struggle to raise finance from governmental sources due to location, inflexibility or other factors
  • Projects that can leverage the grant to raise further funding from government or other funders
  • Innovative approaches
  • Applicants that show evidence of strong commitment to the community, community consultation, and cultural awareness.

 

Funding Process:

Applications involve a two-stage assessment process:

  1. Expression of interest phase for Trustee approval – short application (brief outline of project, what they want to achieve, financial status, and supporting documentation). EOIs may be submitted in time for any regular board meeting.
  2. After the EOI, the Board has the following options:
    • Decline the application outright
    • Defer the EOI decision until a later date
    • Request a full application to be received at a future board meeting
    • Give a grant, subject to any conditions it sees fit.

 

 

4.5    Grants Reserve

 

  • $2.5m to be taken from accumulated income to form a reserve to cover up to three years of a grants budget in case of a prolonged downturn in investment income.
  • This reserve will require topping-up only if drawdowns have occurred.

 

 

5.0    Funding Policy

 

The Quick Response Grant, Community Support Grant and Special Purposes (Housing) Grant funding will be considered for costs relating to one or more of the following:

  • operating costs
  • programme/project costs
  • capacity and capability building
  • leadership development
  • resources, equipment
  • community activities and events


For Capital Projects, funding will also be considered for costs relating to:

  • capital expenditure
  • minor capital works


For Special Purposes (Housing), funding will also be considered for costs relating to:

  • capital expenditure
  • minor capital works
  • seed funding

 

 

5.1     Assessment Criteria

 

Support will be considered for organisations that can have a collaborative and efficient approach:

  • alignment with strategic objectives and identified priorities
  • capacity and capability to deliver
  • clear outcomes
  • programmes based on sector best practice
  • demonstrated approach to collaboration and efficiencies
  • innovation

 

The following factors will also be considered during the assessment process:

  • financial capacity – current funding sources including government contracts and fundraising capability
  • organisational capacity – support from funding partners/key sector organisations
  • sustainability
  • track record
  • potential for duplication of existing services
  • number of people who will benefit.

 

Additional criteria for Capital Projects over $100,000:

In general, funding priority will be given to those projects that most closely align with the Whanganui Community Foundation’s strategic objectives and identified priorities, are well planned at a strategic development level, and have the organisational capability to deliver. Whanganui Community Foundation expects organisations would be able to demonstrate a contribution towards the cost of the projects.

 

Specifically, projects will be assessed against the following areas:

  • How the project enhances the interaction and participation of people in the community
  • The number and breadth of people who benefit from the project
  • Financial sustainability
  • Environmental impact, including that of buildings

 

 

6.0    Assessing Grant Applications

 

In addition to assessing grant applications against the strategic objectives and funding policy outlined in the previous sections, rubrics may also be used for assessment purposes. 

 

For the Community Support grant and Capital Projects, applications should be initially assessed against the strategic objectives and funding policy, followed by a face to face meeting, and then against the rubric.

The grants assessor compiles information for Trustees about each applicant, with level of detail determined by the type of grants, along with a recommendation. For example,

 

Quick Response Grant – Assessment Information

Brief paragraph about the organisation and a project summary
 

Community Response Grant – Assessment Information

Detailed description of the organisation, project, financial statement and assessment, previous funding, board members, budget, along with assessment.
 

Provisional Capital Projects and Special Purposes (Housing) – Assessment Information

Two-stage assessment reports

  1. Outline of project, intended outcomes, financial status, capacity building and evaluation approach, and supporting documentation for shortlisting purposes.

  2. For shortlisted applicants, detailed description including:

a.   the organisation and project,
b.   financial statement and assessment,
c.   previous funding,
d.   board members,
e.   budget

 

 

7.0    Progress and Impact Reporting

 

Progress reporting for multi-year grants over $50,000 (for example) is required, and may be linked to payments if a grant is to be paid in stages. This could apply to Special Purposes Grants, and some Community Support Grants.

Progress reports might include information such as:

  • Was the money spent as intended?
  • What has been achieved?
  • Any issues emerging which require assistance?

 

A 12-month Post Project Impact Form for Quick Response Grants and Community Support Grants funding could be used to gather information about specific outcomes achieved from the grant. This could include outcomes regarding both the organisation and the wider community.

 

Information gathered might include:

  • Was the money spent as intended?
  • Were the outcomes achieved and what changed or was different?
  • Who benefited and in what way?

High Investment Grants will require more detailed and regular reporting.

 

 

8.0    Change of Purpose

 

The Whanganui Community Foundation has the authority to vary the purpose of an existing approved grant at the request of the applicant.

 

 

9.0    Out of Time

 

The Whanganui Community Foundation has the authority to approve grants that fall outside the usual timetable of Board meetings.

 

 

10.0     Extension of Time

 

The Whanganui Community Foundation may approve an extension of time to uplift grant.

 

 

Philosophy

Changing communities is a process that requires a number of strategies that work together to form a whole. The Foundation recognises that its role is to support community organisations to both determine the nature of community that they aspire to and to implement changes. To do this requires a community development approach that respects the right of communities to determine their own futures. It is recognised that a combination of strategies is often required that will contain elements of service delivery, public education, advocacy and working collaboratively with others. Projects or programmes that combine these elements will be given higher priority.

 

Whanganui Community Foundation Funding Policies

 

1.0    Eligibility Criteria for All Funding Applications:

 

To be considered for funding from the Whanganui Community Foundation an organisation must be:

  • a not-for-profit organisation (usually an incorporated society or charitable trust, or registered as a charity)
  • in operation for twelve months or more, and
  • specifically, within the region of the Whanganui Community Foundation (including Rangitikei, Waimarino and Whanganui).

Marae will be eligible without Charitable Status in line with their recognition as a Maori reservation for communal purposes under the Te Ture Whenua Act 1993.

 

 

1.1    Accounts

 

Annual accounts must be supplied in support of a grant application to the Whanganui Community Foundation. These annual accounts must:

  • Be no older than 18 months at the time of the application closing date
    • e.g. if a grant application closes on 30 June 2023, accounts older than 31 December 2021 cannot be used to support the application
  • Be signed by two organisation representatives (e.g. two Trustees or Chair and Committee member)
  • For registered charities: meet the content requirements of NZ’s reporting standards for registered charities.

Reviews and Audits

  • If your organisation’s operational expenditure is $500,000 or more, you must supply an audit with your annual accounts, regardless of the size of your grant request.
  • Or, if your request is up to or including $50,000, you must supply a review or audit if you have one.
  • Or, for requests exceeding $50,000, you must supply a review or audit.

 

1.2    Frequency

 

Organisations may only receive one grant in a twelve-month period.

A recipient of a Capital or Housing Grant may also apply for a Quick Response Grant or a Community Support Grant in the same year.

Any applicant in exception to this must discuss with and seek approval prior to submission of the grant application. An exception may occur when an organisation has acted as an umbrella organisation for an applicant and then wishes to submit an application for their own organisation.

 

 

1.3    Complete Applications

 

Applications must be fully complete in order to be assessed and they are required to be signed by two signatories. The two signatories must be associated with the entity of the applicant, be over sixteen years of age and be unrelated.

 

 

2.0    General Exclusion

 

As stated in the Trustee Manual, the Whanganui Community Foundation will not fund:

  • For the benefit of an individual
  • Commercial organisations
  • Prizes or sponsorships
  • Endowments
  • Completed projects - the Foundation does not fund projects in retrospect
  • To refinance or extinguish existing debt
  • International travel
  • Projects seeking to promote religious or political objectives
  • Fundraisers and fundraising activity
  • External providers delivering programmes/resources into schools that can be regarded as part of the delivery of the core curriculum.

 

3.0    Strategic Objective Funding Areas

 

The funding will be distributed across the strategic priorities identified by the Whanganui Community Foundation at their Strategy Day in August 2016. These areas are identified in the new Strategic Plan 2016-2019. The fifth priority was added in 2022.

  1. Children 0-5 years old
  2. Youth at risk
  3. The elderly in our communities
  4. Activities and programmes that strengthen our communities
  5. Housing

 

 

3.1    Children 0-5 years old

 

Objectives:

To enhance the wellbeing of high-needs children aged 0-5 years in our community.

 

Funding Priorities:

  • Improved wellbeing outcomes for high needs children aged 0-5 years
  • Build knowledge and capacity amongst high needs families/whānau1 with children 0-5 years old
  • Collaboration between organisations working in the 0-5 years old area
  • Innovative solutions focused on high-needs children, 0-5 years old.

1 “Strong families/whānau are the bedrock of society and they provide the foundation for healthy child and adolescent development” (Gluckman, 2011). For this reason, it is essential that programmes that target children and young people include their families and whanau. Evidence suggests that programmes are more likely to be effective if a whole of family approach is adopted.

 

Outcomes:

The outcomes the Whanganui Community Foundation is hoping to achieve in this area may include the following:

  • Improved wellbeing outcomes for children aged 0-5 years
  • Strengthened family wellbeing including through whānau ora (empowering whānau as a whole)
  • Improved community programmes that enable children 0-5 years old to thrive
  • Strong relationships and partnerships with other funders, agencies and communities
  • A strengthened not for profit sector that targets children aged 0-5 years

 

 

3.2    Youth at risk

 

Objectives:

To enhance and foster youth development and create positive outcomes for youth at risk2, including YNEET/SWEET.

 

Funding Priorities:

  • Improved wellbeing outcomes for youth at risk
  • Fostering the development of youth at risk
  • Collaboration between organisations working in the youth at risk area
  • Programmes are well grounded in evidence and research, and apply best practice
  • Building knowledge and capacity amongst families/whānau with youth at risk
  • Innovative solutions applied to youth at risk.

2 Youth at Risk, including YNEET/ SWEET are defined as young people aged 12-24 not in education, employment or training. Age definition consistent with the Ministry for Youth Development.

 

Outcomes:

The outcomes Whanganui Community Foundation is hoping to achieve in this area may include the following:

  • Improved wellbeing outcomes for youth at risk.
  • Strengthened family wellbeing including through whānau ora.
  • Improved community programmes that support youth at risk.
  • Strong relationships and partnerships with other funders, agencies and communities.
  • A strengthened not for profit sector that targets youth at risk.

 

 

3.3    Elderly in our Communities

 

Objectives:

To enhance the wellbeing of isolated elderly3 in our community.

 

Funding Priorities:

  • Improved outcomes for isolated elderly in the community
  • Encourage intergenerational development and learning
  • Encourage participation of isolated elderly in the community
  • Collaboration between organisations working in the elderly area
  • Innovative solutions to support positive outcomes for isolated elderly in the community.

3 Elderly are defined as from 65+ years. Age definition consistent with Statistics NZ. 

 

Outcomes:

The outcomes Whanganui Community Foundation is hoping to achieve in this area might include the following:

  • Improved wellbeing outcomes for isolated elderly in the community.
  • Delivery of evidence-based community programmes that support isolated elderly in the community.
  • Strong relationships and partnerships with other funders, agencies and communities.
  • A strengthened not for profit sector that targets elderly in the community.

 

 

3.4    Activities and programmes that strengthen our communities

 

Objectives:

To increase community connectedness and foster community well-being.

 

Funding Priorities:

  • Strengthen relationships, collaborations and partnerships between community organisations
  • Projects that recognise and support the region’s diverse cultures
  • Support the growth and development of the community
  • Projects that ensure accessibility for all
  • Protect and preserve the region’s heritage and environment
  • Show evidence of community ownership

 

Outcomes:

The outcomes the Whanganui Community Foundation is hoping to achieve in this area might include the following:

  • Strong cohesive communities where people feel encouraged and are enabled to participate
  • Strong relationships and partnerships with other funders, agencies and communities

 

 

3.5    Housing

 

Objectives:

To address issues of housing and homelessness in the Whanganui Community Foundation rohe.

 

Funding Priorities:

  • Projects and purposes directly related to housing, including, but not limited to: provision of emergency housing and support for people experiencing homelessness; supply, repair and maintenance of infrastructure such as electricity, water and sewage; house maintenance; organisations providing legal support or access to financial services.
  • Projects that struggle to raise finance from governmental sources due to location, inflexibility or other factors
  • Projects that can leverage the grant to raise further funding from government or other funders
  • Projects that will aid those most in need due to remoteness, deprivation, lack of infrastructure, or underserved by other providers
  • Applicants that show evidence of strong commitment to the community, community consultation, and cultural awareness.

 

Outcomes:

The outcomes the Whanganui Community Foundation is hoping to achieve in this area might include the following:

  • Communities where everyone has affordable access to a safe, healthy home
  • Communities where residents are empowered to implement solutions to housing issues that fit their unique circumstance
  • Communities where families and whānau flourish, not limited by housing availability, affordability or quality issue
  • Increased flow of government and philanthropic funding into housing initiatives, leveraged off seed funding and successful prototype projects.

 

 

4.0    Funding Framework

 

The funding framework sits across the strategic objectives identified by Whanganui Community Foundation:

  1. Children 0-5 years old
  2. Youth at risk
  3. The elderly in our communities
  4. Activities and programmes that strengthen our communities.
  5. Housing

 

The following funding programmes can respond to the strategic priorities of the Foundation. The diagram indicates the match between the funding programme and the strategic priorities:

  • Quick Response Grants
  • Community Support Grants
  • Special Purposes (Housing)
  • Provision for Capital Projects

 

Whanganui Community Foundation Funding

 

 

4.1    Quick Response Grants

 

Introduction:
 
The intention of the Quick Response grants is to respond to the needs of communities through an assessment and decision process that is prompt. The grant will focus on activities and programmes that strengthen the communities of the Whanganui region.


Principles:

  • Total annual expenditure on Quick Response grants should represent no more than 20% of the annual budget. Average $200,000.
  • Grants will be flexible and may cover seed funding, operational costs, programme costs, equipment or capacity building cost.
  • More frequent closing dates and simpler application process to ensure responsiveness to community needs.
  • Supporting documentation to include annual accounts, a quote if equipment included in application, and a project budget.
  • Clear priorities and assessment criteria will be defined to allow quick response decisions.
  • Quick Response Grants can be a maximum of $10,000.
  • At a future date, Quick Response Grants may move to delegated authority for which policy will be developed.

 

Priorities:

  • Priorities will be identified within Strategic Objective 4: Activities and programmes that strengthen our communities.

 

Criteria:

  • Capacity and capability to deliver.
  • Clear outcomes.
  • Programmes based on sector best practice (where appropriate).
  • Alignment with strategic objectives and identified priorities.
  • Collaboration.

 

Funding Process:

The Quick Response Grants will be from a contestable fund whereby community groups will submit applications on a rolling basis throughout the year. These will be reviewed at every board meeting. The Whanganui Community Foundation is introducing more frequent closing dates and a simple application process to allow us to be more responsive to the needs of our community.

 

 

4.2    Community Support Grants

 

Introduction:

The intention of the Community Support Grants is to respond to the needs of communities through an assessment and decision process. The grant will focus on high needs children 0-5 years’ old, youth at risk, and the isolated elderly of our communities.

 

Principles:

  • Total annual expenditure on Community Support Grants should represent no more than 30% of the annual budget.
  • Grants will be flexible and may cover seed funding, operational costs, programme costs, equipment costs or capacity building cost.
  • Four closing dates per year. Funding rounds with a simple application process but with more supporting documentation required than for the Quick Response grants.
  • Supporting documentation to include annual accounts, annual report, a quote if equipment requested, and a project budget.
  • Clear priorities and assessment criteria will be defined to allow consistent decision making.
  • Community Support grants will be between $10,001 and $100,000.
  • Multi-year grants up to a maximum of three years will be considered.
  • Projects will be funded within budget and policy area priorities.

 

Priorities:

Priorities will be identified to fit within our Strategic Objectives:

  1. Children 0-5 years old
  2. Youth at risk
  3. The elderly in our communities

 

Criteria:

  • Capacity and capability to deliver.
  • Clear outcomes.
  • Programmes based on sector best practice (where appropriate).
  • Alignment with strategic objectives and identified priorities.
  • Collaboration.

 

Funding Process:

The Community Support grants will be a contestable fund whereby community groups will submit applications at closing dates throughout the year. As for the Quick Response grants, more frequent closing dates and a simple application process will enable Whanganui Community Foundation to be responsive to the needs of the community. However, additional targeted information gathering, and assessment will be undertaken for a Community Support Grant, for example, information about the organisation will be gathered from the website and a phone call.

 

 

4.3    Provision for Capital Projects

 

Introduction – fit with strategy:
 
The intention of Provision for Capital Projects is to provide capital grants which create a significant beneficial impact for the communities of the Whanganui region. It provides the opportunity for Whanganui Community Foundation to support projects of significance and apply innovative approaches. They are likely to have intergenerational benefit, have wide impact, and may have regional benefit.
Provision for Capital Project grants may include partnership funding with other major funding partners such as local government, lotteries, philanthropic or government funders, or a combination of funding.

 

Principles:

  • Capital projects reserve:
    • To be added to each year at the rate of $100,000 (or 10% of Grants Budget) to be taken from the Grants Budget.
    • To be used for capital projects, where the request to the Whanganui Community Foundation is $100,000 or more.
  • Alignment with strategic objectives and identified priorities.

 

Criteria:

  • Capacity and capability to deliver.
  • Clear outcomes framework and previous demonstration of outcomes (track record).
  • Alignment with the strategic objectives and priorities for the Whanganui Community Foundation.
  • Based on best practice where applicable.
  • Demonstration of collaboration and/or partnership.

 

Funding Process:

This is a targeted fund that will take time to evolve.

The Whanganui Community Foundation may proactively seek to make capital grants and may also respond to requests for support from other funders or grantees. These may include a response to significant need, or where the Whanganui Community Foundation sees there is potential for a strong return on investment.

Applications involve a two-stage assessment process:

  1. Expression of interest phase for Trustee approval – short application (brief outline of project, what they want to achieve, financial status, and supporting documentation).
  2. Full application from preferred providers.

The ability to raise additional funding will be part of the criteria for those applying and preference will be given to those who are able to demonstrate this.

 

 

4.4    Special Purpose Grants

 

Introduction – fit with strategy:

The intention of Special Purpose Grants is to allow the Foundation to focus significant funding on a specific community need over a period of time. The target of the funds is to be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that the need still exists and that the Foundation’s focus on it is still relevant.

The first Special Purpose, housing, was chosen in 2021 in response to a survey of community organisations, which indicated strongly that housing is the most significant issue affecting the communities of the Whanganui, Rangitīkei and Waimarino areas.

 

Principles:

  • Fund to be seeded with $400,000 on 1 April each year
  • Applicants may apply for amounts up to $250,000, or more with the prior approval of the Board
  • Applications may be made for operational, capacity-building, project and/or capital costs
  • Generally only one grant per applicant in a 12-month period, with limited exceptions for need and timing issues
  • Choice of Special Purpose to be reviewed annually by means of research and/or partnership with a suitable research organisation

 

Criteria:

  • Capacity and capability to deliver.
  • Clear outcomes framework and previous demonstration of outcomes (track record).
  • Alignment with the strategic objectives and priorities for the Whanganui Community Foundation.
  • Based on best practice where applicable.
  • Demonstration of collaboration and/or partnership.

 

Purpose of “Housing” Special Purpose

  • To assist organisations which aid in providing suitable, safe and healthy housing for people in the WCF rohe

 

The following criteria may be applied for “Housing” Special Purpose

  • Projects that will aid those most in need due to remoteness, deprivation, lack of infrastructure, or underserved by other providers
  • Projects that struggle to raise finance from governmental sources due to location, inflexibility or other factors
  • Projects that can leverage the grant to raise further funding from government or other funders
  • Innovative approaches
  • Applicants that show evidence of strong commitment to the community, community consultation, and cultural awareness.

 

Funding Process:

Applications involve a two-stage assessment process:

  1. Expression of interest phase for Trustee approval – short application (brief outline of project, what they want to achieve, financial status, and supporting documentation). EOIs may be submitted in time for any regular board meeting.
  2. After the EOI, the Board has the following options:
    • Decline the application outright
    • Defer the EOI decision until a later date
    • Request a full application to be received at a future board meeting
    • Give a grant, subject to any conditions it sees fit.

 

 

4.5    Grants Reserve

 

  • $2.5m to be taken from accumulated income to form a reserve to cover up to three years of a grants budget in case of a prolonged downturn in investment income.
  • This reserve will require topping-up only if drawdowns have occurred.

 

 

5.0    Funding Policy

 

The Quick Response Grant, Community Support Grant and Special Purposes (Housing) Grant funding will be considered for costs relating to one or more of the following:

  • operating costs
  • programme/project costs
  • capacity and capability building
  • leadership development
  • resources, equipment
  • community activities and events


For Capital Projects, funding will also be considered for costs relating to:

  • capital expenditure
  • minor capital works


For Special Purposes (Housing), funding will also be considered for costs relating to:

  • capital expenditure
  • minor capital works
  • seed funding

 

 

5.1     Assessment Criteria

 

Support will be considered for organisations that can have a collaborative and efficient approach:

  • alignment with strategic objectives and identified priorities
  • capacity and capability to deliver
  • clear outcomes
  • programmes based on sector best practice
  • demonstrated approach to collaboration and efficiencies
  • innovation

 

The following factors will also be considered during the assessment process:

  • financial capacity – current funding sources including government contracts and fundraising capability
  • organisational capacity – support from funding partners/key sector organisations
  • sustainability
  • track record
  • potential for duplication of existing services
  • number of people who will benefit.

 

Additional criteria for Capital Projects over $100,000:

In general, funding priority will be given to those projects that most closely align with the Whanganui Community Foundation’s strategic objectives and identified priorities, are well planned at a strategic development level, and have the organisational capability to deliver. Whanganui Community Foundation expects organisations would be able to demonstrate a contribution towards the cost of the projects.

 

Specifically, projects will be assessed against the following areas:

  • How the project enhances the interaction and participation of people in the community
  • The number and breadth of people who benefit from the project
  • Financial sustainability
  • Environmental impact, including that of buildings

 

 

6.0    Assessing Grant Applications

 

In addition to assessing grant applications against the strategic objectives and funding policy outlined in the previous sections, rubrics may also be used for assessment purposes. 

 

For the Community Support grant and Capital Projects, applications should be initially assessed against the strategic objectives and funding policy, followed by a face to face meeting, and then against the rubric.

The grants assessor compiles information for Trustees about each applicant, with level of detail determined by the type of grants, along with a recommendation. For example,

 

Quick Response Grant – Assessment Information

Brief paragraph about the organisation and a project summary
 

Community Response Grant – Assessment Information

Detailed description of the organisation, project, financial statement and assessment, previous funding, board members, budget, along with assessment.
 

Provisional Capital Projects and Special Purposes (Housing) – Assessment Information

Two-stage assessment reports

  1. Outline of project, intended outcomes, financial status, capacity building and evaluation approach, and supporting documentation for shortlisting purposes.

  2. For shortlisted applicants, detailed description including:

a.   the organisation and project,
b.   financial statement and assessment,
c.   previous funding,
d.   board members,
e.   budget

 

 

7.0    Progress and Impact Reporting

 

Progress reporting for multi-year grants over $50,000 (for example) is required, and may be linked to payments if a grant is to be paid in stages. This could apply to Special Purposes Grants, and some Community Support Grants.

Progress reports might include information such as:

  • Was the money spent as intended?
  • What has been achieved?
  • Any issues emerging which require assistance?

 

A 12-month Post Project Impact Form for Quick Response Grants and Community Support Grants funding could be used to gather information about specific outcomes achieved from the grant. This could include outcomes regarding both the organisation and the wider community.

 

Information gathered might include:

  • Was the money spent as intended?
  • Were the outcomes achieved and what changed or was different?
  • Who benefited and in what way?

High Investment Grants will require more detailed and regular reporting.

 

 

8.0    Change of Purpose

 

The Whanganui Community Foundation has the authority to vary the purpose of an existing approved grant at the request of the applicant.

 

 

9.0    Out of Time

 

The Whanganui Community Foundation has the authority to approve grants that fall outside the usual timetable of Board meetings.

 

 

10.0     Extension of Time

 

The Whanganui Community Foundation may approve an extension of time to uplift grant.

 

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