Cromwell Rotary Club president Helen Wreford-Dunbar signs
the deed for the Lend A Hand Foundation in Alexandra
yesterday. Photo by Rosie Manins.
Trustpower's Lend A Hand Foundation has been launched in
Central Otago as a joint initiative with the Cromwell,
Alexandra, and Roxburgh Rotary clubs.
It will provide funding to charitable organisations and
individuals within the district using annual grants from
TrustPower, local business support, and money generated
through fundraising.
A $15,000 grant from the electricity company got the ball
rolling at an official opening of the fund in Alexandra
yesterday.
The foundation's annual $15,000 grant from TrustPower for the
next financial year would also be advanced to the
organisation by June, to give certainty to the initiative,
TrustPower's community relations manager, Graeme Purches,
said.
"Then the fund will have $30,000 for Rotary to work with
while other finances become available from local businesses
and fundraising. This initiative is about the power of many -
with all the different people and organisations involved -
and it's a great way to put something back into the
community," he said.
TrustPower established the foundation in Dunedin in 2004 and
on the West Coast in February last year. Mr Purches said,
eventually, the company hoped to establish similar funds
throughout areas of New Zealand involved in the annual
TrustPower community awards.
Applications to the Central Otago fund were being accepted,
and could be made through the three Rotary clubs.
Those applying for grants had to show how an individual or
organisation was already contributing to a project, as the
fund was about "hand-ups not hand-outs", Mr Purches said.
Most grants were capped at $500, although more could be given
in special circumstances.
Each individual or organisation was limited to one grant a
year.
The three Rotary clubs would administer the fund, with
facilitation by TrustPower.
Mr Purches said as a corporate sponsor the company was
committed to the fund for five years, after which it had a
right of renewal.
The first grants should be made in Central Otago by April, he
said.
- rosie.manins@odt.co.nz
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