Chief executive Barbara Bridger said every grant represented a story of community effort and determination.
"It’s incredibly rewarding to see how grants made by the trust continue to empower people and projects to thrive is this wonderful region we have the privilege of calling home."
At its May meeting, the CLT board approved $1,319,138 in grants, bringing the total grants approved since inception in 2000 to just over $178m.
Its most recent grants span a wide range of initiatives, including improving access to health services and upgrading recreational facilities.
Kidney Health New Zealand received $29,000 towards a programme that will carry out 1350 tests through a community programme that will take kidney disease screening to where people live, work and gather.
General manager Madi Keay said one in 10 New Zealanders had kidney disease and most did not know.
When kidney disease was found early, it could be slowed or even halted through diet and lifestyle changes supported by appropriate medication, she said.
The trust began with $155m vested in it on the disestablishment of the Otago Central Electric Power Trust.
Other grant recipients:
Central Lakes Trust region:
Baskets of Blessing Operational Grant July 2026 — June 2029 $109,500
Blind Low Vision NZ Operational Grant July 2026 — June 2029 $48,743
Community Care Trust Operational Grant July 2026 — June 2027 $60,000
Headlight Trust Programme Grant June 2026 — March 2027 $41,666
Royal New Zealand Plunket Trust Operational Grant July 2026 — June 2029 $100,000
Uruuruwhenua Hauora Operational Grant July 2026 — June 2027 $100,000
CanInspire Operational Grant July 2026 — June 2027 $4335
Lower South Island Snow Sports Special Olympics Snow Sports 2026 $8000
Central Otago District Council region:
Sport Otago Operational Grant July 2026 — June 2029 $65,614
Cromwell:
Cromwell Community House Emergency Support Discretionary Fund $45,600
QLDC region:
Te Atamira Whakatipu Community Trust Programme Grant July 2026 — June 2027 $170,000
Upper Clutha:
WAI Wānaka Operational Grant July 2026 — June 2029 $150,000
Holy Family Catholic School Wānaka Court Resurfacing $44,000
Community Link Upper Clutha Emergency Support Discretionary Fund $81,840
Prime Timers Operational Grant June 2026 — May 2027 $9900
Vincent:
Alexandra Community Advice Network Inc Operational Grant July 2026 — June 2029 $11,000
Alexandra Community House Emergency Support Discretionary Fund $45,600
Wakatipu:
Presbyterian Support Southland Operational Grant July 2026 — June 2029 $72,500
Snow Sports NZ Charitable Trust Central Lakes Adaptive Snow Sports 2026 $25,000
Salvation Army — Queenstown Emergency Support Discretionary Fund $81,840
DRC Southland Operational Grant July 2026 — June 2027 $15,000 — Allied Media
