Trust hands out more than $1.1 million in grants to community organisations

Grants of more than $1.1 million have been made by the Otago Community Trust in its latest funding round.

The Otago Community Trust will distribute $1,177,317 to 35 community groups around the region.

Up-Cycles Charitable Trust received $8000 to expand its Community of Bike Ambassadors programme. The programme equips young people with cycling skills, leadership abilities and first aid knowledge, enabling them to assist others on Central Otago’s cycle trails.

"We are aiming to deliver to 60 rangatahi this year, which will undoubtedly make a difference in our community," project director Chris Foggin said.

"We have already seen attendees from previous cohorts using their skills on our trail network."

The programme will be delivered to six schools across Central Otago. Each ambassador receives equipment such as a first aid kit, backpack and cycle tools.

After the devastating fire at Lake Ōhau in 2020, the Ōhau Conservation Trust began the Avoca Forest restoration project. Planting of the native forest has been under way since 2022 and an additional boost of $3000 has been granted to continue its development. The funding will support the creation of recreational spaces, installation of plant identification signs and equipment for volunteer activities. Since the project began, volunteers have planted 4481 native plants and created 1140m of walking track in this valued community space.

Eleven social service organisations received a total of $824,700 to support their work in the community.

Otago Youth Wellness Trust was awarded $119,700 to support its Wraparound and Rangatahi group service, which provides integrated support for young people with high and multiple needs.

Southern Youth Development received $94,500 for its Rangatahi Success and Wellbeing programmes, which offer employment, education opportunities and personal development for young people aged 12-24.

Age Concern Otago was granted $68,250 to continue its services supporting older people.

The arts sector, particularly music, also received support in this funding round. Musical Theatre Dunedin was awarded $15,700 to assist with staging Chess The Musical, continuing its nearly 100-year tradition of producing quality amateur theatre in Dunedin.

Chamber Music NZ received $11,800 to support the chamber’s 2025 programme.

Rockquest Charitable Trust was granted $9000 to hold Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats events in Otago, providing young musicians with professional performance experience.

Choirs Aotearoa NZ Trust ($5000) and Central Otago Regional Choir ($2500) received funding to support singing initiatives and concert series across multiple Otago locations.