Tuesday 5 February

In 2018 more than $3.3 million was granted to 102 community groups in Auckland and Northland through the SKYCITY Auckland Community Trust, with the aim of supporting families to thrive and communities to prosper.

The call has gone out to notify community organisations that 2019 applications are now open and groups are encouraged to view the funding criteria and apply before 29 March.

The Trust prioritises groups or programmes that encourage financial capability, employment and economic prosperity for healthy and stable families and youth.

Many of the grants support the salaries and wages of counsellors, case workers, coordinators, coaches, managers, advocates, social workers, team leaders, senior nurses and mentors of these community groups; an area increasingly difficult to find funding for.

Since establishing the SKYCITY Auckland Community Trust in 1996, SKYCITY has distributed more than NZ$50.8 million. More than 4,400 community groups and organisations, large and small have received funding through three Community Trusts in Auckland, Hamilton and Queenstown.

Examples of projects or groups the SKYCITY Auckland Community Trust supported in 2018: Auckland City Mission - $1 million grant over five years ($200,000 pa) to contribute to the construction of a new Housing First facility on the Hobson Street site. This is the second year of the five year grant.

Te Whakaora Tangata - $70,000 to support salaries to assist in the delivery of the Restore programme. Te Whakaora Tangata is dedicated to restoring South Auckland families desperately in need of a better future – whanau overwhelmed by poverty, child abuse, sexual abuse, gangs, drugs, and violence.

ZEAL Education Trust - $42,016 to assist in funding two of their Youth Workers. Zeal Youth Workers are key in guiding and supporting young people in their personal, social and educational development, helping them to set goals and discover their potential.

Christians Against Poverty New Zealand - $80,000 to assist with funding for caseworkers in the Debt Help service, who help and support families in unmanageable debt, as they work to repay debt and become financially independent.

Big Buddy Mentoring Trust - $30,000 to assist with the salary of their South Auckland Coordinator who will recruit, screen, and train adult men as volunteer long-term mentors for fatherless boys.

The SKYCITY Auckland Community Trust seeks to help local and regional organisations carry out community assistance and development work, focussing on supporting families to thrive and communities to prosper.

ENDS

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