ASB Community Trust moving to sector closing dates

April 30, 2007

ASB Community Trust moving to sector closing dates

Auckland’s biggest grant-maker, ASB Community Trust, has set closing dates for when it will accept grant applications.

The Trust grants about $45 million to community groups in the Auckland and Northland regions each year. It has not previously had closing dates.

“Since our Trust began making grants in 1988, we have accepted applications at any time,” says Trust CEO Jennifer Gill. “However, we are now the only major trust in the country with such a policy and the increasing complexity of applications has made us review our system.”

Grants will still be made once a month, but each Trust board meeting will look at grants in a specific sector, so similar applications can be compared in the areas of education, the arts, sport and recreation, environment and heritage, health and welfare, community economic development, and community facilities.

“We believe this will give the community greater clarity, while allowing us to focus our attention on organisations working in the same field,” says Ms Gill.

“The introduction last year of an annual closing date for major capital project applications has run very smoothly, giving staff, trustees and applicants clarity around the process and the timelines. Community feedback has indicated that similar closing dates, and an indication of time-lines for decision making, would reduce uncertainty for applicant groups and allow them to plan their projects better.”

The new closing dates are:
 Marae/community economic development/Health & Social Services: February 1 and July 1 each year.
 Arts and culture: April 1 and September 1.
 Sport and Recreation/Community Facilities: May 1 and October 1.
 Environment and heritage/Education: June 1 and November 1.
 Major capital projects: September 1 each year.

Full details of the changes are on the Trust’s website. However, The Trust says it does not want the changes to cause stress and hardship in the not-for-profit sector, so people are encouraged to make contact and talk through any concerns or questions.

Trust staff are available by telephoning (09) 360-0291, free-phone 0800 272 878 or emailing info@ASBCommunityTrust.org.nz More details of the changes are online at: www.ASBCommunityTrust.org.nz/Funding-overview.html

About ASB Community Trust
ASB Community Trust decides on grants for groups and projects in Auckland and Northland. Founded on the sale of its shares in the ASB bank, the Trust has granted more than $600m since being formed in 1988.

Any incorporated or charitable trust in Auckland and Northland can apply for funds, provided they are a not-for-profit organisation.

For more details about applying, visit the Trust’s website: www.ASBCommunityTrust.org.nz

ENDS

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