Community groups invited to apply for funds from Fonterra

Community groups invited to apply for funds from Fonterra

Source: MediaCom

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Community projects and groups around New Zealand are about to get a helping hand from our largest dairy company.

Each year, the Fonterra Grass Roots Fund helps up to 300 groups, supporting community initiatives through grants to schools and educational groups, charitable trusts, sports clubs and local emergency services.

Applications for the next round of grants close on 31 March 2016 and Fonterra’s Global Sponsorship Manager Kane Silcock is encouraging local organisations to ask for help to get their projects underway.

"It’s a way for Fonterra and our owners, Kiwi farmers, to give back to the communities we live and work in," he says.

The Fonterra Grass Roots Fund supports initiatives that enrich people’s lives and make a real impact in the community, says Mr Silcock.

Grants range from $500 to $5000 and projects must fit into one of three categories to be considered for funding: Bringing Communities Together, Caring For Our Environment and Making Our Communities Safer.

Calls for applications are open twice each year and the applications received in each round are considered by Fonterra’s sponsorship team and eight regional Fonterra Grass Roots Fund committees, made up of Fonterra shareholders and staff and other community representatives.

"The fund is run by volunteers - people from our sites, support offices and our farmers get to make a difference in the communities they live and work in. It’s very satisfying for them to be able to do that," Mr Silcock says.

The regions are Northland, Auckland, Upper Waikato, Lower Waikato, Central North Island, Lower North Island, Upper South Island and Lower South Island.

The 145 projects that received funding in the August 2015 round of applications included a new pony for the South Auckland Riding For The Disabled group, lifeguard rescue boards for the Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service, new night vision goggles for the Taranaki Volunteer Coastguard and new child car seats for the Balcultha Parents Centre’s hire programme.

In the past, the Fonterra Grass Roots Fund has provided funding for Tauranga’s Women’s Refuge, The Christchurch Kidney Society, Far North Search and Rescue, Kawhia Volunteer Fire Brigade, several local Agricultural and Pastoral shows and many school safety and environmental initiatives.

"The Fonterra Grass Roots Fund is our way of saying thank you by supporting projects and ideas that bring our communities together and make them better, safer, more vibrant places to be," Mr Silcock says.

To find out more about the projects that have been funded, see the full terms and conditions or to apply for a grant, head towww.facebook.com/FonterraGrassRoots.

ENDS

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