Mazda Foundn Grants Wishes for Community Projects

MEDIA RELEASE
5 May 2008

Mazda Foundation Grants Wishes for Community Projects

Hundreds of financially disadvantaged children will have warm and dry feet this winter, thanks to a grant from the Mazda Foundation to the KidsCan Shoes for Kids programme.

The $5,000 grant was one of twelve grants totalling $78,000 handed out by the Mazda Foundation in its latest funding round.

Carl Sunderland, KidsCan Charitable Trust spokesperson said the organisation was extremely grateful for further support from the Mazda Foundation, which supported its Raincoats for Kids programme in 2007.

“The Shoes for Kids programme provides underprivileged children with shoes, a necessity which is often taken for granted. An alarming number of children around New Zealand attend school in winter with no shoes, or with shoes that are in an appalling condition.

“This grant will provide quality footwear and two pairs of socks to 250 underprivileged children – keeping their little feet warm and dry throughout winter, and boosting their self-esteem.”

The largest grant of $24,000 was gifted to the Performing Arts Competition Association of New Zealand (PACANZ). This is the third consecutive year the Mazda Foundation has funded PACANZ, once again providing tuition scholarships for twelve winners and finalists in the 2008 National Young Performer Awards.

Annette Johnstone, PACANZ executive officer, said the Mazda Foundation tuition scholarships provide the financial support New Zealand’s young performers need to further their careers.

“Violinist Amalia Hall, who won the Instrumental category in last year’s awards, used her Mazda Foundation tuition scholarship to attend auditions for six music schools in the US in February. She has since been accepted into the most prestigious, the Curtis Institute, and will commence her studies there this year along with some of the world’s most talented musicians.”

Among the other successful applications was the funding of a guide dog, musical equipment to promote self esteem among at-risk youth, equipment for a youth development institute, financial assistance to enable disabled students to attend the Riding-for-the-Disabled programme, as well as native tree gardens and sun-shielding sail cloths for primary schools.

Andrew Clearwater, Mazda Foundation chairman, said there are a number of community projects that struggle to get off the ground as they often don’t fulfil the criteria of many funding bodies.

“The Mazda Foundation has been set up to support a range of projects – be it larger national programmes, smaller community projects or even assistance for individuals.

“In the seven rounds of funding since the Mazda Foundation was launched two years ago we have distributed over half a million dollars to more than 100 individuals and organisations throughout New Zealand.”

There are three closing dates each year for submissions to the Mazda Foundation; 31st March, 30th June and 30th September. For more information or to register for a grant people should visit www.mazdafoundation.org.nz

About the Mazda Foundation: www.mazdafoundation.org.nz

The Mazda Foundation is a charitable trust that provides assistance to a broad cross – section of charitable entities and causes throughout New Zealand.

Submissions are received from the public and three rounds of funding are carried out each year to assist individuals and organisations with environmental, educational, skills development, cultural and community projects.

The Mazda Foundation Trust is funded through sales of new Mazda vehicles, support from Mazda dealers throughout the country as well as dedicated fundraising activity by Mazda New Zealand.

Grants awarded for application period ended 31 March 2008

Organisation Location Amount
Aotea Youth Symphony National programme $1,929.38
Motu Moana Green Bay Scout Group Green Bay, Auckland $4,154.96
One Tree Point School One Tree Point, Northland $1,973.16
Rutherford Primary School Te Atatu, Auckland $5,000.00
CCS Disabililty Action Waitaki District $2,000.00
KidsCan Charitable Trust National programme $5,000.00
Bayview School Glenfield, Auckland $3,792.85
Ruapehu College Ohakune $2,500.00
The Wellington Boys & Girls Institute Wellington Central $8,999.00
Whangaroa College Kaeo, Northland $6,495.00
Royal NZ Foundation of the Blind National Programme $12,500.00
Performing Arts Assoc. NZ Inc Tauranga $24,000.00

ENDS

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