Last call for entries to the Fonterra Grass Roots Fund

Last call for entries to the Fonterra Grass Roots Fund

17 August 2015

Schools and community groups across the country could have their wishes granted next month by the Fonterra Grass Roots Fund. But they have to be in quick - applications for the year's second round of funding close on August 31st.

The New Zealand-based sponsorship programme, founded in 2007 by Fonterra, provides grants of between $500 and $5000 for a range of environmental, community and health and safety initiatives implemented by community, sports and educational groups, schools, charitable trusts, emergency services and groups with a connection to the dairy industry.

Fonterra Grass Roots Fund Sponsorship Manager Kane Silcock says strong, healthy communities play an important role in New Zealand as a whole and for the dairy industry in particular.

“We have a responsibility to nourish, care and protect the communities where we live and work,” says Silcock. “As a farmer cooperative, we are committed to supporting the communities where we operate.

“The Fonterra Grass Roots Fund has supported over 1800 initiatives since it was established in 2007, enabling everything from worm farms and recycling facilities for local schools to seedlings for planting programmes.”

The fund aims to foster regional communities by supporting projects, ideas and initiatives that make them safer, more vibrant places to live. The focus is on bringing communities together, caring for the environment and making communities safer, with applications able to be submitted in these three key categories.

Since 2007, the fund has provided over 1,800 grants, helping to fund projects such as providing shade and vegetable gardens at schools, new equipment to voluntary fire services and search and rescue teams, and improving water quality and the safety of car seats.

Funds are allocated primarily in the communities where Fonterra staff, shareholders, suppliers and their families live and work. Eight regional sponsorship committees, covering Northland, Auckland, Upper Waikato, Lower Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Lower North Island, Upper South Island and Lower South Island, ensure that each area is allocated a fair share of grants.

Applications can be submitted throughout the year, and are reviewed and granted twice annually by the regional sponsorship committees, with approximately 150 groups receiving funding in each biannual round.

Applications for this round of funding are due by August 31st, and can be completed at facebook.com/fonterragrassroots.

For more information, please see fonterra.com/au/en/Sustainability/Community

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