Nelson City Council

Funding is available for community organisations that provide services aligned with Nelson’s community outcomes. The community outcomes were developed by the Council, together with the community, and define the vision of Nelson that the community wants to see happen. Read more about the Community Outcomes.

Approximately $400,000 is available for funding each year, of which 10 - 20% is for one-off grants and the remainder is for multi-year community contracts that can be up to four years. Because there are multi-year contracts, much of the community contract dollars are committed each year.

Funding allocations for 2010/11

A total of $90,690 will be injected into the community in this financial year and will have a significant positive effect on many residents. This years figure is on top of the $345,000 already committed to contracts last year, making a total of $436,284 from the fund. All contracts have been awarded for one year only, as the Social Wellbeing Policy is being reviewed and will be completed next year. Due to the smaller allocation available this year, one year contracts were granted to give applicants the chance to apply again for the 2011/2012 funding without being disadvantaged.

Click here to see the full list of allocations for 2010/11.

Groups, clubs and organizations can apply for two different kinds of funding:

• One-off grants which are for a maximum of $2,500.
• Community contracts can be for periods between one and four years and have no maximum dollar limit.

Community outcomes

The community outcomes developed by Council together with the community as part of a ten year plan, define the community’s vision of Nelson. They are:

• Healthy land, sea, air, and water - we protect the natural environment
• People-friendly places - we build healthy, accessible and attractive places and live in a sustainable region
• A strong economy - we all benefit from a sustainable, innovative and diversified economy
• Kind, healthy people - we are part of a welcoming, safe, inclusive and healthy community
• A fun, creative culture - we are proud of our creative local culture and regional identity
• Good leadership - our leaders are proactive, innovative, and inclusive

What is the difference between one-off grants and community contracts?

Organisations can apply for a community contract or one off grant. Community contracts can vary from one to four years and will include an agreement between Council and the recipient organisation that they provide an annual report to Council and present their audited financial accounts annually.

One off grants will require some reporting back to Council on how the funding was used and the outcomes that were achieved. One off grants are for a maximum of $2,500.

An organisation that already has a community contract may also apply for a one-off grant.

Timeline and process 2010

• Applications were invited from 14 June 2010.
• Applications closed at 10am on 12 July 2010.  Late applications will not be considered.  Notification in receipt of your application will be sent within 10 days of reception.  Please contact Nicola Mercer on 03 546 0217 if you have not heard from us within this period.
• A Council meeting will be held on 9 August 2010.  At this meeting, applicants for community contracts, who meet the stated criteria, will be invited to make a presentation on their application.  This opportunity is for applicants for contracts only, not applicants for one-off grants.  Councillors will then consider all applications and decide which ones to support, and to what level. Please note: The Council meeting to consider applications is an open meeting.  Accordingly all applications will be in the public domain.
• Applicant organisations will be notified soon after the meeting if their proposal has been successful or not.
• Staff will contact successful applicants to negotiate final agreements for community contracts, and to advise the process for payment of grants.

Charitable purpose status

Only groups, clubs and organisations that are registered with the charities commission, or that can demonstrate that for tax purposes they are considered "not for profit" will be eligible for financial community assistance.  This means that organisations that have either "donee" or "approved charity" status approved by the Inland Revenue Department are eligible. If registered with the Charities Commission please include your registration number in your application.  

Being an incorporated society or exempt from income tax is not in itself sufficient.

Criteria - all applications

1. Applications must demonstrate the contribution the project will make to the Council's Community Outcomes "Our Goals for Nelson/Whakatu".
2. Proof of charitable/not for profit status must be provided with each application.
3. Retrospective funding will not be considered.
4. Preference is given for initiatives within Nelson and that benefit Nelson residents.
5. Other factors that will be considered are:
   • The value of the project to the community in comparison to the cost to Council.
   • The level to which the wider community will be involved in the project.
   • The past achievements or potential of the organisation.
   • The ability of the organisation to successfully administer the grant/contract and deliver the outcomes.
   • Contribution to other Council Policies/Strategies.
6. Organisations can apply for a one-off grant and/or contract (only one of each per year).
7. Preference is for applications that leverage additional funding as demonstrated by documentation of applications lodged with, or offers of funding from other funders.
8. Successful applicants must acknowledge Nelson City Council support in promotional material wherever possible.  

More information on Community Contracts

• Community contracts can be for one to four years.
• Applications for community contracts should be made on the community contracts application form.  Support information including 1 recent bank statement no more than 6 months old and the last annual financial report reviewed or audited by an accountant must be provided. You may also provide a one page covering letter (optional).
• Successful applications will be offered a written contract specifying outcomes, payment and reporting processes. These will include an annual report to Council and a copy of the most recent audited financial accounts.
• There is no specified maximum amount for community contract applications; this is limited however by available funding.

One-off Grants

• Between 10 to 20% of funds will annually be available for one-off grants.
• One off grants are for a maximum of $2,500.
• Applications for one-off grants should be made on the one-off grants application form.  Up to two pages of supporting information can be included with an application (a cover letter is counted as one). One-off grants will require some reporting back on outcomes achieved within six months of expenditure of funding. 
• One-off grants cannot be used for ongoing expenses and applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient resources to implement the project.
• Applications for one-off funding can also be for underwriting of projects up to $10,000. This amount is limited by available funds.

Accountability

Recipients that fail to submit accountability reports, or that have not spent the money in accordance with the application/contract, maybe asked to return all or part of the funding.  Community contracts will continue or be terminated conditional on receipt of satisfactory reports.

Failure to submit acceptable accountability reports may affect a recipient's eligibility to receive any Community Assistance in future.

Contact and further information

For further information or to discuss your application please contact Community Liaison Adviser, Social Development on +64 3 546 0217. Find out more information on Council policies and strategies.