Rātā Foundation has announced $617,000 will go to community groups in Canterbury in its most recent funding round, focused on large and multi-year funding.

Tagata Moana Trust, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the advancement of Pacific peoples living in Aotearoa, will receive $110,000. The organisation’s focus is on using Pacific arts, language and culture to drive STEAM education and experiences for Pacific peoples of all ages. Sport in the region is also set to benefit, with $100,000 funding for Canterbury West Coast Sports Trust (Sport Canterbury). Other funding recipients include organisations from the arts, education, social services, and disability sectors.

Canterbury will also benefit from an additional $495,000 for multi-region funding (for organisations that bridge two or more of its funding regions).

This funding round is one of four additional rounds reserved for large and multi-year grants, in addition to the eight funding rounds for smaller grants each year.

Chief Executive Leighton Evans says: "At Rātā, our aim is to support communities so that nothing gets in the way of people being able to make the most of life. With responsive and proactive community investment, alongside strategic partnerships and strong relationships, Rātā can help achieve more, and we are seeing that through the long-term positive impact our partnership organisations are making in their respective communities."

Rātā manages a pūtea (fund) of around $700 million, enabling an investment of around $25 million per annum into its funding regions of Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough and the Chatham Islands. Since its inception in 1988, Rātā has invested over $550 million through community investment programmes to empower people to thrive.

Canterbury funding:

Arts Foundation of New Zealand, $55,000

Canterbury West Coast Sports Trust (T/A Sport Canterbury), $110,000

Disabled Persons Assembly (New Zealand) Incorporated, $40,000

Neighbourhood Trust, $50,000

Oak Development Trust, $35,000

Petersgate Trust, $40,000

Social Service Council of the Diocese of Christchurch - Tenants Protection - Collaboration, $60,000

Tagata Moana Trust, $110,000

The Kind Foundation, $40,000

Woolston Development Project Incorporated, $40,000

WORD Christchurch, $37,000

Nelson funding:

Motueka High School, $56,799

Nelson Women's Centre Te Whare Āwhina Mō Ngā Wāhine Puawai Incorporated, $I35,000

Project De-Vine Trust, $135,000

Te Whare Mahana Trust Board, $41,000

Building project (multi-year): Whakatu Group Riding for the Disabled Incorporated, $120,000

Marlborough funding:

Marlborough Pacific Trust, $50,000

Marlborough District Council- Future of Work, $10,000

Building project (multi-year): Wairau Pa Marae (2020) Incorporated, $130,508

Multi-region funding:

English Language Partners New Zealand Trust, $50,000

NZ Family And Foster Care Federation Incorporated, $40,000

Talk Link Trust, $45,000

Tasman Regional Sports Trust (T/A Sport Tasman), $115,000

The Open Home Foundation of New Zealand, $65,000

Youthline Central South Island, $45,000

© Scoop Media