The Waitematā Local Board (WLB) has grants of between $3000 and $10,000 available for local Herne Bay organisations, clubs and charities in its January-February 2025 bi-annual funding round. Historically, this funding has not been sought by Herne Bay locals.
Over the 2024/2025 year, the Board has $128,000 for local projects that meet the criteria of Identifying community outcomes through community activities, creative arts, sporting events, public safety ideas, climate change resilience.
To apply, organisations will need to detail what the grant money will be used for, the organisation’s funding history and financial status. Applications will open for a month between January 22, 2025 and February 28, 2025 with a WLB decision made on April 15, 2025 for projects that occur after May 1, 2025.
As far as we can establish, it was this organisation that was the last Herne Bay-based entity that received these grants for a project; in November 2019 we were granted $3750 for evidence preparation that led to the group of Art Deco buildings between Wallace and Salisbury Streets being given Historic Heritage Status. This prevented forever the sites being developed as apartments.
For lesser amounts in what are known as ‘quick response grants’, Herne Bay organisations, the Ponsonby Baptist Church ($3000) and the Herne Bay Racquets Club ($1350) were successful in June last year.
At its monthly meeting in October, the WLB considered 34 applications for funding for one of two 2024/2025 rounds from within its board catchment that extends from the city around to Kingsland, through Grey Lynn and Westmere to Herne Bay and St Marys Bay. Grant applications of $274,000 far exceeded the available funds for this round. Not one application was received from a Herne Bay based organisation. Two applicants were disqualified because one sought more and another less than the specified grant funding amounts.
Applications ranged from Bike Auckland Limited (for a four-day bike festival), the Festival of Live Arts Trust (for a festival), the NZ Indian Central Association (for 96 cricket balls), Dress for Success Incorporated (a very successful organisation that empowers woman to thrive in life), and the Auckland Women’s Centre (funding of self-defence courses).
Greg Moyle, deputy chair of the WLB, has lived in Herne Bay for decades and is passionate about the area. He believes there are many “lost opportunities” for local organisations that are missing out on grant funding. These are organisations such as the local Petanque Club in Salisbury Reserve, the West End Bowling Club at 13 Hamilton Road, the Ponsonby Bowling Club in Jervois Road and the Sea Scouts at Westmere.
“There are also many community organisations around doing excellent work for the community that should be applying for this funding,” he says.
To establish whether your organisation meets the funding criteria, Greg urges organisations to contact the Local Board Grants Adviser on T: 09 301 0101 or email:
communityfunding@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
These advisers can provide information on:
· How to apply.
· Provide information on the best grant to apply for.
· Provide advice on how to fill out the on-line application forms.
· Assess your application and contact you if further information is required.
Grant advisers will also visit the organisation or meet you at the nearest community centre. You can also visit the WLB office and ask to speak to a grant’s adviser in person. You can also read about community grants on the Auckland Council website under ‘community grants policy’.
It is worth noting before organisations apply that the WLB will NOT fund the following:
· Debt servicing or repayments.
· Legal or medical expenses.
· Activities that promote religious ministries or political purposes.
· Public services that are the responsibility of central government, ie, core education and health.
· The purchase of alcohol.
· Improvements to community buildings before the appropriate consents have been obtained.
Those who are ineligible for grant funding are political parties, local or central government agencies, employees and families of Auckland Council and its subsidiaries.
Limited liability companies can apply but the benefits would need to clearly and directly benefit the community. For example, this would encompass the cost of delivering a free community event or activity, or to subsidise the cost of a charged-for event thereby reducing the fees to enable community access.