Source: Auckland Council
Hibiscus and Bays community groups and business associations will soon be able to apply for local, facilities or business grants.
Local grants provide funding for arts, community, environment, heritage, sport and recreation projects and events and applications open from 3 March to 11 April 2025.
Facilities grants assist with the costs of planning or developing sports, recreation, arts or community facilities located in the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board area.
Local Economic and Business grants are open to business associations only and have a strong focus on initiatives that provide economic benefits to local businesses.
Board chair Alexis Poppelbaum says the local board’s grants programme aims to fund deserving community initiatives that align with the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Plan 2023.
“Our local board plan has been developed together with our community and the plan sets out the priorities that are important to our area.
“It’s important to read the plan before applying for any grant because this funding is aligned to the priorities listed in the plan.”
In the first round of the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Grants Programme for 2024/2025 financial year, 24 community organisations received a total of $63,678.50
Local and Facilities grants
Local grants are offered twice a year and for amounts between $2,000 to $8,000.
Facilities grants are offered once a year and can be used for needs assessments, feasibility studies, investigation and design costs, and small building works for up to $50,000.
Local Economic and Business grants
Business associations attended a local board workshop recently to discuss the economic business grant and the requirements for the grant round opening soon.
Poppelbaum says the session went well and business associations heard first-hand about the grant which provides additional funding over and above business-as-usual activities.
“The session was an opportunity to hear feedback from the business associations, to clarify the grant’s eligibility criteria and to answer questions about the grant.”
The business grant can assist with projects and programmes that:
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provide skills and training that support staff recruitment, upskilling and retention
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provide opportunities for increased local employment and local recruitment and business supporting business
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focus on local business resilience and developing plans that move towards economic prosperity
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provide local place-making that adds value to the experience of town centres with an emphasis on local businesses and experiences
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improve the environment of town centres to ensure patrons feel safe.
The deadline for this year’s application round is 11 April. Decisions will made by the local board at their business meeting on 27 May and will include projects that start after 1 June.
Applicants should complete the online application form and can view the grants programmes here.
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