One of the roles of the Community Board is to consider applications for grants – these can be via the Community Development Grant, which is available to the whole Martinborough Ward, including our rural and coastal communities or the Pain Estate Fund which has very specific criteria determining both the location and use of funds.
With ratepayers stretched to the limits it may be time to consider how much money is distributed overall; council grants are funded by ratepayers.
Pain Estate Funds are generated via rental income and not ratepayers. Who should make decisions regarding the allocation of precious funds: councillors, Community Boards, council staff? Some grant funding offered via SWDC comes from Central government – funded by taxpayers. To administer these grants costs money, staff hours and meeting costs: could this be more efficient?
Find the options for raising funds for your community groups, at Fund Finder on the council website: https://swdc.govt.nz/south-wairarapa-fund-finder/. Some groups and organisations are very well represented when it comes to asking for money – they are usually better equipped to know how to fill in the forms and who to ask, they present well at meetings and thus they secure funds. At the time of writing, the Community Board has no prior knowledge how Council grants will be addressed in the upcoming Long-Term Plan.
When it comes to fundraising, there is so much to be gained from doing some of it for yourselves – sausage sizzles, raffles, quiz evenings all have benefits way beyond money raised. These activities bring communities together and they allow people to decide who they wish to support. For many working people and for families, time is limited. But being creative and focusing on social fundraising opportunities can help build resilience via community connections. It may also attract more members and supporters through increased public awareness.
The Martinborough Community Market occasionally runs a tearoom – this is open to groups and individuals looking to raise money, they have the model all worked out and provide some of the essentials, they also offer free stalls for suitable fundraising initiatives – Come down to the Town Hall over Easter and check it out.
Fundraising can be much more than just raising money. It’s about engaging your community, creating memorable experiences, and making a difference. Take the community on the journey, tell them your story – small ideas can lead to big things – Round the Vines, Martinborough Fair, the Skyline Challenge, the Pump Track are perfect examples.
Do apply for available grants but also look at how to put some “Fun” back in Fundraising.
Coming up – we are looking at new ways of engaging this year, if you have any suggestions please reach out. This is to replace the traditional Saturday morning drop ins.
Friday March 7 – we will be at the Swimming Pool with a sausage sizzle from 3:00-5:00 p.m, talking to our young people and their families – come down, say hi and take a peek. The pool closes for the season on 9 March.
Saturday April 19 – Meet members of the Martinborough Community Board at the Easter Community Market in the Town Hall – you will also be able to find out more about the Community Emergency Hub. Thinking of standing for the Community Board? Come and chat.
