Page 14 - 15717 Trust Waikato Annual Report

IN LATE 2008 THE TRUST ANNOUNCED THAT IT WOULD BE OPERATING ON A REDUCED DONATIONS BUDGET FOR 3 YEARS, FROM 2009 TO 2011. This decision was due to the significant reduction in the Trust’s capital fund, as a result of the global financial crisis in 2008. The Trust also reviewed its funding priorities, emphasising those areas and groups of people most affected by the recession. For 2010 the donations budget was set at $6.5million. Throughout the year the Trust granted a total of $6,476,750 in donations to 746 community groups and projects across the region.

There were 3 donation rounds in 2010 closing in February, June and September. Offering 3 donations rounds gave groups the flexibility of choosing when it best suited them to apply for funding. Donations were approved by the Trust Waikato Board comprising 14 dedicated trustees from around the region with extensive community sector and business experience.

The Trust introduced multi-year donations in 2010. Multi-year donations are granted for 2-3 years to groups whose work aligns closely to the Trust’s priorities. They help community groups plan ahead, knowing that Trust Waikato funding has been approved in principle. Of the 64 multi-year donations approved in 2010, the largest sector represented was social service organisations. For more information about multi-year donations, refer to our Donation Policy available at www.trustwaikato.co.nz .

In 2010 donations reached the Trust’s priority areas of:

• strengthening communities

• supporting families and young people • supporting iwi and Māori communities • preserving cultural identity

• promoting organisational effectiveness. The largest donations went to social services, economic/social/community development, and sports. There were 2 significant donations of $100,000 to major capital projects: the Lions Cancer Lodge and Te Awa River cycle/walkway.