The Government has invited applications for funds in the volunteer sector, stating that the closing date is May 1, 2013.
Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew said that the new funding round is for the ‘Support for Volunteering Fund.’
“The Support for Volunteering Fund provides over $500,000 each year to projects and organisations that promote and support volunteering in New Zealand. The funding is divided between ‘Volunteering New Zealand,’ regional volunteer centres and selected projects in the volunteer sector. The focus for the current funding round is Maori, Pacific and ethnic community projects,” she said.
Mrs Goodhew said that the Government was keen to fund projects that promote information sharing, networking and development of resources to support Maori, Pacific and ethnic volunteering.
“We are interested in projects responding to specific cultural values and needs or encouraging, recognising and promoting volunteers as community leaders,” she said.
Organisations applying for funds must have legal entity status, appropriate governance and management structures and processes in place and be able to show that they have the capability to achieve the proposed outcomes.
“Projects must promote, support or strengthen volunteering in the community, or build volunteering capacity and capabilities,” Mrs Goodhew said.
Community Advisors in Department of Internal Affairs offices across the country are available to help in the application process.
For further information, please call 0800-824824 or visit www.communitymatters.govt.nz