Not-for-profit organisations and groups wanting to find out about funding options in Mid Canterbury or the correct way to fill in an application can attend the one-stop Mid Canterbury Funders Forum next week.
It is on Wednesday, in the Holyoake Auditorium at Ashburton College from 5.30pm.
The forum was formed around seven years ago to bringing funders together, and they will host a free information evening to update the community on who the funders are, what each funder can fund and the process of applying for funding.
The funders forum work together to make funding opportunities more relevant and accessible for not for profit community groups needing a financial boost.
While they each have their own specific purpose and requirements they are all working towards the same outcomes – a thriving, vibrant Mid Canterbury.
During the evening many of the funders will give a short presentation on what they do and following the presentations there will be an opportunity to speak to individual funders.
Advance Ashburton Community Foundation (AACF) executive officer Carolyn Clough said a funding application can be turned down because the applicant hasn’t applied to the right funder or the funding application hasn’t been filled in correctly.
Funders are always happy to have conversations with applicants to assist with the process as they don’t want applicants spending hours on an application only for it to be turned down before its considered as it hasn’t been correctly written.
‘‘People are welcome to come in and met with us and we will help them fill in the application if they want,’’ Clough said.
The funders are there to support people, they want to give the money away to help make a difference in the community.
Since the forum’s last information event in 2023, people had changed organisations and groups were needing funding for different things.
Meeting a funder and discussing what you are wanting funding for is so beneficial to the organisation, she said.
It also enables the funder to get to know those involved.
Getting an application in well in advance is strongly suggested.
‘‘This enables funders to contact organisations about anything missing, or ask questions,’’ Clough said.
The foundation has distributed $990,189 across Mid Canterbury in the 2025 financial year. It’s included 77 grants to 58 organisations, three grants to support local people and their families through the Palliative Care Fund and the Firefighters Welfare Fund and 45 scholarships to help local people undertake tertiary study, personal development, industry training, and leadership.
– Mid Canterbury Funders Forum, Holyoake Auditorium, Ashburton College at 5.30pm on April 30. Event is free. For more information contact Aimee at office @advanceashburton.org.nz
