Skycity CommunityTrust announces $2.5 million + in grants

SKYCITY Auckland Community Trust announces over $2.5 million in grants

On Thursday night, 27 October, two hundred and thirty seven community groups have been invited to the SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre to celebrate the announcement of the year's funding round from the SKYCITY Auckland Community Trust.

Since the inception of the Trust in 1996, almost 27 million dollars has made its way to 1567 worthwhile community groups operating from the Far North to the Bombay Hills with projects as diverse as swimming pools to cultural groups and caring for the elderly.

Long serving board member and for the first year as Chair, Arthur Loo says: "It has been my great delight to take the role as chair for this funding round and an interesting time to be working so closely with community groups in a period where as a nation we have faced one of our biggest tests with terrible earthquakes in Canterbury. The Trustees and I are delighted that we have been able to reach out to the people of Christchurch through a range of grants catering to relief and care efforts taking place in Auckland.

"We have this year granted to 237 groups, a far higher number than the usual 100-150. I see this as a sign of the increased need due to events such as Canterbury but also a sign of the community in action and just how many people are out there looking for funding for worthwhile projects that are going on in great numbers.

"This term we have welcomed Vivien Bridgwater as a Trustee and she has been an invaluable asset as we have assessed so many applications. We have missed Jock Irvine who retired at the end of last year."

The largest grant in this funding round is $58,000 to the South Auckland Health Foundation to retro-fit insulation in 50 homes for low income families experiencing ongoing health problems due to cold and damp homes.

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