The Otago Community Trust 2014 Year Results

Media Release

The Otago Community Trust has donated $4.45 million to Otago organisations over 2013-2014, the funds making a very positive difference in the region.

Trust chair Lauren Semple told attendees at the Trust’s Annual Meeting in Dunedin on August 26, that the focus for the last year continued to be on rebuilding funds, following the global financial crisis of 2008. The Trust’s budget of $4.5m for the 2013-14 year had therefore been set conservatively.

The Trust was pleased to support a wide range of community projects big and small over the year. Over 400 organisations throughout Otago benefitted, across the Trust’s six different sectors:

• Community Activity and Wellbeing $1.4 million 31%
• Learning $0.7 million 16%
• Sport and Recreation $1.4 million 31%
• Heritage and Environment $0.4 million 9%
• Arts and Culture $0.6 million 13%

Some of Otago’s larger one-off projects supported by the Trust in 2013 included:

• Alps 2 Ocean $100,000
• Roxburgh Gorge Trail $100,000
• Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club $80,000
• Special Olympics National Summer Games $40,000

The Trust’s major initiative last year was again its Warm Homes project, with $220,000 going towards the insulation of cold houses in Dunedin. The Trust’s funding, in conjunction with funding from Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), DCC and others, insulated around 450 houses, making a significant difference to the health and well being of some of those in need.
The Trust also donated over $60,000 towards strengthening systems of service delivery in community wellbeing organisations, to build capability in this sector. Projects funded under this scheme included IT upgrades, policy development and staff training initiatives.

“We know the donations and the initiatives the Trust has been behind have made a real difference to the people of Otago, and will continue to do so in the coming years.”

Mr Semple said strong returns during the 2013/2014 year has meant the Trust could now increase donations this year, the 2014-15 donations budget being set at $5m. Funding priorities for the coming year include $1m to focus on Warm Homes, Cycle ways and Youth Health and Wellbeing, with a particular focus on employment, education and training.

About the Otago Community Trust

The Otago Community Trust is a philanthropic trust, established in 1988 to own the shares in Trust Bank Otago on behalf of the community and to distribute a share of its profits back into Otago. The Trust’s shareholding in Trust Bank Otago were subsequently exchanged for a stake in Trust Bank New Zealand, then sold to the Westpac Banking Corporation in the mid-1990’s for $131 million and invested by the Trustees on behalf of Otago. The Otago Community Trust fund now stands at $243 million, and is administered to enable on-going donations to be made to the Otago community, as well as growing and inflation-proofing the fund so that its real value is always available for future beneficiaries. Donations during the Trust’s 26 year history have totalled $131 million.

For further information, please contact: Chair - Lauren Semple 021 771 340