Youth-Focussed Initiatives Lead First Grants Round of 2025 with over $1.5 Million Awarded in February
13 Mar 2025
Otago Community Trust is pleased to announce the completion of its first round of grants for 2025. The February round contributed a total of $1,585,875.45 to support a diverse range of community initiatives across the region, with a particular emphasis on youth development and community infrastructure.
A $184,000 grant to Kahu Youth Trust will go towards supporting their comprehensive programs that currently benefit rangatahi aged 11-24. This three-year funding will sustain vital youth development services including one-to-one mentoring, drop-in sessions, youth clubs, and holiday programs, with a portion specifically allocated to developing the outdoor space at their recently completed youth hub.
Road Safety Education Limited received support through a $9,000 grant to deliver their RYDA program to vulnerable young drivers across the Otago region. This initiative will make essential road safety education more accessible and affordable, designed to be delivered to entire Year 12 cohorts from 19 schools stretching from Ōamaru to Balclutha, Central Otago, and Dunedin, with a particular focus on reaching rural students who often miss out on vital educational opportunities due to isolation and increased travel costs.
Naomh Cusin, NZ Programme Manager at Road Safety Education said “Receiving this grant helps us reduce costs, making the Ryda program more accessible and affordable for all schools in the Otago region. By equipping more young people with the skills needed to travel safely as drivers and passengers, we are contributing to safer roads which has a positive impact on the entire community”.
Additionally, a $15,000 grant was approved to Eduk8 Otago for The Right Track programme, an educational driver rehabilitation initiative designed to change attitudes and behaviours of those charged with driving offences through the courts. This intensive program educates, motivates, and inspires participants to make better decisions.
Infrastructure for youth recreation also featured prominently in this funding round, with multiple communities benefiting from investments in outdoor facilities. The Clutha Parks Trust received $32,000 to construct a 700m² asphalt pump track at Centennial Park in Balclutha, while Macandrew Bay School was awarded $25,000 for a Pump and Bike Skills Track that will serve both the school and wider Otago Peninsula community. Liberton Christian School in Pine Hill, Dunedin secured $30,000 for playground upgrades to accommodate its growing student population, and Aspiring Beginnings Early Learning Centre in Wānaka received $9,500 to reconfigure their outdoor space for infants and toddlers.
"We believe in investing in the future of our region through targeted support for programs that benefit young people," said Andy Kilsby, Otago Community Trust Chair. "This funding round reflects our strategic priorities while responding directly to identified community needs throughout Otago."
These investments reflect the Otago Community Trust's commitment to building stronger, more vibrant communities. By supporting initiatives that enhance youth development and community infrastructure, we aim to create lasting positive impacts throughout the Otago region.
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Otago Community Trust Grants, February 2025 |
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Balclutha |
Clutha Community Health Company Ltd |
$75,000.00 |
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Clutha Parks Trust |
$32,000.00 |
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Our Hut Heritage Hub |
$3,000.00 |
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Cromwell |
Cromwell Resource Centre Trust |
$20,000.00 |
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Dunedin |
The Theatre in Health Education Trust |
$8,000.00 |
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Dunedin Choral Society |
$8,000.00 |
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SenseRugby NZ Trust |
$1,000.00 |
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Dunedin City Council – Puaka Matariki Celebrations |
$15,000.00 |
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Otago University Sports Inc |
$3,000.00 |
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Arthur Street School |
$85,000.00 |
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Macandrew Bay School |
$25,000.00 |
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Liberton Christian School |
$30,000.00 |
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Dunedin Grass Kart Club Inc |
$8,000.00 |
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Otago Tertiary Chaplaincy Trust Board |
$2,000.00 |
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Logan Park High School |
$10,000.00 |
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First Presbyterian Church of Otago |
$23,500.00 |
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Moana House - Downie Stewart Foundation |
$75,000.00 |
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Dunedin Public Libraries Association (Friends of the Library) |
$2,500.00 |
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Dunedin Civic Orchestra Inc - T/a Dunedin Symphony Orchestra |
$283,500.00 |
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Dunedin Tai Chi Club Inc |
$3,840.00 |
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Dunedin Returned Services Choir |
$500.00 |
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Wakari Kindergarten |
$977.45 |
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Te Whanau Arohanui Trust |
$30,000.00 |
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New Zealand Opera Limited |
$2,500.00 |
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Milton |
Milton Community Health Trust |
$4,000.00 |
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Mosgiel |
Silver Peaks Country Music Club Inc |
$2,500.00 |
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Ōamaru |
Harbour Street Jazz Inc |
$15,000.00 |
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Oamaru Tongan Methodist Parish |
$6,589.00 |
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House of Breakthrough Trust Oamaru |
$30,000.00 |
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North Otago Sports Bodies Assn Inc |
$1,500.00 |
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Otago |
Eduk8 Otago |
$15,000.00 |
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Volunteer South/Kaituao o te Taitonga |
$20,000.00 |
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Lions Club of Taieri |
$6,000.00 |
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Cancer Society of NZ Otago & Southland Inc |
$15,000.00 |
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Cosy Homes Charitable Trust |
$350,000.00 |
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Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand |
$5,000.00 |
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New Zealand Endometriosis Foundation Charitable Trust |
$3,500.00 |
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The Footnote Dance Trust Board |
$6,000.00 |
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Stroke Foundation of NZ |
$27,000.00 |
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Road Safety Education Limited |
$9,000.00 |
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Tourette's Association of New Zealand |
$4,795.00 |
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The Boys' Brigade in NZ Inc |
$15,000.00 |
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Daily Encourager Trust |
$2,250.00 |
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Diabetes New Zealand |
$5,000.00 |
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TalkLink Trust |
$5,000.00 |
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Blue Light Ventures Inc |
$2,424.00 |
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Ranfurly |
Maniototo Rodeo Club Inc |
$4,000.00 |
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Wānaka |
Disc Golf Wanaka Inc |
$10,000.00 |
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Aspiring Beginnings Early Learning Centre Inc |
$9,500.00 |
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Mt Aspiring College |
$4,000.00 |
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Wānaka Squash Rackets Club Inc |
$10,000.00 |
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Wānaka & District Lions Club Inc |
$35,000.00 |
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Hāwea Domain Board Inc |
$31,500.00 |
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Kahu Youth Trust |
$184,000.00 |
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