Special Grants Fund

1. Council will not fully fund any event or project, and applicants must identify their other sources of funding
2. the fund is for seed funding to enable applying events or projects to become established so can apply once only to the Special Grants Fund
3. applications must include current financial accounts, and also state contingency financial plans in the event Council cannot fund to the level requested
4. the project or event must not have received any other funding support from Council
5. applications must identify the outcome/s for the Tasman District that will result from the special grant funding, including economic returns (for example increased tourism spend - hotel bed nights, promotion of the District's profile etc)
6. applications must demonstrate the contribution the event or project will make to Council's Community Outcomes. Most relevant include:
   
   • our communities have opportunities to celebrate and explore their heritage, identify and creativity
   • our communities have access to a range of social, cultural, educational and recreational facilities and activities
   • our Council provides leadership and fosters partnerships, including with iwi, fosters a regional perspective, and encourages community engagement
   • our region is supported by an innovative and sustainable economy.
7. only initiatives within Tasman and/or directly benefitting the Tasman District will be funded. Services delivered regionally will have funding eligibility relative to the direct benefit derived by Tasman residents.
8. any activities that are primarily the responsibility of central government, such as education and health, will not be considered.

Priority will be given to projects that:

• align with the Council's Community Outcomes
• raise the national/international profile of Tasman District
• deliver an economic return to the Tasman District
• professionally develop the local event/project management sector
• utilise facilities that Council has invested in, and/or build on the unique natural environment of Tasman District.
• address an identified community need
• deliver an improved environmental outcome for the District
• are seeking support to become established, with the aim of continuing without ongoing financial support from Council.

You must submit a detailed project proposal. The proposal must explain how the project meets the  priorities and criteria and include the following:

• Contact details.
• Organisation details; structure, purpose, legal status including Charities Register number, number of members, committee members and contacts.
• Project name and details; provide a clearly detailed discription of the event or project (include location and date).
• Benefits: how will the project benefit the residents and visitors to the Tasman District, the number of residents that will benefit,
• The dollar value of funding support you are requesting from Tasman District Council.
• Budget; Provide a full project budget to cover but not limited to; all project costs, all project income, cash on hand, capital, in-kind support and volunteer time.
• Mitigation and contingency planning if you have a funding shortfall.
• Risk Assessment / Health and Safety Plan for the project.
• If the project is ongoing, explain the pathway to sustainability.

For more information or to submit a proposal, email [email protected].

In the years where Council achieves a General Rate surplus as a result of experiencing more growth across the District than planned, a Special Grants Fund of up to $50,000 per annum will be made available.  If there is no cash surplus, then there will be no additional funding available for that year.

Council will decide by 31 October each year whether there are funds available from the previous financial year, and how much, if anything, will be available for the Special Grants Fund.

Applications will be accepted throughout the year for funds available in that year.

Applications must be assessed by the Community Grants Subcommittee, made up of a councillor from each ward. Decisions will be made at Community Grants Subcommittee meetings, which occur three times a year. 

In special cases where a decision on the Special Grant Fund application is urgently required, the Community Grants Subcommittee may assess applications on a one-off basis.

Funding decisions will be made until the Special Grants Fund has been fully allocated for that year. This may occur at any of the Community Grants Subcommittee meetings.

Successful applicants will be required to complete a financial accountability form using a supplied template.

The report must also include:

• what was achieved.
• the positive impact of the project/event for the District.
• how the Special Grants Fund money was spent.
• if relevant, future plans for the project or event.

Special Grants funding may only be used for the purpose applied for.

Grants must be spent in 12 months of receiving funding approval.