Deadline: 31-Mar-2026
The Community Partnership Fund provides annual funding of $22,857 to support community-led projects that address local needs and aspirations. The fund prioritizes not-for-profit initiatives with clear community benefits, enabling local decision-making through community boards.
About the Fund
The Community Partnership Fund empowers local communities by providing financial support to initiatives that align with community-led development principles. The fund enables community boards to make decisions that reflect local needs, goals, and aspirations, fostering community engagement and ownership of development outcomes.
Key Objectives
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Enable local decision-making and community leadership.
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Support communities in providing for their own needs and goals.
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Promote initiatives that demonstrate clear community benefit.
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Uphold community-led development principles, ensuring projects align with the community board plan.
Funding Details
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Total Funds Available: $22,857 per year.
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Application Schedule: Reviewed at community board meetings in June and December.
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Eligible Requests: Not-for-profit initiatives with community benefit.
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Ineligible Requests: Salaries and operating costs.
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Funding Cap: No cap; each request assessed case-by-case.
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Co-Funding: Preferred but not required.
Who Can Apply
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Individuals, groups, or organizations that are not required to be legal entities.
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Not-for-profit projects that directly benefit the community board area.
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Applicants able to provide supporting documentation, including bank details, financial accounts, quotes, and letters of support.
How to Apply
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Ensure your project aligns with community-led development principles and demonstrates clear benefit.
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Prepare supporting documents: bank deposit slip, latest audited or reviewed accounts, income and expenditure statements, bank statements, and any relevant quotes.
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Submit the application to the community board before the scheduled meeting.
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Be prepared to present your request to the board if required.
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Funding may be granted subject to securing any outstanding balances.
Tips for a Strong Application
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Show clear alignment with the local community board plan.
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Provide detailed supporting documentation for costs and financial accountability.
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Include letters of support from community members or partners.
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Explain any instances where multiple quotes are not available.
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Highlight direct community impact and measurable outcomes.
FAQs
1. What is the total annual funding available? $22,857 per year.
2. Who can apply? Not-for-profit groups, individuals, or organizations, including those not legally incorporated.
3. Are salaries or operating costs eligible? No, these costs are not funded.
4. Is there a cap on funding requests? No, requests are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
5. Is co-funding required? Co-funding is preferable but not essential.
6. What documentation is needed? Bank verification, financial accounts, income/expenditure statements, bank statements, quotes, and letters of support.
7. When are applications considered? During June and December community board meetings.
Conclusion
The Community Partnership Fund provides an essential mechanism for community-led development by enabling local decision-making and supporting projects that meet the unique needs and aspirations of each community. By offering flexible, targeted funding, the program empowers communities to drive meaningful change and enhance local well-being.
For more information, visit Southland District Council.
