Are you eligible to apply?
Incorporated societies or registered charitable trusts of community based organisations are eligible to apply for the Canterbury Community Trust donations. This means that your group must have a Certificate of Incorporation obtained through the Department of Commerce. You may also obtain charitable organisation status through the Inland Revenue Department. Schools, NZ Free Kindergarten Assn. Members and Churches are not required to supply a copy of the letter granting charitable status.

One Application a Year
Organisations may only submit one application per year. All groups within an organisation or association should consolidate their request into one application. While several needs might be expressed, they should be listed in priority order. Funding of any request is not guaranteed.

Exclusions

Donations will not be approved for :

• Individuals
• Persons travelling overseas
• Overseas conferences or use overseas
• Political parties
• Spiritual/religious aspects of a Church
• Groups that apply more than once a year
• Debt retirement
• Projects commenced or completed
• Capital accumulation
• National organisations, where funds are used beyond the Trust’s regions
• Individual scout and Plunket groups. (However, a donation may be received through a regional association or sub-association).

Criteria for Evaluation
In an effort to define more fully how the Trust carries out its decision-making role, a brief description of some of the major questions we ask is presented for your information. We feel it is important to share this information with you so that you might feel free to add additional details in support of your application, or more concisely clarify what you do and what you are seeking.

The Canterbury Community Trust is interested in ensuring that each project makes a substantial difference for the people in the organisation and the community. The Trust also wants to ensure a balance between various needs expressed by the community. Thus, the criteria for evaluation centre on a series of questions we might ask about a project. Some of these questions are :

• Will the project make a difference in the community?
• Is the organisation financially viable?
• Is the project realistic?
• Does the project have community benefit?
• What is the dependence of your group?
• What has been the donation history?
• What are your organisation’s fundraising efforts?
• What is your organisation’s plan and strategy?
• Are the results measurable?
• How is the number of people served related to the dollars requested?
• What is the amount of uncommitted funds or assets available to the applicant?
• What are the options and alternatives available to your organisation if your donation request is declined?

The Trust seeks applications from incorporated societies and charitable organisations. Each group will be given full consideration without prejudice or bias. Submission of an application does not guarantee funding.

The Trust will allocate each application to the most appropriate sector.

While the Trust tries to ensure fairness between organisations with similar purposes, one group may obtain more than another in any given year. There are many factors used in evaluating applications. Applications are viewed individually according to their own specific merits. Evaluations are based on such factors as the perceived need in the community for a specific programme and the ability the applicant has to fulfil that need.

The level of income and availability of funds of The Canterbury Community Trust will always have a bearing on any decision. It is also important to note that a previous donation from the Trust does not guarantee that your organisation will receive future funding.

Accountability
All organisations may be subject to an accountability audit for the funds received. A request for expenditure receipts will be made. In addition, an accountability audit may happen by way of an on-site visit by a member of The Canterbury Community Trust, an independent auditor or by a request for a written report.

General
The Canterbury Community Trust is a registered Charitable Trust. Funds dispersed to the community are considered donations, therefore no GST is payable on any donation received. Donations received must be acknowledged in your organisation’s financial statements as a Community Trust Donation. The Trust has the right to publicise any donation it makes.

Important
If closing dates are missed, your application will not be considered until your organisation’s next sector close off date.  If you have not received a letter acknowledging the application within 10 working days of the close off, then please call the office - 0508 266 878.