The Canterbury Community Trust was established in 1988 as a charitable trust, with the purpose of providing charitable, cultural, philanthropic and recreational benefits to the community.

The Trust serves Canterbury (North of the Rakaia River), the Nelson and Marlborough regions and the Chatham Islands.

The Canterbury Community Trust's primary goal is to "help people first" and this is reflected in the way donations are allocated. The Trust's priority is to channel its funds as effectively as it can, for the greatest possible benefit of the community and its people.

One of the Trust’s major strengths is its flexibility. The Trust is free at any time to approve or decline funds for any application. Every application is judged on its own individual merits and its potential value to the community.

It is essential that groups benefiting from the Trust’s donations do not become dependent on this support. If funding for any particular request (such as staff salaries or administration support) creates a dependence, then particular care will be taken in making a donation.

The Trust’s expectation is that our funding serves to initiate a valuable programme, complete a worthwhile project, or to help obtain something, which ultimately benefits the community.

Decisions made by the Trust are at the discretion of the Trustees and no correspondence or further discussions following a donation decision will be entered into. It is expected that donations will be used within 12 months following approval unless special permission is given.

More detail of the application process is available by clicking on "Applying for Funds"