COVID-19 Response

As with past lockdowns we are continuing to run business as usual and are currently working from home under our level 3 guidelines.   Throughout this time, whatever the level, we are continuing to accept applications, make decisions, process accountability reports and make payments.  We encourage you to keep connecting and engaging with us if you have any questions that we can assist with.

Providing flexibility for recipients with approved funding

Where a grant or scholarship has been approved and you can no longer run or attend events or complete work due to COVID-19, your funding will still be paid out for costs which cannot be avoided and where there are no options to recoup costs. We will be flexible with your accountability and other reporting deadlines and encourage you to talk with us as soon as possible if you need to revisit any aspect of your funding.

Change of purpose

With the uncertainty brought about by COVID-19 the way in which you deliver services, events and projects may need to change.  If you need to innovate or adapt your services, the Trust is here to support and work alongside you.  We ask that you keep us informed about any changes in purpose relating to your grant so that we can discuss and approve any change in a timely way.

Upcoming grant applications

We will continue to accept applications and to help inform our decision making we refer to our Strategic Vision, which was last updated in March 2021, concentrating focus on the most critical priorities (identified as higher, medium, and lower priority) and supporting people and communities most impacted by COVID-19.  Our Strategic Vision can be found here.

We will continue to advocate for our communities, and we will adapt our responses to ensure the best use of our resources on behalf of the communities throughout our region.

It is acknowledged that these are extraordinary times and while the impact of Covid-19 on our communities is still evolving, we already know that it will be significant. 

 “We have been heartened to see communities pull together and support each other to be innovative and adapt to operate in this challenging new environment” said Trish Boyle, Chair.  

 Covid-19 has also caused an economic crisis and it is predicted there will continue to be investment market volatility over the months ahead.  This is impacting on the Trust’s investment funds.  At this point however, the Trust is able to maintain its $6.5m grants budget for the coming year.  This has provided certainty to the wide range of community organisations we support through multiyear and recurring grants, Regional Sports Organisation funding and our Principals Discretionary Fund.  Some of these 250 organisations have been working on the front line during Covid-19 and our funding has given them much needed flexibility to focus their funding where it is most needed at this time and provided security until the future is clearer.

 In considering an appropriate response to Covid-19, Trustees have reviewed our current Strategic Vision and updated this to concentrate our focus on the most critical priorities in the post Covid-19 environment (visit about us / our strategic vision for more information).  This updated framework will allow the Trust to respond to Covid-19 and to support the ongoing recovery, reactivation and building of resilience across our communities. For the next six months we will be prioritising projects that support the people and communities most impacted by Covid-19,  enhance the capacity and capability of organisations to work in new ways, explore change for good opportunities and assist with communities building back better so they can thrive.

 “We will continue to connect across our communities and with sector stakeholders to understand emerging and evolving needs and will adapt our response where needed to ensure we can continue to make a meaningful difference.  Organisations are encouraged to contact us in the first instance to discuss their situation, that way we can provide guidance and support.”

Jackie Flutey,

General Manager

Community Trust South

Kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui 

Together we can Be Strong, Be Brave, Be Steadfast and together will get through this and continue to make a real difference.

We would like to acknowledge that these are unprecedented times for us all and the impact of COVID-19 on our community is significant.  We are heartened to see the strength and resilience shown by so many community organisations and communities as they adapt, innovate and work together to continue to support those who need them. 

Grants budget and priority for funding

While there will be an impact on the Trust’s investment fund, we can confirm at this point that the Trust is able to maintain our granting budget at $6.5 million for this year.  The Trust will be taking a long term view and will be working to ensure we can continue to provide community support.  We will continue to actively engage with organisations in our community so that we can ensure the Trust appropriately targets our funding to provide the best support for our community both now and into the future.  Grant applications totalling $972,119 have been approved for April which will provide on-going assistance to many organisations during this difficult time. 

Providing flexibility for recipients with approved funding

As previously confirmed, where a grant or scholarship has been approved and you can no longer run or attend events or complete work due to COVID-19, your funding will still be paid out for costs which cannot be avoided and where there are no options to recoup costs. We will be flexible with your accountability and other reporting deadlines and encourage you to talk with us as soon as possible if you need to revisit any aspect of your funding. 

Change of purpose

With the uncertainty brought about by COVID-19 the way in which you deliver services, events and projects may need to change.  If you need to innovate or adapt your services, the Trust is here to support and work alongside you.  We ask that you keep us informed about any changes in purpose relating to your grant so that we can discuss and approve any change in a timely way.

Upcoming grant applications

We will continue to accept applications and to help inform our decision making we are asking some additional questions in our applications to understand the implications of COVID-19.

Other community support

Keep an eye on our website as we will continue to add useful information to help support your organisation.

We will continue to advocate for our communities, and we will adapt our responses to ensure the best use of our resources on behalf of the communities throughout our region.

The Government has announced a $27 million dollar package, effective immediately, being provided to social sector services and community groups to ensure they can continue to provide essential support to communities as we stay at home to stop the spread of COVID-19. 

The package supports services that:

• Ensure people have access to the food and other goods they need to survive
• Provide a place for people to live
• Support disabled people to maintain critical wellbeing
• Keep families safe from harm and offer crisis support

Up to $16 million is to bolster existing essential social sector services delivered by NGOs so they can continue to support individuals, families, whānau and communities at risk through uncertain circumstances and respond to increased demand. 

Up to $6 million is funding for disability Community Participation providers to put in place appropriate health mitigations for the current group orientated services and provide support for disabled people in lock-down. 

Up to $4.8 million to provide community grants or fund innovative community-led solutions to support local resilience.

For the health and safety of our staff, trustees and community from today Monday 23 March 2020 our premises at 62 Don Street, Invercargill will be closed. All meetings and events involving staff, applicants, grantees and stakeholders are therefore cancelled (including upcoming district visits, funding forums and other community meetings hosted at our offices).

However, we are continuing to run business as usual carrying out all aspects of our work and supporting grant recipients, applicants, partners and our community as we all navigate these unprecedented times – it’s just we are now doing this from home and through a virtual means.

We are continuing to accept applications, make decisions, process accountability reports and make payments. 

Connecting with us

We are encouraging you to keep connecting and engaging with us and there are several ways you can continue to do this:

• by phone 0800 500 185
• by general email info@communitytrustsouth.nz
• by specific staff emails which are available on our website
• via ZOOM just call us on 0800 500 185 or email info@communitytrustsouth.nz to arrange.

We would like to reassure all recipients and community groups involved with our funding, either currently or for future applications, that we have plans in place to enable us to continue our operations uninterrupted in light of COVID-19. We are continuing to accept applications, make decisions, process accountability reports and make payments. We will however be changing how we operate to help keep everyone safe and healthy and will be providing ongoing updates on our website and Facebook page. 

Connecting with us

For now, we have cancelled all district visits, events and meetings hosted at our offices until further notice. However, if you need to meet with us we ask that you consider doing this by phone, email or ZOOM and you can call us on 0800 500 185 or email info@communitytrustsouth.nz to arrange.

While at this stage our office remains open, we are requesting that prior to visiting us you call 0800 500 185 in advance and confirm: 

• You have not returned from overseas or had close contact with anyone who has travelled overseas within the last month even if you are not exhibiting any symptoms, or 
• You have not had contact with a person with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, and that you don’t feel unwell, or have flu-like symptoms. 

If meeting with us in person, please also understand that we will use appropriate social distancing e.g. keeping an appropriate distance and not shaking hands. 

Boosting support for tertiary students affected by COVID-19

Students facing a hard time as a result of COVID-19 restrictions will continue to be supported,” Education Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed today.

The Government is putting a further $20 million into the Hardship Fund for Learners, which will help around 15,000 students to stay connected to their studies and learning.

“We know a strong public health response is the best approach to COVID-19, and we know that in taking swift, decisive action we give our tertiary students the best chance to return to their studies in workshops, classrooms and lecture theatres,” Chris Hipkins said.

“But the Government also recognises that COVID-19 has made continuing to study difficult.

“In Budget 2020, we established the $20 million Hardship Fund for Learners. We then extended the fund with a further $10 million as part of Budget 2021. We know that this fund is helping people, which is why we are extending it for a third time.

“We are also ensuring that MSD will have the discretion to continue paying out both student loans and allowances to learners who are unable to resume their study until COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.”

The additional money will be paid to tertiary providers, as it has previously, who disburse it to their learners. It can be used to help students who are facing any kind of hardship that is interfering with their ability to progress with their study. For example it can address financial challenges, or be used for technology-related costs where COVID-19 restrictions remove options for face-to-face study.

“Because students’ needs are diverse, this funding is flexible. Tertiary providers understand the needs of their students and will distribute it in the way that is most suitable. Learners may receive either cash grants, or goods/services purchased on their behalf,” Chris Hipkins said.

“COVID-19 is a tricky and unpredictable virus that will be with us for some time yet. That is why through today’s funding we are supporting learners’ current financial needs and helping to provide cover into the start of 2022.

“If you are a tertiary student and need support to keep studying, please talk to your provider.”

The Tertiary Education Commission will be working directly with providers to manage this additional funding.

COVID-19 Community Fund 2021

Minister for Women, Hon Jan Tinetti announced a new $2 million community fund that will provide support for women and girls adversely affected by COVID-19.

The fund will be for community organisations that support women and girls in Aotearoa and for activities that are not already covered by other government funds.

Applications will be available from Friday 17 September 2021.

Applications close Friday 1 October 2021.

COVID-19: Immediate relief available for Māori and iwi organisations

The Government has reprioritised up to $5 million to provide immediate relief to vulnerable whānau Māori and communities during the current COVID-19 outbreak Minister for Māori Development Willie Jackson announced today.

The COVID-19 2021 Whānau Recovery Fund will support community-driven, local responses to gaps in access and provision of critical services.

“Funding will initially focus on those areas hardest hit by the higher COVID-19 alert levels; Tāmaki Makaurau, Te Tai Tokerau and Northern Waikato,” Willie Jackson said.

The fund would provide small grants to Māori organisations and iwi who were working directly with the community.

“We know there are groups of people who are not connected to existing support networks, but who are still providing for our most vulnerable whānau right now.

“This funding is about supporting those on the ‘edge’ of the system, as a matter of last resort, who are going above and beyond to support their communities.

“Examples include support to make sure vulnerable rangatahi are connected to their peers and support networks, and support for kai packaging and delivery as provider staff are focussed on resourcing vaccination clinics.

“The COVID-19 2021 Whānau Recovery Fund is about providing immediate relief to those on the frontline, but also demonstrates the need to invest in the growth and resilience of our communities,” Minister Jackson says.

Understandably many people will be feeling increasing amounts of stress and anxiety as COVID-19 changes our daily lives. So its really important we look after our wellbeing and the wellbeing of others - as together we will get through this.

Mental Health Foundation

You can free call or text 1737 at any time to speak with a trained counsellor – it’s free and confidential.

Or visit http://www.mentalhealthorg.nz/get-help/covid-19/for top tips to get through.

Rural Support Trust 

Call 0800 787 254

For the latest information on support available for employers, businesses and providers visit COVID-19 Ministry of Social Development 

Government has put in place a range of support  to help businesses and organisations navigate the impacts of COVID-19:

• Wage subsidy - available to businesses or organisations impacted by NZ moving to COVID-19 Alert level 4 on 17 August 2021. Applications will be open from 9am on Friday 20 August 2021 for two weeks. 
• Resurgence Support Payment - supports viable and ongoing businesses or organisations due to a COVID-19 alert level increase to level 2 or higher. If your business or organisation is facing a reduction in revenue due to an alert level increase, you may be eligible for the RSP. Applications for the alert level increase announced on 17 August will open at 8am on 24 August 2021.

Charities Services have outlined important information for registered charities on their website which covers the following:

• how Charities Services will be working through the different alert levels
• information on COVID-19 for registered charities
• information on how to support charities for the public
• other useful resources for charities

Government had committed $56 million to support Māori communities and businesses feeling the economic impacts of Covid-19:

• $30 million for targeted health funding for Māori
• $10 million is for whanau Māori community outreach 
• $15 million will go towards Whānau Ora to reach into Māori communities, and 
• $1 million to provide Māori businesses with advice and planning tools to tackle the economic impact of Covid-19.

Museums Hardship Fund

The Fund makes available $2 million over two years in contestable grants to museums, galleries and whare taonga that have been impacted by COVID-19.  Administered by Te Papa National Services Te Paerangi the fund offers grants of up to $25,000 to small and medium-sized organisations. Further information on important dates and criteria visit National Services Te Paerangi

Extended Screen Production Recovery Fund 

This Fund is to support New Zealand based productions impacted by a change in New Zealand’s COVID-19 alert level status up until 31 December 2021. With the shift to alert level 4 on 18 August 2021, the fund is open and full criteria and guidelines will be available soon visit New Zealand Film Commission to find out more.

Creative New Zealand are continuing with their funding programmes as planned.

• CNZ CE responds to level 4 lockdown
• CNZ Funding calendar

On behalf of Sport NZ:

• Active Southland is managing Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa in the Southland region
• Sport Otago is managing Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa for the Otago region

Volunteering NZ has a range of information, resources and guidelines to support keeping your volunteers, and those they help, safe and well.

Here is a useful guide that McCulloch + Partners prepared (in 2020) to assist with post Covid-19 business planning it includes information on what businesses should:

• Cash Flow
• Support Packages
• Managing Key Stakeholders
• Communication
• Strategic Plan

Navigating COVID-19 Business Planning