Hawke’s Bay Foundation and Tindall Foundation have distributed more than $190,000 worth of grants to 51 recipients in 2023.
Of the $192,783, seven recipients were given a grant of more than $5,000, 10 were given a grant of $5,000, seven were given a grant of $4,000, 13 were given a grant of $3000, with the others receiving grants between $1000 to $3000.
Cranford Hospice Trust was the recipient of the biggest grant at $7,161.
Hawke’s Bay Foundation Distributions Chair, Sarah Mulcahy, said many of the applications for funding referred to the mental stress and anxiety still felt by those in the community, post Cyclone Gabrielle.
“Organisations are telling us they are experiencing increased challenges in their fundraising activities due again to both the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle and a ‘fatigue’ in charitable giving locally,” Mulcahy said.
“This highlights why a Community Foundation is so important as a resource in the long-term to support our community sector through both good and more difficult times. As a purpose driven organisation, we feel very happy we can fill this need for Hawke’s Bay.”
While fundraising abilities are being squeezed, demand for not-for-profit services across the region sits at record highs and continues to climb.
Bellyful Hawke’s Bay supports whānau with young babies and children with free ready-to-eat meals. Its 26 volunteers provided 144 whānau with 992 meals from Napier to Havelock North last year.
With 50 referrals in the first quarter of 2023 alone, (312 meals delivered to 50 whānau), they expect growth of at least 25% this year.
Spokeswoman Aliesha Gordon was grateful for the grant pf $3,000.
“Across Aotearoa, not just in Hawke’s Bay, we are seeing significant demand surges. Hawke’s Bay Foundation funding means our local volunteers can concentrate on delivering front line services for whānau who desperately need us.”
Kaupapa Māori-based social development provider Ko Wai Tōu Ingoa Hauora offers mobile support to those in need from Wairoa to Takapau.
In 2022 they supported 2,476 people across the region, mainly youth, families and the elderly.
Chief Executive Stacy Apiata said they had seen an increase in need for psychosocial support.
“Our grant from Hawke’s Bay Foundation will assist our Whānau Friday Community Dinner which serves to bring people together and provide a critical network for those experiencing poverty, harm and/or suicide,” Apiata said.
“We’re extremely grateful for Hawke’s Bay Foundation’s funding. It’s helping organisations like ourselves to help combat community harm and as we’re seeing, that’s more important now than ever before.”
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