Wānaka organisations are among those receiving support from the latest Otago Community Trust (OCT) funding round, which saw 31 groups share $477,110 to back projects across Otago.

Path Wānaka/Ara ki Wānaka received $8,000 for its 2026 programme, which will provide youth mental health first aid courses for caregivers, parent coaching programmes, and community education on alcohol-related risks.

The biggest local grant went to the Wānaka Preschool Early Childhood Centre, which was awarded $50,000 to go towards a renovation of its Tenby Street premises.

The final two local recipients were Wānaka Snowsports Club, which received $5,600 for an upgrade of the club’s radios, and the Wānaka Arts Society, which received a $3,000 grant for its 2026 Labour Weekend exhibition and art sale.

Youth and family, disability services and the arts were also supported elsewhere in the region in the funding round.

Other grants included $4,000 for Music4Us Puoro Mō Taatou Music Education Trust’s tamariki music programme and $14,000 for Journeys Charitable Trust’s outdoor adventure programmes for young women in Central Otago.

There was also $25,000 for Livingwell Disability Resource Centre’s mobile service, which operates across the wider Otago region, and $51,700 to support the stage two fitout of the Forrester Gallery in Ōamaru.

The OCT is a philanthropic organisation which has invested $318.8M and granted $230.6M into Otago communities since its formation in the mid 1990s.

Every month it distributes grants for community groups and projects making a positive difference in Otago communities. Learn more here. 

PHOTO: Wānaka App