A new charitable trust has been set up to help grassroots organisations in Hāwea access funding for local projects.

Some of the funding organisations in the area only accept applications from groups with charitable status, Hāwea Charitable Trust trustee Louise Merrall told the Wānaka App.

Many small groups or organisations don’t have the time or manpower to go through the process to become registered as a charity, or while being not-for-profit might not meet the strict criteria required for charities registration, which means they can miss out.

The new trust aims to fill this gap and “give groups a mechanism to apply for funding”, Louise said.

So far the trust has helped a local group secure funding from the Otago Regional Council Eco Fund for some native planting along the Lake Hāwea foreshore.

It is also holding funds for a playground project by a subcommittee of the Hāwea Community Association.

The relatively new trust would like to “get the word out there that we are here” and hear from more local groups, Louise said.

Anyone who has identified funding they would like to apply for which benefits the community is encouraged to get in touch with the trust.

The five-person trust would take a look at the project and make sure it meets the trust’s criteria, which are (broadly) that it is of benefit to the Hāwea community, located within the Hāwea area (anywhere between the lake, Hāwea Flat and Maungawera Valley) and meets the purpose in the trust’s deed.

The deed covers initiatives with cultural, ecological and recreational benefits; ones which maintain, enhance or manage the indigenous biodiversity; and those which help maintain Hāwea as a thriving community.

“If someone feels like they have a project that might fall within this then get in touch with us,” Louise said.

The Hāwea Charitable Trust can be contacted at the following email address: [email protected]

PHOTO: Wānaka App