Non-profit organisations around Taupō are being invited to consider the Mercury community fund.
The fund, open from September 15 to October 15, is seeking applications from eligible individuals, charitable or non-profit organisations.
The annual $30,000 pool which was formalised last year makes a maximum of $5,000 available per individual application to projects or community groups within the township, around Lake Taupō and along the Waikato River as far north as Whakamaru.
Mercury says applications from communities near the company’s power stations will be considered first for funding.
Community engagement manager Katy Scoullar said last year the company received 55 high quality applications seeking over $250,000 in support and was sadly not able to say ‘yes’ to all, but made grants to 20 that between them spanned many community groups.
Applications should fit into one of two broad categories, Ngā Tangata – People, and Kaitiakitanga – Stewardship, meeting one or more criteria within each which are aligned with Mercury’s core community values.
Ngā Tangata criteria: to live better lives (schools/kura, upskilling, inclusion & diversity), connections between people (clubs, events), safety and wellbeing (public safety, supporting health and mental health).
Kaitiakitanga criteria: care for the environment, long term inter-generational thinking, New Zealand’s decarbonisation journey (such as supporting bikes and e-vehicles).
Application forms and more details on the fund, including examples of previous grants and reporting requirements, are available at: mercury.co.nz/ taupocommunityfund
Previous successful applications have included: Taupō Strings, Rural Support Trust, Volunteer Great Lake Taupō, Taupō Community Gardens, Lake Taupō Cricket Club and Anamata Trust.
