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Towards a more socially just and inclusive Aotearoa New Zealand

J R McKenzie Trust,

In 2010-2014 we will work towards a more socially just and inclusive Aotearoa New Zealand.

We would like to contribute to long term changes to systems or ways of doing things that will improve the prospects or participation of disadvantaged people in an ongoing way.

We will shift away from making many small annual grants to fewer, larger, multi-year grants. We will look for opportunities to build relationships with the organisations we support, and other ways alongside grants in which to support their work.

The Trust has chosen two major areas of focus for the next 5 years:

  • Disadvantaged children and their families; and
  • Māori development.

Applications with a focus on other especially marginalised groups may also be considered.

Background

The J R McKenzie Trust has a proud 70-year history in helping to build stronger communities. However, the situation in which we operate now has changed.

The Trust used to be one of the largest private grant-makers in the country. Now, the $3 million in funding we allocate each year is dwarfed by grants from regional community trusts, the Lottery Grants Board, gaming trusts, business donors, COGS and other family trusts.

Our contribution to all funds received by community organisations each year is less than a quarter of one per cent.

What the change means for organisations seeking grants

Multi-year funding arrangements already made will honoured.

Other organisations can apply in 2010 at any one of the three funding rounds, which close at the end of February, May and August. There will no longer be separate closing dates for "national" and "regional" organisations.

Because grants will on average be larger, fewer applicants are likely to be successful. We appreciate that this will be an unwelcome change for some, even though in most cases the Trust's grants are only a very small percentage of groups' annual income.

The application process from 2010

This will be a two-stage process:

  1. The first stage is a brief Outline application to give us an idea of what groups do, and would like to achieve
  2. Some applicants will be invited to put in a Full application with more detail. We hope to visit all organisations that reach the second stage.

We will continue to support both specific 'projects' and overall operating costs for organisations with goals in line with our vision. We'll also look for other ways to add value to the work of organisations that we support with funding, including seeking opportunities to work in partnership with others.

As you can imagine, there is a lot changing at this end. It is quite likely that we'll make some adjustments to the process as we go.

More information

More information about these changes and a comprehensive explanation of the new criteria for applicants is available on our website www.jrmckenzie.org.nz. If you would like to discuss any of these changes, you are welcome to contact us on (04) 472 8876 or info@jrmckenzie.org.nz.

The Trust endorses the proverb, Iti noa ana, he pito mata (with care, a small kumara will produce a harvest). We believe the changes will help the Trust to retain relevance and impact in the future and deliver ongoing benefits to our country.

Thank you for the important work you do to make Aotearoa New Zealand a better place for all of our citizens.

Contact person Iain Hines
Postal address
Phone
Email info@jrmckenzie.org.nz
Website address http://www.jrmckenzie.org.nz
Submitted by NW
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