Those looking for work or just wanting a change in career are some of the people set to benefit from the latest round of funding from the Otago Community Trust.
The trust has donated $317,000 to 33 Otago organisations in the latest funding round, including $35,000 towards establishing an Otago Career Festival next May.
Dunedin Secondary Schools Partnership manager Gordon Wilson said he was delighted with the funding, which would go towards employing a person to promote the festival - believed to be the first of its kind in the South Island.
Similar festivals have been held in Rotorua and Waikato, with the Otago festival set to hold 60 events throughout the province.
The month-long festival would promote career opportunities to people looking for work or wanting a career change and was aimed at school leavers upwards, he said.
"There has been considerable interest from employers already."
Despite the gloomy economic outlook and a number of Otago businesses already laying off staff, other companies were still short of workers and the festival would help match up their needs with people looking for work, he said.
Otago Community Trust chief executive Keith Ellwood said the latest funding included a few larger donations, and would help sporting teams, education, conservation and welfare projects around the province.
Larger grants include:
Otago Post Graduate Medical Society $45,000, Netball Otago $40,000, Wanaka Tennis Club Inc $35,000, Dunedin Returned and Services Welfare Trust $27,400 Central Otago Ecological Trust $25,000, Clutha Valley Playcentre $15,000, and Habitat for Humanity $10,000.
Smaller donations include:
Mainland South BMX $3000, Clutha Rugby Football Club $7000; Andersons Bay Bowling Club $3000, Citizens Advice Bureau Dunedin $7500, City of Dunedin Pipe Band Inc $3000, Dunedin Repertory Society Inc $5000, Dunedin Senior Chinese Association $1000, Lifeline Christchurch $7500, North East Valley Community Programme Inc $2050, NZ Chinese Association (Otago-Southland) $2000, Otago Badminton Association Inc $5000, Port Chalmers Bowling Club Inc $2500, St Peter Chanel School $6000, Lawrence Rodeo Club $5000, Mosgiel Playcentre $981, Outram School $5000, Boys Brigade 2nd Oamaru Company $600, Oamaru Combined Churches-Outreach $1000, Totara Estate-NZ Historic Places Trust $3500, Waitaki Summer Music Camp $1000, Rural Art Deco Maniototo Inc $5000, Teviot Valley 2007 Society inc $3000, East Otago Woodturners $700, Queenstown-Lakes District Council- New Year $4000, Wanaka Amateur Swimming Club $600.
