Community organisations around Otago are better off this month thanks to the latest round of Community Trust of Otago donations.
The trust granted 25 organisations $194,000 in September, with the largest amount - $38,000 - going to the Virtual Education Network.
The group planned to use the money to pilot the introduction of high-speed broadband in schools. They hoped this would allow for a greater range of information technology-based learning, including video conferencing and online lessons.
The Dunedin Fringe Festival also received a large donation - $35,000 - to organise and promote the festival in March 2009.
"We are focusing on ensuring it's well produced and accessible to the community," festival director Paul Smith said.
He said the organisers were very grateful to the trust, which he described as a core funder of the Fringe Festival.
Next year would be the first time the festival was held annually, and Mr Smith said the grant would help stage original events they had planned.
Other large donations included $15,000 to the New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum Foundation.
It planned to purchase new computer software which would enable the museum to collate research on fighter pilot losses over the past 80 years.
The Tuapeka Vintage Club received $15,000. The club planned to use the grant to extend its building housing a collection of machinery and tractors.
The Waitaki Valley Medical Trust received $25,000.
Donations included:
Alexandra: Clyde Historical Museums $1000; Special Olympics Central Otago $3000.
Balclutha: Heartland Otago-Southland Life Education Trust $11,000; South Otago Theatrical Society Inc $5000; South Otago Youth Trust $2000.
Cromwell: Cromwell Catholic Parish $4000.
Dunedin: Bowls Dunedin Inc Bowls Dunedin Coaching Association $1500; Dunedin City Council Industry Training $2000; Dunedin Marine Search and Rescue Advisory Committee Inc $5000; Dunedin Multiethnic Council Inc $2000; Dunedin Returned and Services Association $4000; Dunedin Youth Orchestra Inc $4000; India NZ Dunedin $1000; Port Chalmers Kindergarten $3000; Port Chalmers United Rowing Club $4500; Senior Net Otago Inc $1000; Special Olympics Otago $638.
Mosgiel: St Marys School Mosgiel $7000; Taieri Musical Society Inc $3000.
Oamaru: Oamaru Tap Dancing Association $750; Waitaki Valley Medical Trust $25,000.
