The Saddle Hill Community Board's call for funding applications was answered yesterday when 10 community groups requested more than $14,000 from it.
Fearing some of its allocated funding would go to waste as the financial year ended, board chairman Keith McFadyen asked the Otago Daily Times last month to help spread the word to community groups in need of a helping hand.
The board received 10 applications for funding and considered them all yesterday.
From a request to help with the printing and posting of invitations, through to furniture for a kindergarten and replacement bowls, money asked for was more than three times the funds the trust had available to allocate.
After much debate, the board approved funding for four groups, the Fairfield School pool committee, the Friends of Effie Support Group, the Saddleview Pony Club and Riding for the Disabled, and the Greater Green Island Rhythmic Gymnastics Club.
It also supported deferred payment to the next financial year for two groups and declined the other applications, informing them of other grants for which they could apply.
Mr McFadyen said the requests for funding were "great" and, as always, board members were pleased to support groups making a difference in their community.