An awards ceremony will celebrate the dedication of community-minded organisations.
The Catalytic Foundation’s Community Awards are a chance to highlight the work of charities in Otago.
Catalytic Foundation operations and communications manager Jacqui Barker said the annual event celebrated the work charities in the region do, while acknowledging the invaluable contributions of volunteers, supporters and donors.
In addition to receiving awards, the charities will receive grants totalling nearly $161,000.
Charities applied for grants using the foundation’s online grant system.
After an initial screening to ensure they met the funding criteria, a team of volunteers spoke to each of the charities about their work.
‘‘Once we have the feedback from our volunteers, we — the volunteers and Catalytic Foundation employees — sit down as a group and decide how the money will be best spent in the community.’’
Funds distributed into the community came from a range of sources, including Otago Polytechnic’s Community House, the Tindall Foundation and private donors.
The difference between the foundation grants and many others were these grants covered operational expenses.
‘‘After personally speaking to around 40 charities this year, the general feedback I was receiving was that charities are struggling to keep their doors open because very few grant agencies are covering operational costs - power bills, rates, rent, staff wages etc.’’
It invites donors, volunteers, supporters and community charities to attend the free event.
Catalytic Foundation
Annual Community Awards
Wednesday, March 19
5pm to 7pm
The Hub
Otago Polytechnic
Visit catalytic.org.nz for tickets
Thursday, 13 March 2025
