Massey Matters Fund

Waitakere City Council supports a wide range of groups in the community, who provide local services and activities on a voluntary or 'not for profit' basis. As part of this support, Council provides a grants fund called the Massey Matters Fund. This policy tells interested groups all they need to know about this fund and how to apply. Please note - this is a separate administration process to the rest of Council's funds.

Introduction	Massey Matters Fund - Successful Applicants
Funding Available	How applications will be assessed
Who can apply?	Who will assess applications?
What will not be funded?	How to apply
What can be funded?	Application opening & closing dates
Building Community in Massey	Application form
What to do if successful in gaining funding?

Introduction

Massey Matters is a new long term project aimed at improving quality of life in Massey. Council has initiated the project and wants to work alongside the local community and other partners to:

build and strengthen community activity, networks and sense of local identity and pride in Massey
improve the way Massey looks and feels and functions

The Massey Matters Fund provides small sums of money (up to $3000) to assist groups and individuals to carry out new projects that will specifically contribute to:

Building a stronger sense of community in Massey
Providing more local community events
Communicating and promoting community involvement in the Massey Matters Project
Increasing the information base about Massey eg. local history, identifying community issues or needs
Encouraging local Massey organisations to work together in new ways
Building skills, leadership and confidence within the local communities of Massey

Funding Available

For the 2009/ 2010 financial year, the total funding available from the Massey Matters fund will be $25,000.

Who can apply?

To be eligible applicants must:
Be not for profit focused
Be wanting to contribute to the Massey Matters project goals and be linked to the wider Massey Matters project
Undertake their project within Massey boundaries (please see cover map) or produce real benefits for Massey Residents.

Remember that being eligible to apply does not guarantee that an application will be successful.

What will not be funded?

The fund is not intended to cover the day to day operational expenses of an existing group or organisation.
Government funded institutions (unless the purpose of the grant would be for general community benefit).
Activities aimed at promoting political party goals.
Activities aimed at promoting religious beliefs.
Equipment.
Expenditure already incurred.
Debt servicing costs.
Activities or services that are not held/ provided within the boundaries (please see map attached) and/or produce benefits for Massey residents.
Projects focused on financial gains or profit for the applicants.

What can be funded?

Initial goals for Massey Matters are:
Building a stronger sense of community in Massey
Providing more local community events
Communicating and promoting community involvement in the Massey Matters project
Increasing the information base about Massey eg. local history, identifying community issues or needs
Encouraging local Massey organisations to work together in new ways
Building skills, leadership and confidence within the local communities of Massey
The community has identified a list of possible projects and events that they believe will help achieve the initial Massey Matters project goals. You might like to consider these or other similar projects when making your funding application.
A community garden
Collecting historical photos and stories about Massey's past
Events or networking forums to build relationships between people, groups or different parts of Massey (eg. refugees and new migrants, those with disabilities, shop owners, community organisations, young people) - these events could also be used to find out about local issues, needs or ideas for making positive change
A Massey race within the Trolley Derby
Developing a local market, eg. outside the Massey Leisure Centre and Library
Street BBQs or Cul de Sac parties
Top town or Top Street Challenge
Community tree planting or stream cleaning projects
A Massey community newsletter to promote Massey community projects, news, events and activities
Running a competition or having a workshop or event to develop a logo for Massey Matters that reflects Massey's past and future
Massey interschool sports day held on the weekend so families and the wider community can attend
An event to celebrate and acknowledge long term residents in Massey
An event to welcome new residents into Massey
A community arts project at your kindergarten or sports club
Massey Matters community noticeboards
A community radio programme or video/dvd about life in Massey
Developing a Massey events calendar or database that describes and promotes Massey based organisations and activities

How applications will be assessed

Priority will be given to:

Projects which contribute a number of the Massey Matters project goals
Projects which involve or can demonstrate support from existing Massey community organisations
Projects which might act as a “springboard” or platform for other longer term projects or programmes in Massey
The track record of the individual(s) or group(s), including whether the group has met accountability requirements for any assistance received from Council in the past (if applicable)
Demonstrated community support for the proposal

Note: any other forms of Council assistance the group is receiving may also be taken into consideration.

The relative importance of the factors above in assessing applications will generally depend on the amount of money being requested. For example Council would be more willing to allocate the maximum of $3000 to a group that has an established track record, can demonstrate significant community support for the proposal, and is committed to working alongside the Massey Matters project.

Who will assess applications?

A community led funding committee will meet to decide on applications. Information about all successful applicants and projects will be posted on this website. All applicants will also be notified in writing on the outcomes of their funding application.

How to apply

Application forms are available by contacting us, the Massey Library and Massey Community House.

Application opening and closing dates

Applications for the Massey Matters Fund open on 28 September 2009 and close at 5pm on Friday 30 October, 2009. The Funding Committee will meet in mid November with decisions notified by early December.

Application Form

Note: You will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer in order to view and print this document. For help opening PDF files or tips on copying information see Helpful Tips.

Massey Matters Application Form (Size 49K)

What to do if successful in gaining funding?

If successful in getting a grant then the group must use the money for the purposes stated in the application. Any money not spent because the project was not started or completed must be returned to Council.
All grants need to be picked up prior to completion of the project. If the project is completed prior to receiving the funds then they cannot be allocated.
All funds need to be expended within ten months of being received, if not, then the funds are required to be returned.
You will be required to sign and return a Certificate of Expenditure, which request the applicant to use the funds for the use that they have been allocated for, provide receipts for any purchases or a statement of expenditure signed by an accountant.
The applicant will be liable to return any monies granted should any breach of the conditions occur.
Groups must prepare and present a short report to the Massey Matters Community Forum meeting on the outcomes or results from your project and what the money was spent on. We're interested to know how each project went, who was involved in delivering the project, how the community was involved or participated, and how the project has contributed towards the Massey Matters. If required, a member of the Massey Matters Project team can help you with putting your presentation together.
A basic visual record of the project preferably by digital camera which Massey Matters can use for project promotion and documentation purposes. If you or your organisation does not have a digital camera, photos can be scanned in by the Council or we can arrange for someone to come along and take photos for you.

This information is to be provided within 3 months of completing the project failure to do this will require the funding to be returned and/or future funding will not be granted.

Do not forget to make a copy of your application form and keep it in a safe place for when the funding advisors contact you.