GEORGE SHIERS
[email protected]
Masterton Trust Lands Trust [MTLT] has announced its highest ever community grants budget of $1.5 million for the period 2022 to 2023.
It was the first time in five years that MTLT had been able to offer the grants due to financial constraints caused by structural issues with a number of Trust-owned buildings.
In 2017, the last time the Trust distributed community grants, they approved $115,589 in funding.
MTLT chair Leanne Southey said the grants this year would focus on building up the wellbeing of the Masterton community.
“I’m excited about it because we haven’t done it for so long,” she said.
“This year, we’re keen for grants to be focused on community wellbeing.
“In the past, grants have gone to a range of different things, such as King Street artworks and the Men’s Shed.
“Hopefully, we get that full range again.”
Southey said ‘community wellbeing’ was a broad scope but hoped it would attract a variety of different grant applications similar to those seen in the past.
“Community wellbeing means improving the wellbeing – mentally or physically – of the community, and it applies to a whole range of people.”
Southey said grant applications would open on July 1, and although an exact timeframe had not yet been confirmed, applications would probably be accepted for six weeks.
“We are still working on the grant application forms now.
“Once we’ve got the forms, we will be able to confirm all the details.”
The $1.5m would include MTLT’s usual annual rental support for community tenants. For community grants, $100,000 would be available for grants of up to $10,000.
A further $50,000 would be available for significant projects seeking grants of more than $25,000 in collaboration with other funders.
The Trust was getting ready to celebrate its 150th anniversary next month and, as part of the funding, was preparing a new arts initiative.
Southey said she couldn’t reveal much more at this stage but said the initiative would hopefully allow for murals, street art, and perhaps sculptures.
A full announcement was expected later in the year.
