Council completes stage one of social investment contestable funding

The Kāpiti Coast District Council is transitioning to a contestable and outcome-focused social investment model for funding community organisations.

Strategy and Planning Group Manager Sarah Stevenson says there is a long history of Council supporting community organisations, but funding support has not been contestable and, for the most part, has not been strategically focussed.

“Council have agreed three new strategic priorities for funding - connected communities, safe communities, and a capable sector – and earlier this year we invited organisations that provide community and social services in Kāpiti to submit their ideas for initiatives which contribute to these priorities through an expression of interest.”

Expressions of interest have now been assessed by an independent evaluation panel and 11 organisations have been invited by Council to progress through to the second stage of the contestable process.

“I want to stress that a lack of success in this contestable process does not mean that Council does not value, or will not continue to support the organisations who have been doing great work in our communities,” Ms Stevenson said. “The simple fact is there are more organisations doing valuable work than there is Council funding to go around, so we have had to move to a contestable process.”

The Council will continue to provide support and assistance to those organisations that have previously received non-contestable funding but have not been invited to participate in the second stage of the contestable process.

Ms Stevenson says the Council has committed assistance to past recipients of community contracts who are impacted by these changes, many of whom have received non-contestable funding for the past 10 years, and is already working alongside to help with tailor-made support packages.

“This includes advice from not-for-profit experts with experience specific to each organisation’s needs. These organisations will continue to receive funding from Council through to 30 June this year and we are committed to doing what we can help them source and secure alternative funding and build capacity.”

The following organisations have been invited to provide detailed proposals for the Council to review and consider before making final decisions on funding in late June.

• Energise Ōtaki
• Māoriland Trust
• Kāpiti Youth Support
• Age Concern
• Cobwebs Community Trust
• Ngā Hapu o Ōtaki
• Challenge for Change
• Volunteer Kāpiti
• Kāpiti Impact Trust
• Kāpiti Living Without Violence
• Kāpiti Women’s Centre

The following organisations who have previously received non-contestable social investment but have not been invited through to the second stage of the contestable funding process:

• Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) – Ōtaki and Kāpiti
• Well Able
• A Safe Kāpiti (ASK)
• Te Newhanga Community Centre Trust