Dozens of community groups across Canterbury will share in more than $600,000 from the Rātā Foundation, which has confirmed the region’s latest funding allocation.

A total of $601,674 has been awarded in the most recent round, supporting a wide range of organisations from schools and sports clubs to environmental and cultural groups. Each will use the funding over the next 12 months to support initiatives focused on increasing participation and building community connections.

Rātā Foundation Chief Executive Leighton Evans said the goal was to back organisations helping people overcome barriers to involvement in sport, recreation, and culture.

“Our aim is to support organisations that enable people facing barriers to participate in sport, active recreation and cultural activities, because we know this can enhance health and wellbeing outcomes in communities, removing isolation and creating a sense of belonging,” he said.

“In this latest round of funding, there is a real diversity in organisations we partner with, but underlying it all is a shared purpose and alignment of values, with a commitment to extending positive impact in communities of need. We work to support those who need it most and who need it now, at the same time helping to build a better future where our communities are empowered to thrive.”

The Foundation also confirmed a further $50,000 in multi-region funding for organisations operating across more than one of its funding regions.

Rātā manages a fund worth approximately $700 million, investing around $25 million each year into Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough and the Chatham Islands. Since 1988, it has distributed more than $550 million to community causes.

Among the Canterbury recipients in this latest round are:

• Aranui Community Trust ($30,000)

• Canterbury Regional Basketball Foundation ($30,000)

• Canterbury Primary Schools Sports Association ($30,000)

• Adaptive Snowsports Canterbury ($15,000)

• The R13 Youth Development Trust ($30,000)

• Christchurch Children’s Holiday Camps Trust ($12,000)

• Perinatal Mental Health New Zealand ($7,600)

• Coastal Spirit Football Club ($10,000)

• Youth Southwest Christchurch Trust ($20,000)

• The Youth Hub Trust ($15,000)

• Kereru Sports and Cultural Club ($10,000)

• Tuhono Taonga Tuhono Tangata ($25,000)

In addition, multi-region grants were awarded to:

• Cerebral Palsy Society of New Zealand ($10,000)

• Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Trust ($15,000)

• Tangata Whenua Community and Voluntary Sector Research Centre ($15,000)

• The Theatre in Health Education Trust ($10,000)

The Foundation runs eight funding rounds each year, with four of those focused on multi-year and strategic grants in key sectors such as housing, health, education and the environment.