Grants Policy

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Introduction

The following document summarises the Maniapoto Māori Trust Board (MMTB) Grants policies.

 

Overview

The MMTB will distribute a proportion of its funds each year, primarily through one Grant Round.

The Grant Round commences 1 December and ends 30 April.

The grants support a wide range of individuals/groups and the curriculum/recreational/sporting activities that they undertake, with the ultimate aim of benefiting Maniapoto people.

Applications are made on the MMTB Grants Committee application form (copy attached). 

They are assessed by the MMTB Grants Committee who makes a decision. The Grants Committee is responsible for all MMTB grant decisions. 

The criteria for grants are reviewed annually and the MMTB sets priorities to guide its grant decision-making.

 

Grant Categories

There are three categories of grants :

1. Educational
2. Sport and Recreation
3. Cultural

Applicants must apply for funds for a specified purpose.

Processing Timetable for Applications

 

When	What
December to February	Grant Round opens Advertising campaign via local newspaper, newsletters, website and MMTB office network.
28 February	Grant Round closes This target date may vary if in the opinion of the GM more time is required in order to bring a sound representation to the Grants Committee.
31 March	GM delivers applications to Grants Committee.
After 31 March	Grants Committee may request additional information or query applicants.
By end April	Grants Committee approve / decline applicants
By end May	All successful / unsuccessful applicants advised by mail.

 

Out of Round Applications

Out of round grants are grants that have been received for consideration outside of the Grant Round processing timetable.

The Grants Committee may consider applications outside of the Grant Round, however there generally needs to be a good reason for any such applications not being submitted for consideration as part of the Grant Round such as an emergency situation or an event which would could not have been anticipated.  It will also be subject to budgetary constraints.

 

Applicant Eligibility

The applicant must be of Ngati Maniapoto and registered on the Maniapoto Tribal Register with the Maniapoto Māori Trust Board.

The application for financial assistance is open to all Ngati Maniapoto who are registered on the Maniapoto Māori Trust Board register, however preference will be given to those applicants undertaking a full time tertiary course and the applicant must demonstrate ability to complete the course of study.

The applicant must show evidence of Iwi/community involvement.

In general, applicants eligible for grants must whakapapa to Maniapoto.

National organisations will be considered for grants to the extent that they provide benefit to the Maniapoto region. Those organisations that fall slightly outside the boundaries of the region will also be considered to the extent that they provide benefit to the region.

In general organisations eligible for grants must be:

1. An incorporation society, or
2. A registered charitable trust, or
3. A limited liability company fully owned by one of the above and operating for charitable purposes, and, produce annually audited Financial Statements and reports.

The following organisations are subject to specific provisos:

1. The MMTB will not fund church based or religious activities, which should, in view of a reasonable person, be the responsibility of churches to fund.  The MMTB may fund projects being sponsored by churches or religious organisations where there is a clear Maniapoto community benefit which will be derived from such a project.
2. The MMTB will not fund for-profit groups.  However it will consider applications from not-for profit groups which have an aim of supporting the community through enhanced economic activity.
3. The MMTB will not fund those groups, which have a polarised political activity as their main focus.
4. The MMTB need to be able to see that funding will provide a direct benefit to the individual and/or people.
5. The MMTB will, for example, only fund environmental projects and projects relating to animals where such a direct people benefit can be shown.  Having said this, the MMTB will consider applications aimed at preserving and enhancing culturally significant flora and fauna.

         Generally the MMTB will not make grants for:

1. Conference Attendance
2. Vehicles
3. Completed Projects
4. Loan repayments or other debt instrument repayments
5. Venture Capital
6. Endowments

Assessment of Applications

Applications will not be considered unless the application form is completed. 

Staff will contact individuals/groups whose application forms have not been signed, and who would otherwise be eligible to receive a grant and give those individuals/groups an opportunity to make good the omission,

Applications, which are received after the closing date for the Grant Round, will be declined.

Failure to account for the use of a past grant may be sufficient cause for an application to be declined.

Using a past grant for a purpose other than that approved by the MMTB will mean that the next subsequent application will be declined.

 

Grant Amounts

These have been set for the first time in 2008, so that applicants are aware of the grant amounts that will be paid and the number of grants available in each criteria. 

 

Areas of Governance Responsibility

MMTB does not wish to take over areas that are clearly the responsibility of central or local government. 

The following questions are considered when deliberating on such applications:

1. Would a reasonable person expect the government to fund this project?
2. Can the individual/organisation afford to fund the project itself?
3. Will the individual/organisation’s members directly benefit from the project?
4. Is there a more general community benefit from the project?
5. Given all the circumstances will the project make a real difference in the organisation?

Accountability

The MMTB expects that grants will be spent for the purpose for which they are granted. 

Accountability conditions may be imposed from time on grants. Follow-up on grants is undertaken in a number of ways.  In making a subsequent application individuals/groups are required to report on the expenditure of a previous grant.

In addition all individuals/groups, which regularly receive grants, shall be subject to a follow-up investigation. This may be undertaken in conjunction with subsequent grant application investigations. 

Individuals/organisations, which receive such grants, may also be required to produce a written report on the outcome of the project or programme.

Additional accountability provisions can be imposed on grants from time to time.

The MMTB believes that all of its funding is contestable, and it will continually seek better ways to support activities in the community.

 

Conflicts of Interest

The MMTB Grants Committee is required to declare any direct or indirect Conflict of Interest in relation to any application being considered.  A direct conflict exists when a MMTB Grants Committee member is a member of an organisation.  An indirect conflict exists when a member of a MMTB Grants Committee’s immediate family is a member of an organisation.

 

Review of Policy

The Grants Policy is reviewed annually.

End.