We want to acknowledge the Citizens Advice Bureau Dunedin for the work they do in helping people know and understand their rights and obligations, and how to use this information to get the best results for their problems.

The Citizens Advice Bureau Dunedin is about empowering people with the confidence and support they need to take action. They work towards building positive social change in the community. 

Citizens Advice Bureau Dunedin work in various sectors and reach out to several people facing challenges. In the past year, they have provided:

• 37 JP clinics in their community
• Awareness about their services to the new refugees that have arrived at Red Cross
• Radio recordings that provide settlement information for migrants.

With such extensive programmes, they help multiple migrants & former refugees in the community. They also organise free settlement information workshops for migrants. The workshops cover various topics such as employment, health and wellbeing in terms of ACC, Red Cross help during Covid-19 and currently, a workshop that covers visas and individuals’ rights amidst Covid-19.

The Catalytic Foundation is really glad to be able to support the work of the Citizens Advice Bureau Dunedin. We are very thankful for their initiative and services for the community especially to the migrants and refugees.

The recent findings from our Covid-19 Community Needs research has found that community charities need our help now more than ever. Please consider a donation or setting up workplace giving so we can get support to where it's needed most. 

We want to thank the Fiordland Community House for their role in being a “hub of community services” for the Te Anau and Fiordland area.

The services that the Fiordland Community House offers include:  

• Employment services
• Heartland services
• Community Health Shuttle
• Community Family Worker
• Counselling & Office/Meeting room hire
• A variety of community information.

They also provide programmes such as Healthy Eating and Cooking on a Budget for young families. These programmes are well attended and proved to be beneficial for young single mothers who do not have family support in the area.

The community workers are actively involved in assisting the community garden distribution of produce to families in need. The community workers also carry out surveys for residents in the new retirement village so that they can get a better understanding of the social needs.

They often see a lot of changes and challenges in the community. Recently, they have seen an increase of people presenting more complex issues compared to before. They have also seen a rise in the number of individuals experiencing mental health issues due to the stress of unemployment, housing/rental costs, and financial difficulties. To manage the increase of issues, they have employed more staff so that they can assist people in the community experiencing these complex issues.

We at the Catalytic Foundation are glad to be of help to such an amazing charity, who are guiding so many people in our community towards a better and secure future. We would like to thank each, and every one of the members from Fiordland Community House for doing an incredible service to our community.

The recent findings from our Covid-19 Community Needs research has found that community charities need our help now more than ever. Please consider a donation or setting up workplace giving so we can get support to where it's needed most. 

ChatBus Trust is the safe place for children to go when they don’t want to talk or are unable to talk to anyone in their family circle.

ChatBus Trust is based in Dunedin. To be able to assist the youth in the community, ChatBus works with counsellors. In 2020, ChatBus had only 8 counsellors, but that number has since increased to 10. To help the ChatBus cause, the counsellors working with them are:

• Professionally trained to help the youth understand difficult situations, while guiding them through it.
• Based in schools and similar establishments.
• Members of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC).
• Assigned to different communities in Dunedin that require their assistance.

It is very difficult to quantify a changed life, but they have many anecdotal stories of lives that have been changed by their experience at ChatBus. Chatbus is becoming an increasingly essential service requested by and offered by schools so that the children in the community can access counselling.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Chatbus Trust for guiding the kids of the Dunedin community. We know how hard it can be to organise and support such services, and Catalytic Foundation is proud to have supported them and be part of this amazing family.

The recent findings from our Covid-19 Community Needs research has found that community charities need our help now more than ever. Please consider a donation or setting up workplace giving so we can get support to where it's needed most. 

We want to acknowledge the team behind the SuperGrans Dunedin Charitable Trust and the work they do in providing a free, holistic mentoring support service for individuals and families in the community.

The SuperGrans Dunedin Charitable Trust offer a one-on-one home-base support and group workshops to help families develop life skills, enabling people to help themselves. Specifically, they offer classes and programmes in the following:

• Cooking, including understanding and implementing economical shopping, meal planning and food preparation
• Basic sewing, knitting and mending
• Gardening, growing fresh produce to serve on the family table
• Household management and hygiene

Their ‘grans’ (community mentors) come from all walks of life and have life experience and practical skills to share. The mentoring service focuses on knowledge sharing of useful life skills and encouraging sustainable lifestyles. It is based on Te Whare Tapa Wha - the four cornerstones of Māori health. 

We at the Catalytic Foundation are really proud to be able to contribute towards the programmes being run by the SuperGrans Dunedin Charitable Trust. The grant they received has helped to ensure that the charities worthwhile programmes can reach more in the community. 

The recent findings from our Covid-19 Community Needs research has found that community charities need our help now more than ever. Please consider a donation or setting up workplace giving so we can get support to where it's needed most. 

We'd like to acknowledge the team behind the Dunedin Night Shelter for providing free emergency accommodation to both men and women in need.

Located at 18 Lees Street, the Dunedin Night Shelter is open everyday from 6pm until 9am. The people who arrive at their shelter face a lot of challenges and a lack of resources. The Dunedin Night Shelter offers:

• An evening meal
• Showering facilities
• Laundry facilities
• A warm and safe bed for the night
• Breakfast and a chance to pack a lunch for the day. 

The Dunedin Night Shelter staff are made up of community workers. From April 2021 to August 2021, they hosted a total of 97 guests, 22 women and 75 men, for a total of 311 bed nights.

Recently, due to the recent COVID-19 lockdowns, they've had a need to increase the numbers of Night Supervisors. The grant they received through the Catalytic Foundation helped to ensure that the Dunedin Night Shelter was able to remain open, providing 24-hour accommodation under Levels 3 and 4. The Catalytic Foundation are proud to have helped this worthwhile charity, especially during these trying times. 

The recent findings from our Covid-19 Community Needs research has found that community charities need our help now more than ever. Please consider a donation or setting up workplace giving so we can get support to where it's needed most. 

Thanks to all the staff and volunteers of the Otago Neighbourhood Support Charitable Trust for creating unique and tailored safety programmes for your community.

The Otago Neighbourhood Support Charitable Trust is a regional branch of the nationwide charity Neighbourhood Support New Zealand. They work closely with New Zealand Police and like-minded partners to:

• Create safe and caring neighbourhoods
• Prevent crime in our communities
• Build resilience and strengthen community connectedness 
• Improve the quality of life and well-being for all

They provide various programmes and awareness campaigns such as Scam Savvy - an educational programme, providing information and resources to help prevent people from being victims of scams. The course was presented in partnership with a local bank, Age Concern, service clubs and retirement villages to create more awareness.

As Otago Neighbourhood Support Charitable Trust work in association with the local police department, most of their programmes are in response to the reports and crimes recorded in the neighbourhood which makes it more beneficial for the community.

The Catalytic Foundation are happy to have provided a grant to enable the work that you do to help improve the safety, resilience and wellbeing of your residents.

The recent findings from our Covid-19 Community Needs research has found that community charities need our help now more than ever. Please consider a donation or setting up workplace giving so we can get support to where it's needed most. 

Grant applications are open from 1 October to 22 October, 2021.

We are passionate about supporting the work of community charities, iwi and not-for-profit organisations who work hard to build healthy and resilient communities. We invite regional community groups, which meet the criteria, to apply to our annual grant in October this year. 

In the upcoming October funding round, we invite organisations from the following regions to apply: Manawatu/Horowhenua, Whanganui, Canterbury, South Canterbury, Otago and Southland. 

We are thankful to The Tindall Foundation who have chosen the Catalytic Foundation as their donation manager in the above areas and our workplace donors who collectively contribute to our Community Chest for these Grants. We concentrate funding on where it is most needed and will make the greatest difference. 

Priority Areas:

Whanau/Family, Early Years Support, Youth Development, Accommodation/Housing, Food security, Community Services, Refugee/Migrant and Cross-Cultural Communities, Skill Development / Training / Financial Literacy.

Who we fund:

We fund small to medium sized, community-based organisations who do not have large inhouse marketing or fundraising resources. Applications will be considered for project costs and operating expenses including: rent, utilities, salaries/wages. 

We Do Not Fund:

Schools, core early childhood education programmes, Government agencies, art organisations, sport organisations, animal charities, fixed assets or purchases over $3,000, capital projects, sports equipment, overseas travel, medical treatment or individuals, and health organisations (except in Otago).

Online applications only will be accepted after 1 October 2021 and the closing date for applications is 22 October 2021. Applicants will be advised before March 2022 if successful for funding.  Determining eligibility for funding is at the discretion of our regional volunteers and the Catalytic Foundation Board of Trustees.  From the 1st October, please click here to start your application. 

Thank you to the Servants Health Centre in Dunedin for their commitment to providing free medical care to those who need it most. 

Servants Health Centre was initially founded by two doctors and a midwife in 2010. The free clinic is operated by volunteers and helps those people in Dunedin who are struggling financially and cannot afford to pay for healthcare services.

The location of the clinic is strategically placed to benefit the majority of their patients who depend on public transportation. They offer a variety of medical tests and services.

In the last few months alone, the Catalytic Foundation community grant has contributed towards:

• 81% of their patients have received education about smoking and advice on how to quit
• 89% of their patients have had a cardiovascular risk assessment
• 82% of their eligible patients have had a cervical smear
• 76% of their ‘at risk’ patients have had a flu vaccine
• 44% of their patients have had a comprehensive health assessment
• Approximately 425 people living in poverty received free healthcare services

The Catalytic Foundation acknowledge and appreciate the inspirational work done by Servants Health Centre and their volunteers. We are proud to have supported their ability to service patients throughout Dunedin.

The recent findings from our Covid-19 Community Needs research has found that community charities need our help now more than ever. Please consider a donation or setting up workplace giving so we can get support to where it's needed most. 

We'd like to acknowledge Stopping Violence Services (SVS) Christchurch, a specialist provider of non-violence programmes in Canterbury.

SVS is dedicated to ensuring people in the community live a safe and violent free environment, providing support to all, irrespective of age, gender or financial status. They have seen a rising demand for services to help young people in Canterbury who exhibit problematic behaviors impacting the wider whānau, school and general community. Often it stems from complex mental health problems and family issues.

“The complexity of issues young people are presenting with has also increased, with a significant number struggling with anxiety and/ or depression”                                       

    - Stopping Violence Services (SVS) Christchurch    

Every young person referred to SVS is provided personalized support and services based on their specific needs. SVS has various approaches and programmes to suit the individual. One important service is giving access to clinicians who can work to support the young person in a holistic way, linking them to additional specialist services where appropriate.

An ongoing challenge for SVS is the lack of specialist services in rural areas. The Catalytic grant helps to support the work of SVS so that they can help more young people in the Canterbury region. 

We would like to thank SVS for the work they do to help change the lives of young people in Canterbury, which is undoubtedly benefiting families and the wider community.

The recent findings from our Covid-19 Community Needs research has found that community charities need our help now more than ever. Please consider a donation or setting up workplace giving so we can get support to where it's needed most.