Grants Update – November 2021

Funding for Playcentres

Top Tip for November

** Apply early for your funding. Most funders have a funding advisor who reads the applications, makes recommendations and then passes them on to the decision making committee. The advisor is also responsible for liaising with community organisations, so that your applications have the best chance of success.

While you are allowed to submit applications right up to the last minute, it is in your best interest to apply as early as possible. This gives the funding advisor an opportunity to consider your application and come back to you with any questions or points that need clarifying before the deadline is reached. If your application arrives on their desk 5 minutes before close-off, there is no opportunity for improvement before your application gets passed through.

It is also important to realise that some funders start preliminary granting as the applications come in. If you leave your application until the last minute, you may find that all the money has been distributed before your application even arrives. **

Upcoming Funding Rounds

** Please note: Always check-in with individual funders BEFORE YOU APPLY. While every effort has been made to ensure information given is correct at the time of publication, funding availability and other details may change frequently. **

Some funds are on hold during the COVID-19 lockdown and funds currently open may be subject to change. Many of these are venues that rely on pokie machines for their funds. However, most community foundations are still operating as their funds come from investments, so these may be options to look at along with Rotary and your local Lions (different to the Lion Foundation).

Young Peoples Fund – Porirua City – Closes 5 Nov

https://poriruacity.govt.nz/services/community-support/children-young-people-funding/

Children 0-24 years. Increasing resilience with a focus on strengthening social connections and proof that your project will see future delivery enhanced or expanded. 50% contribution from your centre, however in kind support can count.

Coast Initiatives Fund – Opotiki Coast – always open

https://www.odc.govt.nz/our-district/community-grants/coast-fund

Education and training resulting in ongoing benefit or increased opportunities to the coast community. Community events.

Community Trust South ECE Playground Funding– Southland – always open

https://www.communitytrustsouth.nz/what-we-fund/

Can apply once every five years.

Lottery National Community Fund Results

We have once again been successful in getting $160,000 in funding from the Lottery National Community Fund. The feedback was that it was a strong application, however there was an increase in those applying so the amount we got was unable to increase.

I have reviewed each of the 170 centre applications, looked at number of sessions open, funds in the bank, children enrolled, location to other funding options (rural/urban) and consulted with Centre Advisors to ensure that the most vulnerable centres out of the 170 that applied get the support they need. Funds were paid to centres on Friday 22 October and centres have been emailed to remind them what the grant must be spent on.

I would like to give a special shout out to Herne Bay Playcentre who chose to withdraw their application so that our vulnerable centres, many of which have less than $8,000 in their bank, can remain open, and I thank them for doing this. I would also like to thank those centres that applied for $1,000 or less each, you greatly helped in ensuring as fair a distribution of funds as possible.

Although no grant is ever guaranteed ,the process for 2022 will be for our most vulnerable centres to be identified, in consultation with their centre advisors, so that the bulk of our application is supporting those most in need with requests of $1500-2000 per centre. Depending on numbers, other centres may then also be able to apply for smaller amounts (up to $500). Based on this, please be aware that the Lottery Fund may not be an option for your centre next year. I know this will be disappointing for many who have been successful with Lottery in the past, however I hope this will give you time to plan.

Shout Out

If you have a ‘Shout Out’ you would like featured as a thank you to a funder who has supported your Centre, please email Tonya on [email protected]

I am passionate about supporting centres with their grant funding applications. Some of the areas I can help with are – provide an affiliation letter or Spotlight report, point you in the direction of who might be suitable to apply to, help you with some benefits and outcomes or be there for struggling centres that need a lot of help with their application. You can email me on [email protected]

Tonya Bristow

Discounts for Playcentres

This section contains information about discounts or offers for Centres. It does not constitute endorsement and these offers are not for individual members.

Coming soon is a “Discounts for Playcentres” page on the members section of the website. If you have a business you would like us to approach and ask for a discount for Playcentre, please email Tonya on [email protected]

Red Cross are offering centres a 10% discount off the retail rates for Red Cross Essential (6402, 6401), Comprehensive (6402, 6401, 6400) and Revalidation courses. To take advantage of the discounts, centres must complete a credit application form (email [email protected] or [email protected] for a copy). Your centre will then be linked to Playcentre Aotearoa and you will also be given access to an online booking portal. 

6402 and 6401 are the NZQA unit standards needed by MoE. Additional courses, online learning and exclusive courses can be provided on request. Exclusive courses are for a minimum of 10 participants and maximum of 18 per class. 

If a centre member needs to complete first aid training, we would encourage you to use Red Cross. https://first-aid.redcross.org.nz/book-course/

Playcentres can sign up for a Tonic Magazine subscription. The usual cost for one organisation is $99 and includes:

• 4 x issues (February, May, August and November)
• 48 Issues of Tonic Club email newsletter
• 10% discount of any workshops (for anyone in the organisation)
• Free funding wallplanner in the November issue

If a few centres would like to subscribe they can offer a bulk discount:

• 2-5 centres subscribing: $84.10 per subscription (15% discount)
• 6-9 centres subscribing: $79.20 per sub (20% discount)
• 10+ centres subscribing: $69.30 per sub (30% discount)

They normally only offer these rates if they can ship the magazines in bulk to one address, but for Playcentre, they’re happy to offer the bulk rates and send the magazines out to each individual centre who subscribes. You can request a free copy of the magazine to see what is included by emailing [email protected].

 Ecostore continue to honour the special arrangement with Playcentre whereby they make their products available to Playcentre at wholesale.

The wholesale rates especially for bulk sizes are a lot cheaper than the regular retail prices for Ecostore products so Centres are guaranteed a good deal.

Ecostore usually require an order minimum of $200 for wholesale orders and charge freight to deliver the products to wholesale customers.

Under their special Playcentre offer, the minimum order amount is reduced to $75 (very achievable) and they deliver the products to the Centre freight free nationwide.

Please note that they do require orders in full carton quantities if Centres are ordering our retail size products. This means you can’t just order one bottle of hand wash 425ml for example, but will have to take a whole box of 3 bottles.

This does NOT apply to the commercial 5L and 20L sizes which can be ordered as individual bottles.

To place a wholesale order centres will need to email their customer service team directly ([email protected]) – an online portal is being developed.

To become a wholesale customer of Ecostore, all the Centre has to do is contact our customer service team ([email protected]), complete the account application and then ensure that your order volume meets the $75 per order threshold. EASY!  

Discounted rates for their reusable cups are available for Playcentres at $8.50 + GST per cup. In order to receive the discount, email Fiona McAllister (Office Manager) at [email protected].

https://idealcup.co.nz/ 04 282 0494

To access discounts for products being used at your Playcentre, take a letter from your Playcentre explaining the paint project/expected paint/product needed (approximate is fine) into your local Resene owned ColorShop and ask for the EC41 Playcentre discount. The discount depends on the products you buy – your local Resene owned ColourShop will talk you through options.  E.g. for some, if you don’t care about the colour, you could look at mistints.

The Playcentre Shops

CANTERBURY

10% off everything in store (excludes PC branded items and clearance items)

Find them online at https://playcentreshop.co.nz/, call them on 03 377 4354 or visit them at 17 Buchan Street, Sydenham, Christchurch from Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm.

They also have a Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/theplaycentreshop/

When you order online for your Centre, make sure you select ‘pre-approved account’ so that the discount can be applied by the shop when processing the order. If you pay by credit card, there is no discount.

Centre members and members of the public are also welcome to buy from the shop either in person or online, however, the discount will not apply.

TARANAKI

10% off everything in store (excludes PC branded items and clearance items)

You can visit them at 33 Rimu Street, Inglewood on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11am to 3pm and outside these hours by arrangement, call them on 06 756 7570 or check them out on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/taranakiplaycentreshop

Each term a different area of play will get a 15% discount. Term 3 is dress ups.

Playcentres nationwide can access our commercial rates through this channel. These rates are not offered in any retail stores.

With expert support available at the end of the phone, Alistair and Nathan will swiftly become an indispensable business resource. You can make an online payment for your items and we can then deliver direct to your Playcentre (for a small fee) or you can pick up from your local store (no cost).

Get in touch with Alistair or Nathan for pricing or consultation.

Technology and Computers

Laptops, Desktops, Monitors, Tablets, Mobile Phones, Cameras, Printers, Security, Networking

Alistair Bryce

P: +64 3 367 7587 | Ext 75887
M: +64 22 499 0079

E: [email protected]

Electrical Appliances & Home Living 

TV’s, Audio, Whiteware, Kitchen Appliances, Furniture, Bedding

Nathan Lee

P: +64 3 363 5910 | Ext 615009
M: +64 21 243 1008
E: [email protected]