The Hawke's Bay Foundation's funding round for 2017 is now open and it's inviting applications from local community groups.
The Foundation sets out to provide assistance to support groups and communities that are working towards meeting their own needs and have sustainability when the Foundation funding ceases.
Last year the Foundation granted $114,500 to 33 local grassroot groups, from social and community, health, arts and culture and the natural environment sectors.
The aim of the Hawke's Bay Foundation is to put the "community" back into community and in turn create a thriving region, explained Hawke's Bay Foundation chairwoman Jules Nowell-Usticke.
"The Foundation supports grassroot groups that often don't have a high profile but are hard at work building a stronger, more prosperous Hawke's Bay. We want to provide groups with a hand up, not a hand out, so the grants provide some assistance for groups to become more sustainable on their own. Some of the beneficiaries from last year included; Project Prima Volta, Heretaunga Women's Centre, Age Concern, and Zeal."
Community organisations can apply for funding for any charitable activity within the Hawke's Bay region, and they have until the August 31 to submit an application for funding," said Ms Nowell-Usticke.