Let’s ensure Auckland’s grants system is working well
Howick ward councillor Bo Burns says community grants play an important role across Auckland. File photo
Bo Burns, Howick Ward Councillor
Auckland Council is reviewing its community grants policy for the first time in more than a decade.
With around $25 million distributed in the 2023/24 financial year, it is an important opportunity to ask whether the system is transparent, accountable, and delivering value for Aucklanders.
Community grants play an important role across Auckland, supporting organisations, activities and initiatives that benefit our communities.
But when significant amounts of public money are involved, we also have a responsibility to regularly ask whether the system itself is working as well as it should.
Auckland Council currently operates 11 regional community grant programmes and 21 local board programmes.
Around $25 million was distributed in 2023/24.
Council is now reviewing the policy governing these grants for the first time in more than 10 years.
The current survey is primarily aimed at people and organisations that have applied for funding, received a grant, missed out, or may apply in future.
That’s valuable feedback, but I believe we should go further. I want to know what our wider community and ratepayers think too.
Are we getting value for money? Are regional grants genuinely regional? Should repeat funding face greater scrutiny?
Is there enough transparency across different council funding sources? And are our processes simple and accountable?
I’ve asked council to consider wider public feedback as part of this review, as it’s important for our community and ratepayers to have their say on grants, the amount and the projects/outcomes that are being delivered, and most importantly, in a time where we are in a financial crises, what is essential versus nice to haves!
For those involved with council grants, whether you are a rate payer group, sports club or community organisation, I strongly encourage you to complete the current survey and help shape how the system operates in the future.
Let's ensure Auckland’s grants system is working well - Times