There’s still time for communities to have their say

1/4/2008

Community groups have until 4 April 2008 to nominate a leader in their community to serve on a Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS) local distribution committee and to register to vote in the coming elections.

COGS funding provides essential support to non-profit, voluntary and community organisations across New Zealand.

Participating in the COGS elections gives community organisations a chance to contribute to establishing local funding priorities for years to come.

There are 37 COGS volunteer local distribution committees that represent communities throughout New Zealand.

Elections for new committee members are held every three years and registered community organisations can vote for candidates within their area.

Elected community representatives help to identify those who are in need of assistance, consider applications for funding and allocate grants.

COGS funding is available for non-profit organisations that deliver community services or run community projects and the average grant is $3000.

In 2007, $11.5 million of COGS funding was distributed to 3,587 community organisations.

Since its inception in 1986 COGS has allocated $225 million of grants to community and voluntary organisations.

More information on COGS and the local distribution committee elections is available at www.dia.govt.nz or by freephone 0800 824 824, 8am - 5pm Monday to Friday.