Make-over for COGS revealed

14/6/2005

NOTE: This is an historical archived document. The information is no longer current.

After twenty years of active community service, the Community Organisation Grants Scheme, or COGS as is it better known, has had a make-over.

Following an independent review of COGS systems and processes a few changes are now being implemented to ensure COGS is more transparent and consistent across the country. Within this, enough flexibility will be retained to allow local committees to set their own priorities and respond to the particular needs of their communities.

COGS is a community-driven government-funded scheme and every year more than $12 million of COGS funding is distributed to over 3000 community groups. Its funding priorities are projects that are responding to a locally identified community need, organisations that work with one or more of the COGS priority sectors (i.e. Maori, women, Pacific communities, other ethnic communities, older people, the rurally isolated, people with disabilities, families, youth and children, and unemployed people) and community groups and organisations that have limited access to other government funding.

Applications for COGS funding can be made online and since 1 June COGS the online service, www.cdgo.govt.nz has been made easier for applicants as it is more intuitive and interactive and groups that receive COGS grants can write their accountability reports online.

Community groups have been able to apply online for COGS grants for some years now, but of course, paper applications are still available from Department of Internal Affairs offices or by calling 0800 824 824. Applications for this funding round opened on 1 June and close 29 July

Attached is a list of the newly appointed COGS committee members

Carol Delaney
Communications
Local Government and Community Branch
Department of Internal Affairs
04 495 7298
0274 733 310

Far North Adelaide Harris Alecia Howell Eric Manning Jenny Sutton Marie Martin Paul Andrews Toia Baker Whangarei/Kaipara Isopo (Samu) Samu Hemi Horne Iris Kelly Robert Brownlie Ray Buckley Moengaroa Murray Ngaroimata Le Gros Rodney/North Shore Denise Ganley Tracey Swanberg Pat Field Belinda Greenwood Yvonne Churches Quentin Jukes George Tuinukauafe Jonathan Lee Waitakere City Evelyn Taumaunu Kelvin Martin Alan Blackburn Caroline Perry Lawrence Payne Hassan Hosseini Mereana Tautu Auckland City Lineahi Lund Nathan Niralanathan Kafeba Mundele Kevin Milroy Beverley Harris Georgie Thompson Julie Manahi Great Barrier Island Barbara McGrath Gael Johnson Ralph Golabaski Stephanie Guthrie Manukau Waina Emery Jane Farrelly Timote Liava’a Rose Lythe Rajendaran Naidu Dereck Paora Joy Ramsay Papakura/Franklin Manika Glassie Judith Hull Tuhoe Isaac Wanda Kiel – Rapana Mana Lowe Kuli Taumoefolau Kathleen Walsh Waikato West Nireen Jefferis Kenia Thames-Irvine Brian Curle Hera Haunui Wynae Tukere Valrae Ryan Olga Campbell Hauraki Susan King Stephanie Palmer Jack Tate Stuart Bunn Michael Noonan Bobbie Snow Maureen Mallinson Kirikiriroa/Hamilton Nola Edmond Tureiti Moxom John Tichener Yvonne Wilson David Sloane Larry Guo Lee Pahi Siapu Tyrell South Waikato Elsie Beaver Bev Sturgeon Vicki Ray Chris Taylor Lynette Stafford Elaine Kana Andrea Duncan Kirsty Trueman

Tongariro Pamela McLeod Claire Gianotti Carole Parker Judith Mayer Brenda Pakau Neta Grace Paddy Arahanga Tauranga Moana Mollie Brown Sheryl Wikaire Tim Merrick Garry Watson Graeme Lingard Phillip Hikairo Patricia Railton Rotorua Brian McEntee Paul Haynes Violet Paraki Miriama Roberts Pauline Hikairo Shell Brown John Martin Mataatua Pamela Knight Kathleen Moeke Josephine Mortensen Anthony Olsen Sharon Waitere Sonia Stewart Maraea Ruri Tairawhiti Nona Gaskin Manu Caddie Erena Nepe Margaret Smith Sarah Boyle Wayne Taylor Denys Caves Kahungunuki Heretaunga Kerry Duncan Mere Edwards Cheryl Jackett Te Maari Joe Murray Pederson Jane Poa Taime Samuel Tamatea/Tamaki-nui arua Jocelyn Morrin Patricia Byrne ElizabethFraser-Davies Eva Wright Maureen Smith Alex Czerwonka Rebecca Koberstein North Taranaki Barbara Purdie Isabel O’Donnell Alistair McIlroy Mary Allen Anita Benge Rene Sharman Su Hammond South Taranaki Barrie Smith Elva Thomas Nicolette Horvarth Shirley McGlinchey Judy Kemsley Janine Luke-Taamaru Margaret Mullen Whanganui/Waimarino/Rangitikei Piki Katene Frances Randle Marama Dey Malcolm Rerekura Sandra Terewi Fey Eves Jane Dixon Manawatu/Horowhenua Sandi Elers Janice Gordon Robert Nyamori Dorothy Moore Bill Smith Ros Davies Maree Hill Wairarapa Mena Antonio Hazel Crombie Tony Governer HelenMorris-McTainsh Wenerau Te Kanawa Mareta Daniels Tere Lenihan Whitireia Keith Rowe Ruta Tanielu-Etuale Nualla Calderwood MereanaLee Winterburn Janet Murray William Hollis Hillary Hudson

Hutt Valley Georgina Barrett Audrey Misepeka Gerard Boot Erin McMenamin Tairoa Fong Anne Reed Thomas Cooke Wellington Jenny Ellis Carol Badcock Robyn Mockett Ross Davis Roy Hoerara Brian Hayes Marlborough Karen Starkey John Laing Kiley Nepia Valmai Bank Jane Laing Peter Mirfin Nelson Bays Kindra Douglas Andrea Biggelaar Berylla Jones Phoenix Benikowsky Claire Nichols Susan Gill Maree Hassik Brent Maru West Coast Lela Smith Vickie Sime Shelley Mills Nancy Geer Timothy Mora Alice Cardwell Ian Newcombe Canterbury Rural Ann South-Goldsmith Diane Wall Sharon Johnson Kevin Braun Grant Harris Tania Angell Irihapeti Bullmore Chatham Islands Nicole Hill Patricia Lanauze Shelley Thomas Julie Solomon Christchurch City/Banks Peninsula Gary de Latour Norm Dewes William Jang Annette Le Lievre Blyda Mackey Samuga Poliko Vili Kelly-Ann Marie Brown Aoraki Rex Whiting Jill O’Connor Peter Foley Ken Talbot Lionel Wilson Kathy Calder Bruce Strathern Coastal Otago/Waitaki Michael Ferrari Vivienne Galletly Wale Tobata Antonio Seiuli Jan Walker Margaret Thompson Glenda Kempton Central Otago Susan Symons Leah Webster Raewyn Cochrane Diana Ultee Baden Gilchrist Graeme Hiku Jill MacIntyre Southland Nellie Garthwaite Lynette Neilson Christine Felton Susan Tomlinson Mouat James Cairns Claire Horrell Sumaria Benton Don Mowa

Backgrounder

What is COGS?
The Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS) was established nearly 20 years ago to provide support to non-profit, voluntary and community organisations. Since then more than 40,000 grants totaling almost $200 million have been distributed nation wide.

COGS is a community-driven government-funded scheme – an example of the community and government working together to build strong, sustainable communities, and to provide strong social services.

Every year, over $12 million of COGS funding is distributed to more than 3000 community groups.

Most grants are for $3000 or less, and contribute to ongoing running costs (such as rent, travel, volunteer and administration expenses), to hosting hui, fono or community workshops, or toward project development costs.

Thirty-seven Local Distribution Committees, whose members are all volunteers, consider and make decisions on grant applications from groups within their local communities. The Local Government and Community Branch of the Department of Internal Affairs administer the committees.

New committee members have recently been appointed and will begin their first funding round in August of this year. Applications for funding open on 1 June 2005 and close on 29 July 2005.

Backgrounder

Applying for COGS funding
From 1 June 2005, community organisations may apply for funding by entering an online application on www.cdgo.govt.nz, or by requesting a paper application from a Local Government and Community Branch office of the Department of Internal Affairs or phone 0800 824 824. Applications for funding open on 1 June 2005 and close on 29 July 2005.

COGS funding priorities

• Projects that are responding to a locally identified need in the community.
• Projects or services initiated by local community groups and organisations.
• Projects or organisations that work with one or more of the COGS priority sectors (i.e. Maori, women, Pacific communities, other ethnic communities, older people, the rurally isolated, people with disabilities, families, youth and children, and unemployed people).
• Community groups and organisations that have limited access to other government funding.

What COGS grants may be used for

• The costs of running community organisations that provide community based social services. This may include wages, training, reimbursing volunteers’ expenses, rent, power, telephone, travel costs, postage, photocopying etc.
• Community development project costs such as hui, training, planning, travel, evaluation and facilitator fees.
• Running community projects and events that:
• encourage participation in communities
• promote community leadership and/or
• promote social, economic and cultural equity.
• National and regional organisations may apply for funding, but will need to show that there is a direct benefit to the local community, and for projects or services that are provided locally.

What COGS grants may NOT be used for

• Capital items such as land, building/alterations, plant and machinery, vehicles, furniture and office equipment.
• Duplicating existing services, unless there is a good reason for both services to exist.
• Social functions.
• Political advocacy.
• Activities or programmes taking place outside of New Zealand.
• Retrospective funding for activities that have already happened by the application closing date.

Funding limits
Groups MUST be legal entities, for example an incorporated society or charitable trust, to receive grants of over $5000. Groups that are not legal entities may apply for a maximum of $5000.

What happens after you apply?
Either the Local Government and Community Branch advisor or a COGS committee member may contact you to discuss your application. The COGS committee will consider applications and make their decisions, generally within three months of the closing date.

Accountability requirements
If you receive a grant, you will be required to complete an accountability report. The Department of Internal Affairs may audit grant recipients, and require any grant funding that is not accounted for be paid back.