Level 1 water restrictions are in effect for residents around Lake Hayes. Keep handheld hosing to a minimum, and only use sprinklers between midnight and 6.00am. Find out more information on restrictions.

Friday, 21 February 2025

Funding series workshops launched to support local communities

QLDC, huddl, Three Lakes Cultural Trust, Sport Otago and the Conservation Alliance have joined forces to establish The Funding Series

Queenstown Love

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC), huddl, Three Lakes Cultural Trust, Sport Otago and the Conservation Alliance have joined forces to establish The Funding Series, a collaborative initiative designed to strengthen the capability of non-profit organisations and support sustainable funding strategies.

Fiona Reeve, Project Lead of huddl, a newly formed initiative focused on supporting community groups, acknowledges that funding and fundraising remain significant pressure points for many local organisations.

"huddl's 2024 Community Needs Assessment survey found that over 70% of local non-profits surveyed indicated they were facing challenges within their organisations, with funding being a key issue. We wanted to find practical ways to support groups with tools and a framework to help set them up for long-term success," said Mrs Reeve.

Samantha Kirk, Chief Operating Officer of Three Lakes Cultural Trust, agreed, noting, “The need to better understand and navigate funding was a consistent theme through our consultation on the Te Muka Toi, Te Muka Takata, Creativity, Culture and Heritage Strategy last year with ‘Training and Skills’ becoming a pillar of the strategy as a result. We are thrilled to work with other local groups to help bring this to life.”

Kenneth Bailey, QLDC Community Services General Manager said that by working together, the collective were able to maximise resources and build on existing funding capabilities.

“Sustainable funding is crucial for long-term impact, and we are pleased to support a programme that equips local groups with the skills and knowledge to thrive,” said Mr Bailey.

The Funding Series is open to individuals, groups and organisations who rely on funding or fundraising to support their operations, project or event. 

The series kicks off with Funding Fundamentals, facilitated by fundraising strategists Fi McPhee and Anna Mathieson in Wānaka on 25 March and Queenstown on 26 March. The series is a free ticketed event, sponsored by QLDC.

The Funding Series Full Schedule: 

Funding Fundamentals:

Philanthropic Funding:

  • 9 April, Lake Wānaka Centre, Wānaka, 12.30pm to 1.30pm. 

  • 10 April, Te Atamira, Queenstown, 6.00pm to 8.30pm. 

Building Good Partnerships: Corporates and Non-Profits Working Together:

  • 15 May, Te Atamira, Queenstown, 9.00am to 12.00pm. 

This session is in collaboration with the BforGood Programme, a collaboration between the Wakatipu Community Foundation and the Queenstown Business Chamber of Commerce. Spaces will be limited. 

Funding in Practice  

  • 13 June, Lake Wānaka Centre, Wānaka, 6.00pm to 8.00pm

  • 14 June, Salvation Army Frankton, Queenstown, 6.00pm to 8.00pm

To stay informed of when tickets are available, make sure to follow one of the following, or email: samantha@threelakesculturaltrust.co.nz

ENDS|KUA MUTU.

Media contacts: communications@qldc.govt.nz or call 03 441 1802.

Samantha Kirk: samantha@threelakesculturaltrust.co.nz or call 021 279 4884

Fiona Reeve:  hello@huddl.nz or call 027 237 9304 

FURTHER INFORMATION | Kā pāroko tāpiri

  • Te Muka Toi, Te Muka Tākata l The Creativity, Culture and Heritage Strategy for the Queenstown Lakes District is a strategy to drive activity and investment to realise the full potential of creativity, culture and heritage in Queenstown Lakes District. The Strategy will be a platform for positive change to the way we view, approach and work together to nurture creativity, culture and heritage in our district. It will help us attract and focus resources to the right areas to ensure creativity and culture thrives in our communities. For more details go to www.qldc.govt.nz/creativity-culture-heritage-strategy

  • Conducted by huddl in 2024, the Community Needs Assessment Survey gathered insights from local community and non-profit groups across Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago. The survey aimed to identify the challenges and barriers these organisations face while highlighting opportunities for support.

  • Queenstown Lakes District Council Events Office is engaging with event organisers and the wider community as part of gaining community feedback on its draft Events Policy. For more information and to provide feedback, please visit https://letstalk.qldc.govt.nz/events-policy-2025. Feedback closes 7 March.

The Organisers

  • huddl  

An initiative that aims to strengthen and support community groups, charitable organisations, and networks in Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes. huddl is governed by members from Alexandra Community House, Central Lakes Trust, Central Otago District Council, Cromwell & Districts Community Trust, Queenstown Lakes District Council, Sport Central, Volunteer South, and the Whakatipu Hub. For more information, visit huddl.nz.

  • Three Lakes Cultural Trust 

The Three Lakes Cultural Trust (TLCT) is a registered charitable Trust established in 2019. Recognised as the Queenstown Lakes District regional arts organization, we exist to support and facilitate the building of creativity, culture and heritage through advocacy, connectivity, promotion, infrastructure and capability building, with a vision for the Queenstown Lakes District to be a powerhouse of arts, culture and creativity. For more information, visit www.threelakesculturaltrust.co.nz

  • Sport Otago

Sport Otago is a Regional Sports Trust dedicated to enhancing community wellbeing through physical activity across the Otago region. Operating from Dunedin and three regional offices (Sport Central, Sport Clutha, and Sport Waitaki), Sport Otago works with a diverse range of organisations throughout the region to enable active communities and promote healthy lifestyles, offering a wide range of services, including sport development, education, and training.

  • Conservation Alliance

An informal group of conservation focused entities that are striving to enhance the natural environment across the region.

  • Queenstown Lakes District Council

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is committed to fostering a thriving, connected, and sustainable community. As the local governing body for the Queenstown Lakes District, QLDC supports initiatives that enhance community wellbeing, build resilience, and promote equitable access to resources. Through strategic funding, partnerships, and policy leadership, QLDC works alongside community groups and organisations to create lasting positive impact. For more information, visit www.qldc.govt.nz.