Quarter of a million up for grabs for charities through Vodafone NZ Foundation

Vodafone New Zealand Foundation is calling on registered charities to apply for $250,000 of innovation grants.

The foundation says it has a goal to halve the number of excluded and disadvantaged young people in New Zealand, and wants to hear from programmes that empower youth - ranging from systems level change to individual youth development projects and technology projects.
 
"According to Treasury New Zealand, there are 210,000 children and young people who do not have access to the resources and support they need to grow into the great adults they want to be," explains Vodafone NZ Foundation manager Linn Araboglos.

"We want to change that," she says.

Since its inception, the Vodafone NZ Foundation has awarded over $27m worth of grants to a range of charities
 
"What we want to fund are innovative projects that create better outcomes for our focus groups young people ages 12-24 who have interacted with the justice system, who have state care experience, who have been long term beneficiaries, excluded from mainstream schooling or who are not engaged in education, employment or training." Araboglos explains.

"We also have a desire to fund self-determined projects with outcomes that will benefit Māori rangatahi and whānau."
 
Grants will be awarded to innovative projects that are aligned to the foundation's strategy, generate outcomes in one or more of the foundation's five key areas, and utilise technology.
 
Registered charities can apply online for the grants up until 15 November.

For projects seeking under $50,000, visit the website here. 
For projects seeking over $50,000 in funding, contact Vodafone NZ Foundation grants advisor, Helen Anderson by emailing helen.anderson@vodafone.com

"The Vodafone NZ Foundation has a vision to see all young people in Aotearoa New Zealand living lives they value," says Linn.

"With their energy and creativity, together with the right support, young people can achieve truly amazing things. We are dedicated to creating a thriving and prosperous Aotearoa, where all young people can live lives they value, which is why we're on a 10 year, $20 million journey to transform the lives of young Kiwis.