Community Response Fund

Supporting the Community Sector Government is developing a fresh approach to funding the community sector over the next 18 months Funds allocated under P2P have been ring-fenced Current service contracts with MSD will be maintained except for time-limited contracts and those terminated for other reasons 850 community groups contracted by MSD will receive a 3.0% inflation adjustment payment.

Responding to the Economic Downturn $104 million contingency fund established for two years with draw down by Cabinet agreement every four months Up to $40 million available in 2009/10 to respond to cost and demand pressures associated with economic downturn - the Community Response Fund $64 million remains in contingency fund for 2010/11

What is the Community Response Fund? A short term, time-limited response to immediate cost and demand pressures arising from the recession It supports critical community-based social services to help our most vulnerable during these tough times

Who Is It For? Community-based critical social services that work directly with families, children, young and older people in the following priority areas: –family violence –child abuse and neglect –budget and financial advice –sexual violence –early intervention for vulnerable and at risk children and families –families under stress –vulnerable and at risk young people –vulnerable and at risk older people Open to all community-based critical social services, including those not funded by MSD Community Response Fund

Two Key Components Financial crisis funding –for those facing SEVERE financial difficulty and can’t maintain their current level of services Demand Funding –for those facing SIGNIFICANTLY increased demand for services –small amount for innovative responses

Specific Criteria Applicants need to show: severe financial difficulty (loss of other non- government funding) due to the economic downturn how additional funds will help maintain current level of services and/or: how additional funds help cope with signficantly increased service demand due to the economic downturn some funding for innovative responses to meeting demand

General Criteria All applicants need to show they: – are a not-for-profit, community-based critical social service providing direct services to families, children, young and older people –work with critical social services in their community or sector –understand the impact of the recession on services in their community –know of no existing capacity in their community to meet the demand for which funding is sought –know the results they are expecting to achieve and can show how they will measure success

What’s Not Covered Ongoing operational costs Pre-existing Community Provider funding or demand issues Community-based primary, secondary or tertiary health education services General information and advice Support for organisations in their public advocacy role Umbrella groups Capital items, for example, computers, vehicles or furniture Pre-existing commitments Funding lost due to poor performance Services that are no longer a government priority

Future Application Rounds Applications can be made at any time Regional assessment panels will meet three times during 2009/10 to assess applications More than one application can be made to the Fund but only after current grant period expired and funds expended

Funding Timetable – first round Applications open 8 June 2009 Applications first round received up to 5pm, 3 July 2009 First regional assessment panels meet 30 July – 21 August 2009 Successful applicants notified from mid September 2009

Selection Process Transparent, equitable and impartial Only made at a regional level Regional panels include representatives from –MSD –Community Representatives –Other relevant government agencies Meet three times during 2009/10 year Not all applications will be successful

How Much? Up to $40 million expected to be available in 2009/10 Maximum grant is $50,000 – with facility for exceptions Grant period will usually be for 12 months, or shorter in some cases Applications prioritised to ensure every dollar spent delivers maximum value

More Information Visit Contact your regional funding adviser, if you are already funded by the Ministry of Social Development us at: Call to speak to a person who can tell you more about the Fund or can send you an application form