Capability Investment Fund

There’s no doubt that volunteers and not-for-profit community organisations make up the heartbeat of Southland– sharing their resources, passion and time to support our communities to thrive.

Recognising that this pivotal support is often provided on a shoestring or generosity-based budget, the Southland Business Chamber is committed to providing not-for-profit community organisations and local businesses with affordable access to training.  

This commitment has been strengthened for the coming year with a $15,000 general grant from Community Trust South enabling the Chamber to establish a Capability Investment Fund, and continue running its Building Capability Series of training workshops. 

The newly established Capability Investment Fund gives local charities and not-for-profit organisations the opportunity to apply for capability co-funding to attend training offered by the Southland Business Chamber.

This fund replicates the model used by the Regional Business Partner Programme, where applications are assessed against agreed criteria to determine eligibility for partial payment towards the cost of capability development and training (up to $3,000 per annum for not-for-profits with up to 49 staff, and $1,500 for those with up to 19 staff). 

To be eligible to apply for the Capability Investment Fund, applicants must be a not-for-profit organisation (includes charity, Inc. society, community group and non-government organisations) located in Community Trust South district, be a registered New Zealand business that has been trading for at least 12 months, have less that 50 employees and have a desire to build organisational capability.