Applications open for next round of Factory funding

14 Sept, 2021

JULIA WADE

Despite Covid-19 placing the country under another lockdown and halting life for many, the ongoing pandemic has failed to stop the flow of cash from a local charity organisation’s mission to finance community-driven projects.

Mangawhai Community Opportunity Shop Trust (MCOST) aka ‘The Factory’, is now open to receive applications for the next round of grants, the organisations eighth round since its launch in 2017.

MCOST spokesperson Dianne Christensen says the trust wanted to ensure people were aware that there are funds still available after the recent Covid lockdown.

“Thanks to all the wonderful donations, superb shopping and our fabulous management and volunteer team, we’re welcoming grants once again,” she says.

“Forms and information are all available on our website as well as contact details if you have any queries or want to discuss whether your application will fit the criteria.”

Earlier this year the popular second-hand store reached a milestone when the number of grants hit one hundred, adding up to a total of $300,800 gifted since the Factory’s first funding round in February 2018.

A wide range of socially-valuable projects, applied for by both groups and individuals, have benefitted from financial support from the Factory, which also includes a category aimed solely for Mangawhai’s younger residents, the Youth Achievement Grant.

Local schoolgirl and horse lover Abbie Atkins was the first recipient in November 2020, showing leadership potential and mentorship towards younger riders at Kaiwaka’s Totally Horse riding facility [Focus Nov 23, 2020].

The grant provides assistance for youth whose passion, commitment and future potential for an activity could otherwise go unfulfilled due to various factors including financial hardship.

Besides the perpetual cycle of proceeds from the sale of used items going back into the community, the ‘what-goes-around-comes-around’ notion is also apparent with the recipients, Christensen says.

“For example, we gave a grant to the pony club and they have given horse manure to the community garden which give produce to Te Whai Community Trust who manage a food bank and look after local families in need. Both Te Whai and the gardens have received Factory grants in previous rounds,” she says.

“Mangawhai Football Club are also grant recipients and they’ve asked their members to donate their used sports goods to us, and Mangawhai Community Patrol bought uniforms with their grant and they most likely check on some of these places, as well as the Factory! So some great, round-in-circle type stuff.”

The Factory is currently open Monday-Saturday 9am-4pm and welcomes all saleable items, as well as new volunteers. If interested in becoming part of the friendly team, please pop into the Factory or call 431 3098 and ask for the manager Vicki or one of the shop floor supervisors.

n For more information about applying for the next round of grants in September, please visit mangawhaiopportunityfactory.co.nz
 

What goes around comes around: The magical alchemy of Mangawhai’s The Factory, where second-hand goods transform into cash for community projects. Applications are now open for the next round of grants.