0
Organisations
0
Grants Provided
0
$2.4M+ in Funding Provided
0
Originally Founded

About

 
We provide financial assistance via Annual Grants to Registered Charities assisting the elderly in Canterbury.

The Past

The Manchester Unity Welfare Trust Board, which was previously known as the Manchester Unity Welfare Homes Trust Board, was originally founded in 1966 by the North Canterbury District of Manchester Unity Friendly Society and Age Concern Canterbury with assistance from the NZ Government and South Christchurch Rotary, to provide residential and hospital care for the elderly in Christchurch. This resulted in a very prominent care facility being established, known as George Manning House which still operates very successfully today.

However with the provision of numerous private facilities and Government subsidies for residential and hospital care, the necessity for the Manchester Unity Welfare Homes Trust Board to continue was greatly reduced and the facility was sold in 2006 resulting in a considerable Trust Fund.

The Trust So Far

A change to the original Trust Deed was permitted by order of the High Court and the objects along with the name were changed. This allowed The Manchester Unity Welfare Trust Board to invest funds in accordance with the Trustees Act 1956 and the income paid to such charities registered under the Charitable Trust Act 1957 or the Incorporated Societies Act 1908 or the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 and exempt from income tax by the Inland Revenue Department, to assist the elderly in Christchurch and Canterbury.

Since providing financial support from 2011, Board Members have approved 150 grants to 37 organisations with a total funding (to date: March 2025) of over $2.4 million, towards projects assisting the elderly.

 

Our Future

Following a study into the needs of the elderly community in Canterbury undertaken by Barrer & Co in 2023-24, Manchester Unity Welfare Trust Board’s granting focus for the 2025 grant round is “Improving the Health and Wellbeing of the Elderly”.

The Trust will therefore prioritise grants towards organisations, projects, or activities that:

Provide care, services, and support for elderly with physical and mental health needs.
Improve the mental and physical health outcomes for elderly through health promotion and disease or illness prevention.
Improve the wellbeing and social connectedness of elderly who are vulnerable to social isolation or face barriers to inclusion.
Read our full strategy for 2024-2026 in full here for more information about our granting focus and approach to funding.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Grant process commences in March. Applications close at the end of April.
No. All applications must be from organisations that meet the criteria as set out on the application form.
The funding would cover the time period noted in the application, which generally would be within a year, however the Board will consider an extension if requested.
No. All projects are to be priced GST exclusive
The Board meets late May or early June to decide on the applications. Applicants are advised by the end of June
Grants are generally paid by the end of June or early July.
Yes. An Organisation applying for funding must be registered under the Charitable Trust Act 1957 or the Incorporated Societies Act 1908 or the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 and exempt from income tax.
Within our funding area of Canterbury, including areas south of Kaikōura and north of Ashburton.
For more information about our current granting focus and approach to funding, please see our full strategy for 2024-2026 here

Quote

Contact us

If you would like to apply for funding for your project helping the elderly, please fill in the form below, otherwise email us directly using the email address provided.

"*" indicates required fields