WBS offers cash grants Round 2

Pictured is Hōkai Tahi service manager, Rebecca Vergunst, left, and Board chair, Lucy Griffiths.

The final WBS grant funding round for 2023 is open now for the month of October. 

Earlier this year, WBS committed $150,000 to the Wairarapa community over two years, as part of its 150-year celebrations. This funding is being allocated, through the WBS Charitable Trust, across two annual funding rounds, in April and October.

WBS chief executive John Healy said grants and sponsorship are vital to the organisation’s purpose and he’s looking forward to seeing the line-up of applications for the next funding round.

“Community focus is one of our pillars, and it aligns with our purpose of helping the community prosper,” he said.

 Over the past financial year WBS supported a total of 58 local organisations through grants and sponsorship. So far this year,  it has already supported 33, with the October grant round result to come.

Applications should fall within the following categories: arts and culture, sports and recreation, environment and sustainability, education, and community support.

“Our members, those who invest with us, not only get the satisfaction of competitive rates but can also feel-good knowing that they’re helping support our community. That’s a major point of difference for us, compared to mainstream banks.”

Organisations seeking support will be able to submit applications through the WBS website: www.wbs.net.nz/.