Local funders (TECT, BayTrust, Acorn), along with Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council and SociaLink are inviting community organisations to explore new ways of working together. Our goal is to encourage collaboration and partnerships across the sector so that services are joined-up rather than duplicated, and to support organisations to operate more efficiently and sustainably in a changing funding environment.
A Strong History of Collaboration
The Western Bay of Plenty has a strong history of innovative collaboration. During the Covid-19 pandemic, local funders were one of only two regions in Aotearoa to coordinate collaborative emergency funding. Today, shared initiatives continue, including:
- Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund
- Kaupapa Māori Event Fund
- Bay of Plenty Housing Equity Fund
- Western Bay Community Awards
- Shared resources across local funders
The Changing Funding Landscape
The funding landscape is changing. Local funders and councils are unable to cover the shortfall left by reduced central government funding, so business-as-usual operations will not be sustainable for many organisations. Boards and managers recognise the need to adjust how their organisations operate, and we are already seeing the benefits of some innovative local collaborations.
Why Partnering Works
Partnering can offer many benefits:
- Greater efficiency through shared resources
- Stronger funding applications with a collective voice
- More coherent and integrated service delivery for communities
- Enhanced wellbeing for staff and volunteers
- Opportunities for innovation, shared learning, and expanded reach
Local Examples
Youth services provider, Te Aranui Youth Trust partnered with the Bay of Plenty Youth Development Trust to co-locate, share a Board, and offer a pipeline of services for young clients. Both organisations keep their distinct identity while continuing to receive funding individually. Read more
Bay Conservation Alliance supports volunteer-run conservation groups by providing back-office services, enabling them to meet their charitable obligations with minimal time spent on administration and operations. Bay Conservation receives funding to deliver these services to over 30 member organisations, while the members continue to receive funding for their on-the-ground mahi. Read more
Encouraging New Partnerships
To encourage further collaboration and partnerships, the WBOP funders and councils are offering additional funding support separate from business-as-usual funding, and SociaLink will also provide support as required.
Proposals could seek to:
- reduce operational expenses across organisations,
- offer better support to vulnerable communities, or
- provide back-office resources to enable volunteer groups to focus on their mahi.
Support may include:
- manager release,
- professional services (legal, admin, hui facilitation), or
- additional staffing hours.
We invite Trustees and Managers to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) if you are keen to explore new ways of working. Expressions made together by two or more organisations will be given priority consideration.
We’d love to hear your ideas. Complete the EOI form using the link below, or contact SociaLink at collaboration@socialink.org.nz to have a kōrero about how you might work together.
While there is no closing date, early applications are encouraged, as funding for selected collaborations is limited.
